JP2017004751A - Fuel cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell module which maintains adhesion of laminated members provided in a fuel cell stack while inhibiting cost increase.SOLUTION: A fuel cell module M1 according to one embodiment includes a fuel cell stack 10 and a fuel processing part 50. The fuel cell stack 10 has cells 11 laminated in a vertical direction and generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas. The fuel processing part 50 has: a vaporization part 60 in which a raw fuel is vaporized to generate a raw fuel gas; and a modified part 80 in which the fuel gas is generated from the raw fuel gas. The fuel processing part 50 is provided on the fuel cell stack 10 and applies a load to the fuel cell stack 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module.

  In general, the fuel cell stack has a laminated structure having a plurality of laminated members such as a plurality of cells, manifolds, current collector plates and the like. In a fuel cell stack having such a laminated structure, in order to maintain the airtightness of a plurality of laminated members, to prevent thermal deformation of the laminated members, and to strengthen the adhesion between the laminated members A structure in which a plurality of laminated members are bonded or fastened may be employed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  However, even if a plurality of laminated members are bonded or fastened, due to a temperature change caused by starting and stopping of the fuel cell stack, the plurality of laminated members are deformed and the adhesion of the plurality of laminated members is impaired. There is.

  Even when a fastening structure for fastening a plurality of laminated members is adopted, the fastening member and the laminated members do not completely coincide with each other in thermal expansion. May change. Furthermore, when a metal is used for the fastening member, the fastening member may creep during a long operation of the fuel cell stack, and the fastening force of the fastening member may be loosened. On the other hand, when a material other than metal, such as ceramic, is used for the fastening member, there is a problem that it becomes very expensive.

JP 2011-76762 A JP 2010-25151 A JP 2004-253320 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module capable of maintaining the adhesion of a plurality of laminated members provided in a fuel cell stack while suppressing an increase in cost. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell module according to claim 1 has a plurality of stacked members stacked in a vertical direction, and generates power by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas. A stack, a vaporization unit that vaporizes the raw fuel to generate raw fuel gas, and a reforming unit that generates the fuel gas from the raw fuel gas, and is provided on the upper side of the fuel cell stack. And a fuel processing unit for applying a load to the fuel cell stack.

  According to this fuel cell module, the fuel processing unit having the vaporization unit and the reforming unit is provided on the upper side of the fuel cell stack, and the load of the fuel processing unit is applied to the fuel cell stack. Therefore, since the load of the fuel processing unit having a constant weight is applied to the fuel cell stack, the adhesion of the plurality of laminated members provided in the fuel cell stack can be maintained.

  In addition, in order to obtain a load for bringing a plurality of laminated members into close contact with each other, not a dedicated fastening structure using a fastening member or the like but a fuel processing part having a vaporization part and a reforming part is used, thereby increasing the cost. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, as described in claim 2, the fuel cell module according to claim 1, further comprising a metal multi-pipe structure having a vertical direction as an axial direction, wherein the fuel processing unit includes the multi-pipe structure. It may be formed by.

  According to this fuel cell module, the fuel processing section is formed by a multiple tube structure having the vertical direction as the axial direction. Therefore, since the structure of the fuel processing unit can be simplified, the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the fuel processing unit is formed of a metal multi-pipe structure, it is easy to set the weight of the fuel processing unit. Therefore, the load applied to the fuel cell stack can be appropriately set when designing the multi-pipe structure. Can be set.

  Further, as described in claim 3, in the fuel cell module according to claim 2, the multi-tube structure is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a central portion of the fuel cell stack is formed by the multi-tube structure. It may be located on the central axis.

  According to this fuel cell module, the multiple tube structure is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the center portion of the fuel cell stack is located on the central axis of the multiple tube structure. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the load in a balanced manner from the fuel processing unit formed by the multi-tube structure to the fuel cell stack. Thereby, the some laminated member provided in the fuel cell stack can be stuck in good balance.

  In addition, as described in claim 4, in the fuel cell module according to claim 2 or 3, the fuel cell stack is accommodated below the fuel processing unit, and the multiple tube structure is provided. A receiving portion having multiple receiving walls formed by the lower part of the body is provided, and the multiple receiving walls are more easily deformed in the axial direction of the receiving portion than other portions of the receiving walls. A deformation part may be formed.

  According to this fuel cell module, the housing portion for housing the fuel cell stack is provided below the fuel processing portion, and the multiple housing walls constituting the housing portion include other housing walls. An easily deformable portion that is easier to deform in the axial direction of the accommodating portion than the portion is formed. Therefore, during high temperature operation, the multiple storage walls softened by heating with the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack cannot support the weight of the fuel processing unit, and each storage wall starts from the easily deformable portion. Deformed. Thereby, since all the loads of a fuel processing part are added to a fuel cell stack, the some laminated member provided in the fuel cell stack can be stuck more closely.

  Further, as described in claim 5, in the fuel cell module according to claim 4, the easily deformable portion may be a bead formed on the housing wall.

  According to this fuel cell module, since the easily deformable portion is configured by the beads formed on the housing wall, the housing wall can be easily deformed starting from this bead.

  In addition, since the beads formed on the multiple accommodation walls also serve as a bellows that absorbs the difference in thermal expansion between the multiple accommodation walls, thermal stress due to the difference in thermal expansion between the multiple accommodation walls can be reduced.

  In addition, since a bead formed by bending or bending the housing wall is used, manufacturing is easier and cost can be reduced compared to a bellows in which a part of the housing wall is thin.

  Moreover, as described in claim 6, in the fuel cell module according to claim 5, the bead may be formed over the entire circumference of the housing wall.

  According to this fuel cell module, the bead is formed over the entire circumference of the housing wall. Accordingly, during high temperature operation, the housing wall is deformed over the entire circumference starting from the bead, so that the load of the fuel processing unit can be evenly applied to the fuel cell stack.

  Further, as described in claim 7, in the fuel cell module according to claim 5 or 6, a gas flow path through which the oxidant gas or the fuel gas flows is provided between the multiple housing walls. It may be formed.

  According to this fuel cell module, the gap between the multiple accommodation walls is used as a gas flow path through which the oxidant gas or the fuel gas flows, so that the configuration of the accommodation portion can be simplified.

  In addition, as described in claim 8, in the fuel cell module according to claim 7, the gas flow path is spirally formed by forming the bead in a spiral shape along a circumferential direction of the housing wall. It may be formed in a shape.

  According to this fuel cell module, the gas flow path is formed in a spiral shape by forming the bead in a spiral shape along the circumferential direction of the housing wall. Accordingly, since the oxidant gas or the fuel gas flows spirally through the gas flow path, the temperature distribution of the multiple containing walls forming the gas flow path can be made uniform. As a result, the temperature of the fuel cell stack is uniformly maintained, so that the performance of the fuel cell stack can be improved and the difference in thermal expansion between the multiple accommodation walls can be reduced.

  In addition, as described in claim 9, in the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 5 to 8, the bead formed on one of the multiple storage walls, The bead formed on the other storage wall among the multiple storage walls is formed at the same position in the axial direction of the storage wall and protrudes on the same side in the radial direction of the storage wall. May be.

  According to this fuel cell module, the bead formed on one housing wall and the bead formed on the other housing wall are formed at the same position in the axial direction of the housing wall, and the radial direction of the housing wall Convex on the same side. Therefore, even when each bead is compressed and deformed under the load of the fuel processing unit, it is possible to prevent the bead and the receiving wall from interfering with each other and the beads from interfering with each other. Thereby, while being able to suppress that the gas flow path formed between the multiple accommodation walls is obstruct | occluded, it can also suppress that the compression deformation of an accommodation wall is inhibited.

  Further, according to claim 10, in the fuel cell module according to claim 9, a fuel gas supply for supplying the fuel gas from the reforming unit to the fuel cell stack inside the housing unit A pipe may be provided, and a corrugated pipe may be used as the fuel gas supply pipe.

  According to this fuel cell module, the corrugated pipe is used as the fuel gas supply pipe provided inside the housing portion. Therefore, even when the multiple housing walls are deformed starting from the bead and the fuel gas supply pipe is bent and deformed, the fuel gas supply pipe can be prevented from being crushed. Thereby, supply of the fuel gas from the reforming unit to the fuel cell stack can be ensured.

  Further, as described in claim 11, in the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the multiple accommodation walls include side wall portions extending in an axial direction of the accommodation walls; An upper wall portion extending radially inward of the side wall portion from the upper end portion of the side wall portion and formed with the bead, and the bead formed on the upper wall portion of the multiple containing wall; The bead formed on the upper wall portion of the multiple containing wall is formed at the same position in the radial direction of the upper wall portion, and protrudes on the same side in the thickness direction of the upper wall portion. It may be made.

