JP2017045644A - Module and module housing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a module, mass productivity of which is enhanced while reducing the cost, and to provide a module housing device.SOLUTION: In a module 1 housing a cell stack device 3, where a plurality of cells 4 are arranged in a housing container 2, the housing container 2 includes a first plate member 20 having protrusions 39 placed on the side of the cell stack device 3, and at least some of which are projecting toward the cell stack device 3, and a second plate member 21 bonded to the first plate member 20 other than the protrusions 39. The space between the protrusions 39 of the first plate member 20 and the second plate member 21 serves as a first flow path 33 where the reaction gas to be supplied to the cell 4 flows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a module and a module housing device.

  In recent years, as next-generation energy, a fuel cell module in which a cell stack device including a cell stack formed by arranging a plurality of fuel battery cells, which are one type of cells, is stored in a storage container, and a module storage device including the same Various fuel cell devices have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-59377 A International Publication No. 2009/19615

  By the way, although fuel cell devices are currently being marketed, there is still room for improvement in terms of mass productivity, and there is a problem that the cost is still high. Therefore, it is desired to reduce the cost of modules as well by improving mass productivity.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a module and a module housing device with improved mass productivity.

  A module according to the present invention is a module in which a cell stack device in which a plurality of cells are arranged is stored in a storage container, and the storage container is at least one disposed on a side of the cell stack device. A first plate member having a protruding portion protruding toward the cell stack device, and a second plate member joined to a portion other than the protruding portion of the first plate member, The space between the protruding portion of the plate member and the second plate member is a gas flow path through which the reaction gas supplied to the cell flows.

  The module housing apparatus of the present invention comprises the above module and an auxiliary machine for operating the module, housed in an outer case.

  The module of the present invention can be a module capable of improving mass productivity and reducing cost. In addition, by providing the module, it is possible to provide a module housing device that can improve mass productivity and reduce costs.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the module of this embodiment. The cell stack apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is shown, (a) A top view, (b) A partially enlarged plan view. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the module of this embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view of the module shown in FIG. It is a partial excerpt perspective view of the module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the module of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the module of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the module of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the module of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows roughly an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the module of the present embodiment and the module housing device will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be provided about the common component in a different figure.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell module (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) in which the cell stack device of the present embodiment is stored in a storage container.

  In the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, fuel cells 4 as cells are arranged in a row in a storage container 2, and a current collecting member (in FIG. 1) is arranged between adjacent fuel cells 4. Are connected in series via a cell stack, and the lower end of the fuel cell 4 is fixed to the manifold 6 with an insulating bonding material (not shown) such as a glass seal material. A cell stack device 3 having one 5 is accommodated.

  The cell stack device 3 includes a reformer 8 that is disposed above the cell stack 5 and generates fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 4. Note that the reformer 8 may be provided separately, and the cell stack device 3 may be configured without the reformer 8.

  Further, on both ends of the cell stack 5, there are disposed conductive members 7 having current drawing portions 11 for collecting and drawing out the current generated by the power generation of the cell stack 5 (fuel cell 4) to the outside. Yes. Although FIG. 1 shows the case where the cell stack apparatus 3 includes one cell stack 5, the number can be changed as appropriate. For example, even if two or more cell stacks 5 are provided. Good.

  In FIG. 1, the fuel cell 4 is a hollow flat plate type having a plurality of gas passages penetrating the inside in the longitudinal direction and through which fuel gas flows, and a fuel