  According to this fuel cell module, the bead formed on one upper wall portion and the bead formed on the other upper wall portion are formed at the same position in the radial direction of the upper wall portion, and the upper wall Convex on the same side in the thickness direction of the part. Therefore, even when each bead is bent and deformed under the load of the fuel processing unit, it is possible to prevent the bead and the upper wall portion from interfering with each other and the beads from interfering with each other. Thereby, it can suppress that the gas flow path formed between the upper wall part of a multiple accommodation wall is obstruct | occluded, and can also suppress that the deformation | transformation of an upper wall part is inhibited.

  In addition, as described in claim 12, in the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 4 to 11, the fuel processing unit is configured to burn stack exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack. It may have a combustion part by which combustion exhaust gas is generated.

  According to this fuel cell module, since the fuel processing unit includes the combustion unit in addition to the vaporization unit and the reforming unit, the weight of the fuel processing unit can be increased by the amount of the addition of the combustion unit. Thereby, a larger load can be applied to the fuel cell stack.

  In addition, as described in claim 13, in the fuel cell module according to claim 12, the vaporizing section includes multiple cylindrical walls formed by the multiple tube structure and the multiple cylindrical shapes. Between the walls, there are a flue gas passage through which the flue gas flows, and a vaporization passage in which the raw fuel is vaporized by heat exchange with the flue gas and the raw fuel gas is generated, and the reforming And a combustion chamber in which the combustion exhaust gas flows between the multiple cylindrical walls, and is provided on the lower side of the vaporization unit, and has multiple cylindrical walls formed by the multiple tube structure. An exhaust gas flow path, and a reforming flow path that communicates with the vaporization flow path and uses the heat of the combustion exhaust gas to reform the raw fuel gas to generate the fuel gas, , The reforming portion and the accommodating portion in the multi-pipe structure. And a combustion chamber in which the stack exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack is burned and the combustion exhaust gas is generated inside the peripheral wall portion. Also good.

  According to this fuel cell module, since the vaporization section and the reforming section are coaxially provided by being formed by the multiple tube structure, the fuel processing section can be reduced in the radial direction. Further, since the vaporization section and the reforming section are configured to have multiple cylindrical walls, the structure of the vaporization section and the reforming section can be simplified, and the vaporization section and the reforming section can be easily assembled. . Thereby, cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the peripheral wall part of the combustion part is also formed by the part between the reforming part and the accommodating part in the multiple pipe structure, the structure of the combustion part can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, as described in claim 14, in the fuel cell module according to claim 13, the combustion portion is provided to face an upper surface of the fuel cell stack, and is coupled to the peripheral wall portion; A partition wall partitioning the combustion chamber into a lower space to which the stack exhaust gas is supplied and an upper space in which the combustion exhaust gas is generated, the partition wall being above the fuel cell stack It may be stacked via a spacer.

  According to this fuel cell module, the combustion part is provided with the partition wall that divides the combustion chamber into a lower space to which the stack exhaust gas is supplied and an upper space in which the combustion exhaust gas is generated. Therefore, since the stack exhaust gas and the combustion exhaust gas can be prevented from being mixed by the partition wall, the stack exhaust gas can be stably burned.

  Moreover, the partition part provided in this combustion part is combined with the peripheral wall part, and is stacked on the fuel cell stack via a spacer. Therefore, since the load of the fuel processing unit formed by the multi-tube structure can be applied to the fuel cell stack through the partition wall and the spacer, the load of the fuel processing unit is efficiently transmitted to the fuel cell stack. be able to.

  Further, as described in claim 15, in the fuel cell module according to claim 14, the peripheral wall portion connects a cylindrical wall constituting the reforming portion and an accommodation wall constituting the accommodation portion. It has multiple connection walls, and the partition wall portion may be combined with an inner connection wall of the multiple connection walls and not connected with the remaining connection walls.

  According to this fuel cell module, the partition wall is coupled to the inner connection wall among the multiple connection walls, but is not coupled to the remaining connection walls. Therefore, even when a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the multiple storage walls connected to the multiple connection walls, it is possible to suppress the transmission of stress between the multiple storage walls via the partition wall.

  Further, as described in claim 16, in the fuel cell module according to claim 14 or claim 15, the partition wall portion is provided with an orifice communicating the lower space and the upper space, and The spacer is provided on the lower surface of the partition wall, and is interposed between the plurality of swirl guide plates arranged in a spiral shape around the orifice, and between the plurality of swirl guide plates and the fuel cell stack. And a cushioning material covering the upper surface of the fuel cell stack.

  According to this fuel cell module, a plurality of swirl guide plates arranged in a spiral shape around the orifice are provided around the orifice inlet. Accordingly, the stack exhaust gas can be guided to the orifice by suppressing the short path of the stack exhaust gas by the plurality of swirl guide plates, and a vortex can be created in the stack exhaust gas. Thereby, since mixing of the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas contained in the stack exhaust gas can be promoted, the combustion of the stack exhaust gas can be stabilized.

  Further, a cushion material that covers the upper surface of the fuel cell stack is interposed between the plurality of swivel guide plates and the fuel cell stack. Therefore, since the load from the plurality of turning guide plates can be dispersed by the cushion material, it is possible to suppress a local load from being applied to the upper surface of the fuel cell stack. Thereby, damage to the fuel cell stack can be suppressed.

  In addition, as described in claim 17, in the fuel cell module according to claim 13, the combustion portion is provided inside the peripheral wall portion, and the fuel electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack and A mixed combustor that mixes air cathode exhaust gas to generate the stack exhaust gas and burns the stack exhaust gas. The mixed combustor is coupled to the peripheral wall portion, and is disposed on the fuel cell stack. It may be stacked.

  According to this fuel cell module, the mixed combustor is provided inside the peripheral wall portion of the combustion portion. Therefore, the mixed combustor can promote the mixing of the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack. Therefore, the stack exhaust gas generated by mixing the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas. Can stabilize the combustion.

  The mixed combustor is coupled to the peripheral wall portion and stacked on the fuel cell stack. Therefore, since the load of the fuel processing unit formed by the multi-tube structure can be applied to the fuel cell stack through the mixed combustor, the load of the fuel processing unit can be efficiently transmitted to the fuel cell stack. Can do.

  Moreover, as described in claim 18, in the fuel cell module according to claim 17, the peripheral wall portion connects a cylindrical wall constituting the reforming portion and a housing wall constituting the housing portion. The mixed combustor may have a plurality of connection walls, and the mixed combustor may be coupled to an inner connection wall of the plurality of connection walls and may not be coupled to the remaining connection walls.

  According to this fuel cell module, the mixed combustor is coupled to the inner connection wall among the multiple connection walls, but is not coupled to the remaining connection walls. Therefore, even when a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the multiple accommodation walls connected to the multiple connection walls, it is possible to suppress the transmission of stress between the multiple accommodation walls via the mixed combustor.

  As described above in detail, according to the fuel cell module of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the adhesion of the plurality of laminated members provided in the fuel cell stack while suppressing an increase in cost.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is an upper part enlarged view of the fuel cell module of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a lower part of the fuel cell module of FIG. 1. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the partition part and gas rectifier of FIG. 1 from the upper side. It is a perspective view containing the cross section of the gas rectification | straightening member of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the partition part and gas rectification | straightening member of FIG. 1 from the lower side. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 1st modification of the fuel cell module of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 2nd modification of the fuel cell module of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 3rd modification of the fuel cell module of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a lower part enlarged view of the fuel cell module of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a fuel cell stack.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Fuel cell module M1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell module M <b> 1 according to the first embodiment includes a fuel cell stack 10, a base member 20, a multiple tube structure 30, and a heat insulating material 150.

<Fuel battery cell stack 10>
As an example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is applied to the fuel cell stack 10. The fuel cell stack 10 has a plurality of flat cells 11. The plurality of cells 11 correspond to the “plurality of laminated members” in the present invention, and are laminated in the vertical direction.

  Each cell 11 has a fuel electrode (anode electrode), an electrolyte layer, and an air electrode (cathode electrode). Fuel gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of each cell 11, and oxidant gas is supplied to the air electrode of each cell 11. Each cell 11 generates power by an electrochemical reaction between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas, and generates heat as the power is generated.

  The fuel cell stack 10 is placed on the base member 20. A conductive wire insertion hole 21 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the base member 20, and the power conductive wire 12 extending from the fuel cell stack 10 is inserted into the conductive wire insertion hole 21. The central portion C of the fuel cell stack 10 is located on the central axis of the multi-pipe structure 30 described later.

<Multi-pipe structure 30>
The multi-pipe structure 30 is composed of a plurality (six as an example) of pipe materials 31 to 36. Each of the plurality of pipe materials 31 to 36 has a cylindrical shape whose cross section is a perfect circle, and is formed of a metal having high heat conductivity. The plurality of pipe materials 31 to 36 are arranged with the vertical direction as an axial direction.

  The 1st thru | or 3rd pipe materials 31-33 are arrange | positioned concentrically. The first to third pipe members 31 to 33 are arranged in order from the inner side to the outer side of the multiple pipe structure 30. The first and second pipe members 31 and 32 are provided from above the fuel cell stack 10 to the upper end portion of the multiple pipe structure 30, and the third pipe member 33 is an upper part of the second pipe member 32. It is formed with the length corresponding to.

  The fourth pipe member 34 is provided below the second pipe member 32. The fifth and sixth pipe members 35, 36 are provided from the central part in the height direction of the multiple pipe structure 30 to the lower end part. The fifth tubular material 35 is disposed outside the second and fourth tubular materials 32, 34, and the sixth tubular material 36 is disposed outside the fifth tubular material 35.

  The upper wall portion 41 of the multiple tube structure 30 is formed in a disk shape, and the upper ends of the first and second tube members 31 and 32 are coupled to the outer peripheral portion of the upper wall portion 41. The lower end portion of the second pipe member 32 is coupled to the upper end portion of the fourth pipe member 34 via a partition wall portion 103 which will be described later, and the upper end portion of the third pipe member 33 is interposed via an annular connecting wall portion 42. Are coupled to the upper end of the second pipe member 32. The upper ends of the fifth and sixth pipe members 35 and 36 are coupled to the lower end portion of the third pipe member 33 via an annular connecting wall 43, and the fourth to sixth pipe members 34 to 36 are connected. Is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the base member 20.

  The multi-pipe structure 30 constituted by the multi-pipe materials 31 to 36 includes a fuel processing unit 50 and a storage unit 120 for each function. The fuel processing unit 50 is provided on the upper side of the fuel cell stack 10, and includes a vaporization unit 60, a reforming unit 80, and a combustion unit 100.

<Vaporization unit 60>
As shown in FIG. 2, the vaporizing section 60 has triple cylindrical walls 61 to 63 corresponding to “multiple cylindrical walls” in the present invention. The triple cylindrical walls 61 to 63 are formed by the first to third tube members 31 to 33 and are arranged in order from the inside to the outside of the multiple tube structure 30.

  The triple cylindrical walls 61 to 63 constituting the vaporizing section 60 have a gap between them. A heat insulating space 65 is formed inside the inner cylindrical wall 61, and a combustion exhaust gas channel 66 and a vaporization channel 67 are formed between the triple cylindrical walls 61 to 63 in order from the inner side to the outer side. Has been. The combustion exhaust gas flow channel 66 is provided with an upper portion of a spiral member 69 extending spirally around the axis of the multi-pipe structure 30. On the second cylindrical wall 62 from the inside, a ridge 70 extending spirally around the axis of the multi-pipe structure 30 is formed, and the vaporizing channel 67 is spirally formed by the ridge 70. Is formed.

  A gas exhaust pipe 166 is connected to the upper end portion of the combustion exhaust gas flow channel 66, and a raw fuel gas supply pipe 161 is connected to the upper end portion of the vaporization flow channel 67. The gas discharge pipe 166 and the raw fuel gas supply pipe 161 extend outward in the radial direction of the multiple pipe structure 30.

<Reformer 80>
The reforming unit 80 is provided below the vaporization unit 60 described above. The reforming section 80 includes quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 corresponding to “multiple cylindrical walls” in the present invention. The quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 are formed by the first tube member 31, the second tube member 32, the fifth tube member 35, and the sixth tube member 36, and the inner side of the multiple tube structure 30. Are arranged in order from the outside.

  The quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 constituting the reforming portion 80 have a gap therebetween. A heat insulating space 85 is formed inside the inner cylindrical wall 81. The heat insulation space 85 is in communication with the heat insulation space 65 of the vaporization unit 60 described above. A combustion exhaust gas channel 86, a reforming channel 87, and an oxidant gas channel 88 are formed between the quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 in order from the inside to the outside. The combustion exhaust gas flow path 86 communicates with the combustion exhaust gas flow path 66 of the vaporization section 60 described above, and the reforming flow path 87 communicates with the vaporization flow path 67 of the vaporization section 60 described above.

  The combustion exhaust gas channel 86 is provided with a lower portion of the above-described spiral member 69, and the oxidizing gas channel 88 is provided with a spiral member 89 similar to the spiral member 69. An oxidant gas supply pipe 164 extending outward in the radial direction of the multiple tube structure 30 is connected to the upper end portion of the oxidant gas flow path 88.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reforming flow path 87 is provided with a reforming catalyst layer 90 over the entire circumference of the reforming flow path 87. For the reforming catalyst layer 90, for example, a granular catalyst or a honeycomb catalyst carrying a metal such as nickel, ruthenium, platinum, or rhodium as an active metal is used.

<Combustion unit 100>
As shown in FIG. 3, the combustion unit 100 is provided below the reforming unit 80 described above. The combustion part 100 includes a peripheral wall part 101, a taper part 102, and a partition wall part 103. The peripheral wall portion 101 is formed by a portion between the reforming portion 80 and the accommodating portion 120 in the multiple tube structure 30.

  The peripheral wall portion 101 includes the remaining triple cylindrical walls 82 to 84 excluding the inner cylindrical wall 81 among the quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 constituting the reforming portion 80, and an accommodating portion 120 described later. It is comprised by the triple connection walls 111-113 which connect the triple accommodation walls 121-123 which comprise. These triple connection walls 111 to 113 correspond to “multiple connection walls” in the present invention. The inner connection wall 111 is formed by the second and fourth pipe members 32, 34, the central connection wall 112 is formed by the fifth tube member 35, and the outer connection wall 113 is formed by the sixth tube member 36. Is formed.

  In the triple connection walls 111 to 113 constituting the peripheral wall portion 101, a reforming flow path 87 of the reforming portion 80 is formed to extend between the inner connection wall 111 and the central connection wall 112. In addition, an oxidant gas flow path 88 of the reforming unit 80 is formed to extend between the central connection wall 112 and the outer connection wall 113. The inner side of the peripheral wall portion 101 constituted by the triple connection walls 111 to 113 is formed as a combustion chamber 116, and the combustion chamber 116 includes a storage chamber 126 formed inside a storage portion 120 described later, It communicates with the combustion exhaust gas flow path 86 of the reforming section 80 described above.

  The tapered portion 102 is formed at the lower end portion of the inner cylindrical wall 81 among the quadruple cylindrical walls 81 to 84 constituting the reforming portion 80 described above. The taper portion 102 is formed in a taper shape that protrudes from the reforming portion 80 side toward the partition wall portion 103 side and increases in diameter toward the reforming portion 80 side from the partition wall portion 103 side.

  An ignition electrode 104 is provided at the tip of the tapered portion 102. The ignition electrode 104 protrudes from the tip (lower end) of the taper portion 102 into the combustion chamber 116 and is disposed at the center of the combustion chamber 116. The ignition electrode 104 is provided above the fuel cell stack 10 and separated from the fuel cell stack 10. A pipe 105 is accommodated inside the first pipe member 31 constituting the vaporizing section 60 and the reforming section 80, and the inside of the pipe 105 is connected to the ignition electrode 104 and insulated by an insulator. A conductive portion 106 is inserted.

  The partition wall 103 is formed in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 101. The partition wall 103 divides the combustion chamber 116 into a lower space 116A to which stack exhaust gas is supplied and an upper space 116B in which combustion exhaust gas is generated. The lower space 116A and the upper space 116B communicate with each other through an orifice 146 of an orifice member 142 described later.

  The partition wall 103 is coupled to the inner connection wall 111 (second and fourth pipe members 32 and 34) of the triple connection walls 111 to 113, but the remaining connection walls 112 and 113 (fifth and fourth). The sixth pipe members 35 and 36) are not joined. The partition wall 103 is disposed between the ignition electrode 104 and the fuel cell stack 10 and is provided to face the upper surface 10A of the fuel cell stack 10. The partition wall 103 is provided with a gas rectifying member 140.

  The gas rectifying member 140 includes an annular plate 141, an orifice member 142, and a punching metal 143 (see also FIGS. 4 to 6). The annular plate 141 is arranged with the vertical direction as the plate thickness direction, and the orifice member 142 is formed in an inverted truncated cone shape and is integrally provided on the lower surface of the annular plate 141. The orifice member 142 includes an opposing wall portion 144 that forms a bottom wall portion, and a tapered portion 145 that forms a peripheral wall portion. One orifice 146 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the central portion of the facing wall portion 144.

  The annular plate 141 is overlapped and joined to the partition wall 103 from the upper side in the vertical direction, and the orifice member 142 protrudes downward in the vertical direction from the partition wall 103 through the inner side of the annular partition wall 103. Yes. The opposing wall portion 144 is opposed to the upper surface 10A of the fuel cell stack 10 with a gap, and the tapered portion 145 formed around the opposing wall portion 144 extends from the upper surface 10A of the fuel cell stack 10. It is made into the taper shape which diameter-expands as it goes away.

  The punching metal 143 is formed in a circular flat plate shape, and is overlapped and joined to the central portion of the annular plate 141 from the lower side in the vertical direction to close the inner hole of the annular plate 141. The punching metal 143 has a large number of ejection holes 147 formed by punching.

  A plurality of turning guide plates 148 are provided on the lower surface of the partition wall 103. The plurality of swivel guide plates 148 are formed in a curved shape and are provided around the inlet of the orifice 146. The plurality of swirl guide plates 148 are arranged in a spiral shape around the orifice 146 and have a function of guiding the stack exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 to the orifice 146.

  In this combustion part 100, the stack exhaust gas flowing into the orifice 146 is ejected to the upper side of the partition wall part 103 through a large number of ejection holes 147 formed in the punching metal 143, and the stack exhaust gas ejected to the upper side of the partition wall part 103 is It is ignited by a spark formed between the ignition electrode 104 and the pipe 105 or the like.

  In addition, the partition wall 103 is stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via a plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the cushion material 13. The cushion material 13 covers the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the fuel cell stack 10, and is interposed between the plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the fuel cell stack 10. The cushion material 13 is made of an insulating material having high heat resistance such as ceramic, alumina, or zirconia. The plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the cushion material 13 are examples of the “spacer” in the present invention.

<Container 120>
The accommodating portion 120 is provided on the lower side of the fuel processing portion 50, and has triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 formed by the lower portion of the multiple tube structure 30. The triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 correspond to “multiple accommodating walls” in the present invention, and are arranged in order from the inside to the outside of the multiple tube structure 30. The triple housing walls 121 to 123 are configured by fourth to sixth pipe members 34 to 36.

  A storage chamber 126 in which the fuel cell stack 10 is stored is formed inside the storage portion 120. The triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 constituting the accommodating portion 120 have a gap between them, and the triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 correspond to the “gas flow path” in the present invention. A fuel gas passage 127 and a preheating passage 128 are formed.

  The fuel gas channel 127 is in communication with the above-described reforming channel 87, and the preheating channel 128 is in communication with the above-described oxidant gas channel 88. The preheating channel 128 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 through the channel 22 formed in the base member 20. Similarly, the fuel gas channel 127 is formed in the base member 20. The fuel gas cell stack 10 communicates with the fuel gas inlet through a flow path (not shown).

  In addition, beads 131 corresponding to the “easy deformable portion” in the present invention are formed on the triple housing walls 121 to 123. The bead 131 is formed by curving a part of the housing walls 121 to 123 in the axial direction. More specifically, the bead 131 has a curved cross section that protrudes radially inward of the housing walls 121 to 123. It is comprised by the protrusion part (arc-shaped cross section).

  In 1st embodiment, the bead 131 is comprised by the protrusion part, and the compression deformation to the axial direction of the accommodating part 120 is made easier than the other site | part of the accommodating walls 121-123. The beads 131 are formed over the entire circumference of the housing walls 121 to 123 by extending in a ring shape along the circumferential direction of the housing walls 121 to 123.

  In addition, among the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123, the beads 131 formed on one accommodation wall and the beads 131 formed on the other accommodation walls are formed at the same position in the axial direction of the accommodation walls 121 to 123. In addition, the housing walls 121 to 123 are convex on the same side in the radial direction.

  That is, a pair of beads 131 are formed in each of the storage walls 121 to 123 so as to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the storage walls 121 to 123. The three beads 131 formed on the upper side of each of the housing walls 121 to 123 are formed at the same position (the same height) in the axial direction of the housing walls 121 to 123, and all the housing walls 121 to 123 are formed. Is convex on the inner side in the radial direction (the inner side of the accommodating portion 120).

  Similarly, the three beads 131 formed below the storage walls 121 to 123 are also formed at the same position in the axial direction of the storage walls 121 to 123, and all of them are in the radial direction of the storage walls 121 to 123. Convex on the inside.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the beads 131 are formed on the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 that accommodate the fuel cell stack 10. In this fuel cell module M1, the triple housing walls 121 to 123 softened by being heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 10 during high temperature operation cannot support the weight of the fuel processing unit 50. The storage walls 121 to 123 are compressed and deformed from the bead 131, and the shape, material, and the like of each part are set so that all the loads of the fuel processing unit 50 are applied to the fuel cell stack 10.

<Insulation 150>
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat insulating material 150 has a cylindrical main body portion 151, and disc-shaped upper portion 152 and lower portion 153. The main body 151 covers the multi-pipe structure 30 from the outside, and the upper part 152 and the lower part 153 cover the multi-pipe structure 30 from the upper side and the lower side. The surface of the heat insulating material 150 is covered with a covering sheet 154.

  Next, the operation of the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, raw fuel 171 is supplied to the vaporization passage 67 through the raw fuel gas supply pipe 161. As the raw fuel 171, a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and reforming water is used. As the hydrocarbon fuel, for example, city gas is preferably used, but a gas mainly composed of a hydrocarbon such as propane may be used, or a hydrocarbon-based liquid may be used.

  When the raw fuel 171 is supplied to the vaporization flow path 67, the raw fuel 171 flows through the vaporization flow path 67 formed in a spiral shape from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction. At this time, in the vaporization unit 60, the combustion exhaust gas 176 discharged from the combustion unit 100 (see FIG. 3) flows through the combustion exhaust gas channel 66 from the lower side in the vertical direction to the upper side. When the combustion exhaust gas 176 flows through the combustion exhaust gas flow channel 66 adjacent to the vaporization flow channel 67, heat is exchanged between the raw fuel 171 and the combustion exhaust gas 176 flowing through the vaporization flow channel 67. In the vaporization flow path 67, the raw fuel 171 is vaporized and raw fuel gas 172 is generated.

  The raw fuel gas 172 vaporized in the vaporization channel 67 flows into the reforming channel 87. In the reforming unit 80, the combustion exhaust gas 176 discharged from the combustion unit 100 (see FIG. 3) flows from the lower side in the vertical direction to the upper side in the combustion exhaust gas channel 86, and therefore the raw fuel gas 172 flowing through the reforming channel 87 and Heat is exchanged with the combustion exhaust gas 176. In the reforming flow path 87, fuel gas 173 (reformed gas) is generated from the raw fuel gas 172 by the reforming catalyst layer 90 using the heat of the combustion exhaust gas 176.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel gas 173 generated in the reforming flow path 87 flows into the fuel gas flow path 127 formed in the accommodating portion 120. The fuel gas 173 flows through the fuel gas channel 127 and then is supplied to the fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 through a channel (not shown) formed in the base member 20.

  On the other hand, at this time, in the reforming unit 80 shown in FIG. 2, the oxidant gas 174 is supplied to the oxidant gas flow path 88 through the oxidant gas supply pipe 164. 88 flows from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the oxidant gas 174 that has flowed through the oxidant gas flow path 88 flows into the preheating flow path 128, and flows through the preheating flow path 128 from the upper side in the vertical direction to the lower side.

  The oxidant gas 174 flowing through the preheating channel 128 is preheated by the heat of the fuel cell stack 10. The oxidant gas 174 preheated in the preheat channel 128 is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 through the channel 22 formed in the base member 20.

  As described above, when the fuel gas 173 is supplied to the fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 and the oxidant gas 174 is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10, the fuel cell In the cell stack 10, power is generated in each cell 11 by an electrochemical reaction between the oxidant gas 174 and the fuel gas 173. Each cell 11 generates heat with power generation.

  During power generation of the fuel cell stack 10, the stack exhaust gas 175 including the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas is discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 into the lower space 116 </ b> A of the combustion chamber 116. The stack exhaust gas 175 is guided to the orifice 146 by a plurality of turning guide plates 148. Then, the stack exhaust gas 175 flows into the orifice 146 and is mixed.

  The stack exhaust gas 175 mixed at the orifice 146 is ejected from a large number of ejection holes 147 formed in the punching metal 143 and supplied to the upper space 116 </ b> B of the combustion chamber 116. The stack exhaust gas 175 supplied to the upper space 116B includes fuel gas (reformed gas) and oxidant gas that have not been supplied to the power generation in the fuel cell stack 10, and is supplied to the upper space 116B. The stack exhaust gas 175 is ignited and burned by a spark formed between the ignition electrode 104 and the pipe 105 or the like.

  When the stack exhaust gas 175 is combusted in the upper space 116B, the combustion exhaust gas 176 is generated in the upper space 116B. The combustion exhaust gas 176 generated in the upper space 116 </ b> B is discharged upward from the upper space 116 </ b> B and flows into the combustion exhaust gas flow path 86 of the reforming unit 80 along the tapered portion 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the flue gas 176 that has flowed into the flue gas passage 86 of the reforming unit 80 flows through the flue gas passage 86 of the reforming unit 80 and the flue gas passage 66 of the vaporization unit 60. After that, it is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell module M1 through the gas discharge pipe 166.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, during such high temperature operation, the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 are heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 10, and the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 are softened. The softened triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 cannot support the weight of the fuel processing unit 50 and are compressed and deformed starting from the bead 131. The triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 are compressed and deformed with the bead 131 as a starting point, so that all the loads of the fuel processing unit 50 are applied to the fuel cell stack 10. The cells 11 are in close contact with each other.

  Next, the operation and effect of the first embodiment will be described.

  As described above in detail, according to the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment, the fuel processing unit 50 including the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 is provided on the upper side of the fuel cell stack 10. The load of the fuel processing unit 50 is applied to the fuel cell stack 10. Therefore, since the load of the fuel processing unit 50 having a constant weight is applied to the fuel cell stack 10, the adhesion of the plurality of cells 11 provided in the fuel cell stack 10 can be maintained. Thereby, for example, warpage of the cells 11 and gas leakage between the plurality of cells 11 can be suppressed, and electrical resistance between the plurality of cells 11 can also be reduced.

  Moreover, in order to obtain a load for bringing the plurality of cells 11 into close contact with each other, the fuel processing unit 50 having the vaporizing unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 is used instead of a dedicated fastening structure using a fastening member or the like. , Cost increase can be suppressed.

  Further, the fuel processing unit 50 is formed by a multi-pipe structure 30 whose axial direction is the vertical direction. Therefore, since the structure of the fuel processing unit 50 can be simplified, the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the fuel processing unit 50 is formed of the metallic multi-pipe structure 30, the weight of the fuel processing unit 50 can be easily set. Therefore, when the multi-pipe structure 30 is designed, The applied load can be set appropriately.

  The multiple tube structure 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the central portion C of the fuel cell stack 10 is located on the central axis of the multiple tube structure 30. Therefore, a load can be transmitted from the fuel processing unit 50 formed by the multiple tube structure 30 to the fuel cell stack 10 with a good balance. Thereby, the several cell 11 can be closely_contact | adhered with sufficient balance.

  A storage unit 120 that stores the fuel cell stack 10 is provided below the fuel processing unit 50. The triple storage walls 121 to 123 that form the storage unit 120 include storage walls 121 to 123. A bead 131 that is easier to deform in the axial direction of the accommodating portion 120 than other portions of 123 is formed. Therefore, during the high temperature operation, the triple accommodating walls 121 to 123 softened by being heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 10 cannot support the weight of the fuel processing unit 50, and the respective accommodating walls 121 to 123 are not supported. Is compressed and deformed from the bead 131 as a starting point. Thereby, since all the load of the fuel processing part 50 is added to the fuel cell stack 10, the several cell 11 can be stuck more closely.

  Further, in order to compress and deform the receiving walls 121 to 123, the beads 131 formed by bending a part of the receiving walls 121 to 123 in the axial direction are used. 123 can be easily compressed and deformed.

  In addition, the beads 131 formed on the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 also serve as a bellows that absorbs the difference in thermal expansion of the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123, and therefore, due to the difference in thermal expansion of the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123. Thermal stress can also be relaxed.

  Moreover, since the bead 131 formed by curving a part of the axial direction of the housing walls 121 to 123 is used, the manufacturing is easy and the cost is reduced as compared with the bellows in which a part of the housing walls 121 to 123 is thin. can do.

  Further, the beads 131 are formed over the entire circumference of the housing walls 121 to 123 by extending annularly along the circumferential direction of the housing walls 121 to 123. Accordingly, during high-temperature operation, the accommodating walls 121 to 123 are deformed over the entire circumference starting from the bead 131, so that the load of the fuel processing unit 50 can be evenly applied to the fuel cell stack 10.

  Further, since the gap between the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 is used as the fuel gas flow path 127 through which the fuel gas flows and the preheating flow path 128 through which the oxidant gas flows, the configuration of the storage section 120 is simplified. Can be

  In addition, among the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123, the beads 131 formed on one accommodation wall and the beads 131 formed on the other accommodation walls are formed at the same position in the axial direction of the accommodation walls 121 to 123. In addition, the housing walls 121 to 123 are convex on the same side in the radial direction. Therefore, even when each bead 131 is compressed and deformed under the load of the fuel processing unit 50, it is possible to prevent the beads 131 and the receiving wall from interfering with each other and the beads 131 from interfering with each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fuel gas passage 127 and the preheating passage 128 formed between the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 from being blocked, and the compression deformation of the accommodation walls 121 to 123 is inhibited. It can also be suppressed.

  In addition, since the beads 131 are convex on the inner side (radially inner side) of the housing part 120, it is possible to suppress the beads 131 from protruding to the outside of the housing part 120. Thereby, while being able to suppress interference with bead 131 and other members, fuel cell module M1 can be reduced in size in the diameter direction.

  Further, since the fuel processing unit 50 includes the combustion unit 100 in addition to the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80, the weight of the fuel processing unit 50 can be increased by the addition of the combustion unit 100. Thereby, a larger load can be applied to the fuel cell stack 10.

  Moreover, since the vaporization part 60 and the reforming part 80 are coaxially provided by being formed by the multiple tube structure 30, the fuel processing part 50 can be reduced in size in the radial direction. In addition, since the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 are configured to have multiple cylindrical walls, the structure of the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 can be simplified, and the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 can be simplified. Assembling becomes easy. Thereby, cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the peripheral wall portion 101 of the combustion section 100 is also formed by a portion between the reforming section 80 and the accommodating section 120 in the multiple tube structure 30, the structure of the combustion section 100 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. be able to.

  In addition, the combustion section 100 is provided with a partition wall section 103 that divides the combustion chamber 116 into a lower space 116A to which stack exhaust gas is supplied and an upper space 116B in which combustion exhaust gas is generated. Therefore, since the stack exhaust gas and the combustion exhaust gas can be prevented from being mixed by the partition wall portion 103, the stack exhaust gas can be stably burned.

  In addition, the partition wall 103 provided in the combustion unit 100 is coupled to the peripheral wall 101 and is stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via the plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the cushion material 13. Therefore, the load of the fuel processing unit 50 formed by the multiple tube structure 30 can be applied to the fuel cell stack 10 via the partition wall 103, the plurality of turning guide plates 148, and the cushion material 13. The load of the fuel processing unit 50 can be efficiently transmitted to the fuel cell stack 10.

  Further, the partition wall 103 provided in the combustion unit 100 is coupled to the inner connection wall 111 among the triple connection walls 111 to 113, but is coupled to the remaining connection walls 112 and 113. Absent. Therefore, even when a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 connected to the triple connection walls 111 to 113, stress is transmitted between the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 via the partition wall 103. This can be suppressed.

  In addition, a plurality of swirl guide plates 148 arranged in a spiral shape around the orifice 146 are provided around the inlet of the orifice 146. Therefore, a short path of the stack exhaust gas 175 can be suppressed by the plurality of swirl guide plates 148 to guide the stack exhaust gas to the orifice 146, and a vortex can be created in the stack exhaust gas. Thereby, since mixing of the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas contained in the stack exhaust gas can be promoted, the combustion of the stack exhaust gas can be stabilized.

  Further, a cushion material 13 that covers the upper surface 10 </ b> A of the fuel cell stack 10 is interposed between the plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the fuel cell stack 10. Therefore, since the load from the plurality of turning guide plates 148 can be dispersed by the cushion material 13, it is possible to suppress a local load from being applied to the upper surface 10A of the fuel cell stack 10. Thereby, damage to the fuel cell stack 10 can be suppressed.

  The cushion material 13 is formed of an insulating material. Therefore, since the metal multi-pipe structure 30 can be insulated from the fuel cell stack 10, it is possible to suppress the voltage of the fuel cell stack 10 from decreasing.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, the beads 131 are formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the housing walls 121 to 123. However, as shown in FIG. You may extend spirally along the direction. In addition, the front-end | tip part of the bead 131 is not couple | bonded only by contacting the accommodation walls 121-123.

  Thus, even if the bead 131 is formed in a spiral shape, the bead 131 is formed over the entire circumference of the receiving walls 121 to 123. Therefore, during high temperature operation, the receiving walls 121 to 123 start from the bead 131. Is deformed over the entire circumference. Thereby, the load of the fuel processing unit 50 can be evenly applied to the fuel cell stack 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the beads 131 of the central and outer housing walls 122 and 123 are formed in a spiral shape, the fuel gas flow formed between the inner and central housing walls 121 and 122 is formed. A path 127 and a preheating channel 128 formed between the central and outer receiving walls 122 and 123 are formed in a spiral shape.

  Therefore, since the fuel gas and the oxidant gas flow spirally through the fuel gas channel 127 and the preheating channel 128, the triple housing walls 121 to 123 that form the fuel gas channel 127 and the preheating channel 128 are provided. The temperature distribution can be made uniform. As a result, the temperature of the fuel cell stack 10 is uniformly maintained, so that the performance of the fuel cell stack 10 can be improved and the difference in thermal expansion between the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123 can be reduced.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the beads 131 formed on the inner receiving walls 121 to 123 are convex on the inner side (radially inner side) of the receiving walls 121 to 123, but are shown in FIG. As described above, the bead 131 formed on the inner receiving wall 121 may be convex on the outer side (radially outer side) of the receiving wall 121. The fuel gas channel 127 may be formed in a spiral shape by the beads 131 formed in the inner storage wall 121 and the beads 131 formed in the central storage wall 122.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the accommodating portion 120 is configured by the triple accommodating walls 121 to 123. However, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the accommodating portion 120 includes the double accommodating walls 121 and 122. It may be constituted by. The double housing walls 121 and 122 correspond to the “multiple housing walls” in the present invention.

  Further, when the accommodating portion 120 is constituted by the double accommodating walls 121 and 122, the reforming flow path 87 and the fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 are communicated with the inside of the accommodating portion 120, A fuel gas supply pipe 129 that supplies fuel gas from the reforming unit 80 to the fuel cell stack 10 may be provided. The fuel gas supply pipe 129 is bent in an L shape.

  Further, when the fuel gas supply pipe 129 is used, a corrugated pipe that has been subjected to corrugation processing (processing that adds unevenness extending in the circumferential direction) may be used as the fuel gas supply pipe 129.

  As described above, when the corrugated pipe is used for the fuel gas supply pipe 129 provided inside the housing portion 120, the double housing walls 121 and 122 are compressed and deformed starting from the bead 131, and the fuel gas is supplied. Even when the pipe 129 is bent and deformed, the fuel gas supply pipe 129 can be prevented from being crushed. Thereby, supply of the fuel gas from the reforming unit 80 to the fuel cell stack 10 can be ensured.

  Further, since the fuel gas supply pipe 129 is made flexible by using the corrugated pipe as the fuel gas supply pipe 129, it is possible to suppress the concentration of stress on the connection portion between the fuel gas supply pipe 129 and the fuel cell stack 10. And the durability of the connecting portion can be ensured.

  In the first embodiment described above, a pair of upper and lower beads 131 are formed on the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123, respectively, but the number of beads 131 formed on each of the triple accommodation walls 121 to 123. Can be any number.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the partition wall 103 is stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via the plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the cushion material 13, but the plurality of turning guide plates 148 and the cushions are stacked. It may be stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via a spacer other than the material 13.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The structure of the fuel cell module M2 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is changed as follows with respect to the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment described above (see FIGS. 1 to 3). .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the fuel cell module M <b> 2 according to the second embodiment, the multiple storage walls 121 and 122 constituting the storage unit 120 are formed by the double side walls 201 and 202 and the triple top. Wall portions 211 to 213. The double side walls 201 and 202 have a larger diameter than the fuel processing unit 50, and extend in the axial direction of the housing walls 121 and 122. The triple upper wall portions 211 to 213 extend from the upper end portions of the double side wall portions 201 and 202 inward in the radial direction of the side wall portions 201 and 202, and are connected to the lower end portion of the fuel processing unit 50.

  A fuel gas passage 127 is formed between the lower upper wall portion 211 and the central upper wall portion 212. The fuel gas channel 127 is in communication with the reforming channel 87. A fuel gas supply pipe 224 is provided inside the housing part 120, and the fuel gas flow path 127 communicates with the fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell stack 10 through the fuel gas supply pipe 224.

  Between the central upper wall 212 and the upper upper wall 213, and between the inner side wall 201 and the outer side wall 202, a preheating channel 128 through which the oxidizing gas flows is formed. . In addition to the first oxidant gas supply pipe 164 (see FIG. 10) provided in the reforming unit 80, a second oxidant gas supply pipe 184 is connected to the outer side wall part 202. The bottom portion of the multi-pipe structure 30 is constituted by double bottom wall portions 221 and 222, and the preheating channel 128 is an oxidant gas supply flow formed between the double bottom wall portions 221 and 222. The fuel cell stack 10 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet through the path 223.

  Each bead 131 is formed in the upper wall portions 211 to 213 by bending a part of the upper wall portions 211 to 213 in the radial direction. Each bead 131 is formed in a cross-sectional wave shape having a first bead 131A and a second bead 131B. Each first bead 131 </ b> A and second bead 131 </ b> B extends in a ring shape along the circumferential direction of the triple upper wall portions 211 to 213. The three first beads 131A are formed at the same position in the radial direction of the upper wall portions 211 to 213, and are convex on the same side (lower side) in the thickness direction of the upper wall portions 211 to 213. .

  On the other hand, each second bead 131B is convex upward. In the upper wall portion 213 on the upper side, the second bead 131B is formed on the radially outer side of the upper wall portion 213 with respect to the first bead 131A. 131B is formed on the radially inner side of the upper wall portions 211 and 212 with respect to the first bead 131A.

  The two second beads 131B formed on the lower and central upper wall portions 211 and 212 are formed at the same radial position of the upper wall portions 211 and 212 and the thickness of the upper wall portions 211 and 212. Convex on the same direction side (upper side). The three first beads 131A formed on the triple upper wall portions 211 to 213 and the two beads 131 formed on the lower and central upper wall portions 211 and 212 are the “upper wall” according to the present invention. It corresponds to a bead that is formed at the same position in the radial direction of the portion and has a convex on the same side in the thickness direction of the upper wall portion.

  Moreover, in 2nd embodiment, each bead 131 is formed in the waveform by having the 1st bead 131A and the 2nd bead 131B comprised by the protrusion part, and other site | parts of the upper wall parts 211-213 The bending deformation in the axial direction of the accommodating portion 120 is easier than that. Each bead 131 is formed over the entire circumference of the housing walls 121 to 123 by extending annularly along the circumferential direction of the housing walls 121 to 123.

  The combustion unit 100 has a mixed combustor 230. The mixed combustor 230 includes a flange portion 231, a cylindrical portion 232, and a leg portion 233. The flange portion 231 is formed at the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 232. The flange portion 231 is coupled to the inner connection wall 111 among the triple connection walls 111 to 113, but is not coupled to the remaining connection walls 112 and 113. The leg portion 233 is formed at the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 232. The entire combustor 230 having the flange portion 231 and the leg portion 233 is stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via the cushion material 13.

  The fuel cell stack 10 is provided with a gas discharge part 14 for discharging the fuel electrode exhaust gas and a gas discharge part (not shown) for discharging the air electrode exhaust gas. The outlet of the gas discharge part 14 that discharges the fuel electrode exhaust gas is located inside the cylindrical part 232, and the outlet of the gas discharge part (not shown) that discharges the air electrode exhaust gas is located outside the cylindrical part 232.

  A large number of ejection holes 234 are formed in the cylindrical portion 232 of the mixed combustor 230, and the air electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 is ejected to the inside of the cylindrical portion 232 through the numerous ejection holes 234. The Then, inside the cylindrical portion 232, the air electrode exhaust gas ejected from the numerous ejection holes 234 and the fuel electrode exhaust gas ejected from the gas exhaust portion 14 are mixed to generate a stack exhaust gas. The stack exhaust gas is ignited by a spark formed between the ignition electrode 104 and the pipe 105 or the like, and burned inside the cylindrical portion 232.

  The fuel cell module M2 according to the second embodiment is the same as the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3) except for the structure described above, and the fuel according to the first embodiment. It operates similarly to the battery module M1.

  In the fuel cell module M2 according to the second embodiment, instead of the mixed combustor 230, the partition wall portion 103, the gas rectifying member 140, and the plurality of swirl guide plates 148 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment described above. Reference) may be applied.

  Next, the operation and effect of the second embodiment will be described.

  As described above in detail, also by the fuel cell module M2 according to the second embodiment, the fuel processing having the vaporization unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 on the upper side of the fuel cell stack 10 as in the first embodiment. A portion 50 is provided, and the load of the fuel processing unit 50 is applied to the fuel cell stack 10. Therefore, since the load of the fuel processing unit 50 having a constant weight is applied to the fuel cell stack 10, the adhesion of the plurality of cells 11 provided in the fuel cell stack 10 can be maintained.

  Moreover, in order to obtain a load for bringing the plurality of cells 11 into close contact with each other, the fuel processing unit 50 having the vaporizing unit 60 and the reforming unit 80 is used instead of a dedicated fastening structure using a fastening member or the like. , Cost increase can be suppressed.

  Further, the upper wall portions 211 to 213 of the multiple housing walls 121 and 122 constituting the housing portion 120 are easier to bend and deform in the axial direction of the housing portion 120 than the other portions of the upper wall portions 211 to 213. A bead 131 is formed. Therefore, during the high temperature operation, the upper wall portions 211 to 213 that are softened by being heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 10 cannot support the weight of the fuel processing unit 50, and the upper wall portions 211 are not supported. ˜213 is bent and deformed starting from the bead 131. Thereby, since all the load of the fuel processing part 50 is added to the fuel cell stack 10, the several cell 11 can be stuck more closely.

  Further, in order to bend and deform the upper wall portions 211 to 213, the bead 131 formed by bending a part of the radial direction of the upper wall portions 211 to 213 is used, so that the upper wall starts from the bead 131. The parts 211 to 213 can be easily bent and deformed.

  In addition, the beads 131 formed on the upper wall portions 211 to 213 of the triple also serve as a bellows that absorbs the difference in thermal expansion between the double side wall portions 201 and 202. Thermal stress due to expansion difference can also be relaxed.

  Further, the gap between the multiple storage walls 121 and 122 is used as the fuel gas flow path 127 through which the fuel gas flows and the preheating flow path 128 through which the oxidant gas flows, so the configuration of the storage section 120 is simplified. Can be

  Further, the three first beads 131A formed on the upper wall portions 211 to 213 of the triple are formed at the same position in the radial direction of the upper wall portions 211 to 213 and the thickness direction of the upper wall portions 211 to 213. Convex on the same side (lower side). Therefore, even when each first bead 131A is bent and deformed under the load of the fuel processing unit 50, the first bead 131A interferes with the upper wall portion, or the first beads 131A interfere with each other. Can be suppressed.

  Similarly, the two second beads 131B formed on the lower and central upper wall portions 211 and 212 are also formed at the same position in the radial direction of the upper wall portions 211 and 212 and the upper wall portions 211 and 212. Convex on the same side (upper side) in the thickness direction. Therefore, even when each second bead 131B is bent and deformed under the load of the fuel processing unit 50, the second bead 131B interferes with the upper wall portion, or the second beads 131B interfere with each other. Can be suppressed. As described above, the fuel gas channel 127 and the preheating channel 128 formed between the upper walls 211 to 213 of the multiple storage walls 121 and 122 can be prevented from being blocked, and the upper wall 211 It can also be suppressed that the deformation of ~ 213 is inhibited.

  In addition, a mixed combustor 230 is provided inside the peripheral wall portion 101 of the combustion unit 100. Therefore, the mixed combustor 230 can promote the mixing of the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 10, so that the fuel electrode exhaust gas and the air electrode exhaust gas are mixed and generated. The combustion of the stack exhaust gas can be stabilized.

  The mixed combustor 230 is coupled to the peripheral wall portion 101 of the combustion unit 100 and stacked on the fuel cell stack 10 via the cushion material 13. Therefore, the load of the fuel processing unit 50 formed by the multi-pipe structure 30 can be applied to the fuel cell stack 10 via the mixed combustor 230 and the cushion material 13, and therefore the load of the fuel processing unit 50 is used as the fuel. It can be efficiently transmitted to the battery cell stack 10.

  The mixed combustor 230 is coupled to the inner connection wall 111 among the triple connection walls 111 to 113, but is not coupled to the remaining connection walls 112 and 113. Therefore, even when a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the multiple accommodation walls 121 and 122 (double sidewall portions 201 and 202) connected to the triple connection walls 111 to 113, the multiple accommodation walls are provided via the mixed combustor 230. The transmission of stress between 121 and 122 can be suppressed.

  Note that in the fuel cell module M2 according to the second embodiment, the same structure as the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment described above is the same as that of the fuel cell module M1 according to the first embodiment described above. There is an effect.

  Next, a modification common to the above embodiments will be described.

  In each said embodiment, the some cylindrical walls 61-63, 81-84 which comprise the vaporization part 60 and the modification | reformation part 80, the some connection walls 111-113 which comprise the surrounding wall part 101 of the combustion part 100, The plurality of storage walls 121 to 123 constituting the storage unit 120 are all formed in a cylindrical shape having a perfect circular cross section, but are all formed in an elliptical cylinder shape having a cross sectional shape that is elliptical. May be.

  In addition, a plurality of cylindrical walls 61 to 63 and 81 to 84 that constitute the vaporizing unit 60 and the reforming unit 80, a plurality of connection walls 111 to 113 that constitute the peripheral wall portion 101 of the combustion unit 100, and the storage unit 120 The plurality of housing walls 121 to 123 that are configured may include both those formed in a cylindrical shape and those formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the vaporizing unit 60 includes the combustion exhaust gas flow channel 66 between the inner cylindrical wall 61 and the central cylindrical wall 62, and the central cylindrical wall 62 and the outer cylindrical wall. Although it has the vaporization flow path 67 between the walls 63, it has a vaporization flow path between the inner cylindrical wall 61 and the central cylindrical wall 62, and the central cylindrical wall 62 and the outer cylindrical wall. 63 may have a combustion exhaust gas flow path.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the vaporization unit 60 has the triple cylindrical walls 61 to 63, but the outer sixth tube member 36 is extended to the upper part of the multiple tube structure 30, so You may have a cylindrical wall. In this case, the heat insulation space, the combustion exhaust gas flow channel, the vaporization flow channel, and the oxidant gas flow channel may be formed in order from the inside to the outside of the quadruple cylindrical wall constituting the vaporization unit 60. .

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the fuel processing unit 50 includes the vaporization unit 60, the reforming unit 80, and the combustion unit 100, but the oxidant gas is located above the vaporization unit 60 or radially outside the vaporization unit 60. There may be provided a heat exchange section having an oxidant gas flow path through which the exhaust gas flows and a combustion exhaust gas flow path through which the combustion exhaust gas flows.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is applied to the fuel cell stack 10. However, as long as it has a plurality of stacked members stacked in the vertical direction, A fuel cell of the form may be applied.

  In each of the above embodiments, the plurality of cells 11 are stacked in the vertical direction. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of cells 11 may be stacked in the horizontal direction (X direction).

  When the plurality of cells 11 are stacked in the horizontal direction, a pair of manifolds 16 may be stacked from the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction on the cell stack body 15 configured by the plurality of cells 11. The load of the fuel processing unit 50 (see FIG. 3) may act in the stacking direction of the cell stack body 15 and the pair of manifolds 16. The pair of manifolds 16 has a function of distributing fuel gas and oxidant gas to the plurality of cells 11. In the modification shown in FIG. 12, the cell stack body 15 and the pair of manifolds 16 correspond to “a plurality of laminated members” in the present invention.

  As described above, when the load of the fuel processing unit is applied to the cell stack body 15 and the pair of manifolds 16, adhesion between the cell stack body 15 and the pair of manifolds 16 can be maintained. Thereby, the gas leak between the cell stack main body 15 and the manifold 16 can be suppressed.

  In particular, the cell 11 and the manifold 16 are likely to have a difference in thermal expansion because of different materials. However, when the load of the fuel processing unit acts on the cell stack body 15 and the pair of manifolds 16, the cell stack body 15 and the manifold 16 are different. The sealing property between the two can be ensured.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the fuel cell stack 10 has the some cell 11 and the manifold 16 as an example of the "plural members" in this invention, in addition to the some cell 11 and the manifold 16, it does. For example, you may have a some laminated member laminated | stacked on the orthogonal | vertical direction, such as a current collecting plate, an end plate, and a heat equalizing plate.

  Even in such a plurality of laminated members, the load of the fuel processing unit 50 having a constant weight is applied to the fuel cell stack 10 to improve the sealing performance of the plurality of laminated members, or the plurality of laminated members The electrical resistance between them can be reduced.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, when the load of the fuel processing part 50 is utilized in order to adhere | attach the laminated members other than the several cell 11, several cells 11 are cylindrical shape, a cylindrical flat plate shape, etc., for example. The shape may be other than a flat plate shape.

  In each of the above embodiments, a bead 131 is formed as an example of the “easily deformable portion” in the present invention on the multiple storage walls constituting the storage portion 120, but more than other portions of the storage wall. If the housing part 120 can be easily deformed in the axial direction, an easily deformable part other than a bead, such as a thin part, may be formed.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the bead 131 is preferably curved, but may be bent.

  Moreover, the modification which can be combined among the said some modification may be combined suitably, and may be implemented.

  The first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course there is.

M1, M2 ... Fuel cell module, C ... Center part, 10 ... Fuel cell stack, 11 ... Cell (example of laminated member), 13 ... Cushion material (example of spacer), 15 ... Cell stack body, 16 ... Manifold, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Base member, 30 ... Multiple pipe structure, 31-36 ... Pipe material, 50 ... Fuel processing part, 60 ... Vaporization part, 61-63 ... Cylindrical wall, 66 ... Combustion exhaust gas flow path, 67 ... Vaporization flow path, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 80 ... Reforming part, 81-84 ... Cylindrical wall, 86 ... Combustion exhaust gas flow path, 87 ... Reformation flow path, 88 ... Oxidant gas flow path, 90 ... Reformation catalyst layer, 100 ... Combustion part, 101 ... Peripheral wall part 102 ... Taper part 103 ... Partition wall part 104 ... Ignition electrode 111-113 ... Connection wall 116 ... Combustion chamber 116A ... Lower space 116B ... Upper space 120 ... Accommodating part 121-123 ... Accommodation wall, 126 ... accommodation room, 12 ... fuel gas flow path (example of gas flow path), 128 ... preheating flow path (example of gas flow path), 129 ... fuel gas supply pipe, 131 ... bead (example of easily deformable portion), 131A ... first bead, 131B ... second bead, 140 ... gas rectifying member, 142 ... orifice member, 143 ... punching metal, 146 ... orifice, 147 ... ejection hole, 148 ... rotation guide plate (an example of a spacer), 150 ... heat insulating material, 161 ... original Fuel gas supply pipe, 164 ... oxidant gas supply pipe, 166 ... gas discharge pipe, 171 ... raw fuel, 172 ... raw fuel gas, 173 ... fuel gas, 174 ... oxidant gas, 175 ... stack exhaust gas, 176 ... combustion exhaust gas 184 ... oxidant gas supply pipe, 201, 202 ... side wall, 211-213 ... upper wall, 230 ... mixed combustor

Claims (18)

A fuel cell stack having a plurality of laminated members laminated in the vertical direction and generating electric power by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas;
The fuel cell stack includes a vaporization unit that vaporizes raw fuel to generate raw fuel gas, and a reforming unit that generates the fuel gas from the raw fuel gas, and is provided on the upper side of the fuel cell stack. A fuel processing unit for applying a load to the battery cell stack;
A fuel cell module comprising: Provided with a metal multi-pipe structure whose axial direction is the vertical direction,
The fuel processing unit is formed by the multi-tube structure.
The fuel cell module according to claim 1. The multi-tube structure is formed in a cylindrical shape,
A central portion of the fuel cell stack is located on a central axis of the multi-pipe structure;
The fuel cell module according to claim 2. Under the fuel processing unit, a housing unit that houses the fuel cell stack and has multiple housing walls formed by a lower portion of the multiple tube structure is provided.
The multiple accommodating walls are formed with easily deformable portions that are easier to deform in the axial direction of the accommodating portion than other portions of the accommodating walls.
The fuel cell module according to claim 2 or claim 3. The easily deformable portion is a bead formed on the housing wall.
The fuel cell module according to claim 4. The bead is formed over the entire circumference of the containing wall.
The fuel cell module according to claim 5. A gas flow path through which the oxidant gas or the fuel gas flows is formed between the multiple containing walls.
The fuel cell module according to claim 5 or 6. The gas flow path is formed in a spiral shape by forming the bead in a spiral shape along the circumferential direction of the housing wall.
The fuel cell module according to claim 7. The bead formed on one of the multiple storage walls and the bead formed on the other storage wall of the multiple storage walls are formed at the same position in the axial direction of the storage wall. And is convex on the same side in the radial direction of the containing wall,
The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A fuel gas supply pipe for supplying the fuel gas from the reforming unit to the fuel cell stack is provided inside the housing unit,
A corrugated pipe is used as the fuel gas supply pipe.
The fuel cell module according to claim 9. The multiple storage walls include a side wall portion extending in the axial direction of the storage wall, and an upper wall portion extending from the upper end portion of the side wall portion inward in the radial direction of the side wall portion and formed with the beads.
The bead formed on the upper wall portion of one of the multiple storage walls and the bead formed on the other upper wall portion of the multiple storage walls are at the same radial position of the upper wall portion. Formed and convex on the same side in the thickness direction of the upper wall,
The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The fuel processing unit has a combustion unit in which the stack exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack is burned to generate combustion exhaust gas,
The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 4 to 11. The vaporizing section has a plurality of cylindrical walls formed by the multiple tube structure, a combustion exhaust gas passage through which the combustion exhaust gas flows, and the combustion exhaust gas between the multiple cylindrical walls. A vaporization passage through which the raw fuel is vaporized by heat exchange and the raw fuel gas is generated;
The reforming section is provided below the vaporization section and has a plurality of cylindrical walls formed by the multiple tube structure, and the combustion exhaust gas is interposed between the multiple cylindrical walls. A combustion exhaust gas passage through which the fuel gas flows, and a reforming passage through which the raw fuel gas is reformed using the heat of the combustion exhaust gas in communication with the vaporization passage, and the fuel gas is generated,
The combustion portion has a peripheral wall portion formed by a portion between the reforming portion and the accommodating portion in the multiple pipe structure, and is discharged from the fuel cell stack inside the peripheral wall portion. A combustion chamber in which the stack exhaust gas is burned to generate the combustion exhaust gas;
The fuel cell module according to claim 12. The combustion part is provided to face the upper surface of the fuel cell stack, and is coupled to the peripheral wall part, and the combustion chamber has a lower space to which the stack exhaust gas is supplied, and the combustion exhaust gas It has a partition that partitions into the generated upper space,
The partition wall is stacked on the fuel cell stack via a spacer.
The fuel cell module according to claim 13. The peripheral wall portion has a plurality of connection walls that connect the cylindrical wall constituting the reforming portion and the accommodating wall constituting the accommodating portion,
The partition wall is coupled to an inner connection wall of the multiple connection walls and is not coupled to the remaining connection walls.
The fuel cell module according to claim 14. The partition wall is provided with an orifice communicating the lower space and the upper space,
The spacer is provided on the lower surface of the partition wall, and a plurality of swirl guide plates arranged in a spiral shape around the orifice;
A cushioning material interposed between the plurality of swirl guide plates and the fuel cell stack and covering an upper surface of the fuel cell stack;
The fuel cell module according to claim 14 or 15. The combustion portion is provided inside the peripheral wall portion, and is mixed combustion that mixes fuel electrode exhaust gas and air electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack to generate the stack exhaust gas, and burns the stack exhaust gas. Have a bowl,
The mixed combustor is coupled to the peripheral wall portion and stacked on the fuel cell stack.
The fuel cell module according to claim 13. The peripheral wall portion has a plurality of connection walls that connect the cylindrical wall constituting the reforming portion and the accommodating wall constituting the accommodating portion,
The mixed combustor is coupled to an inner connection wall of the multiple connection walls and is not coupled to the remaining connection walls.
The fuel cell module according to claim 17.

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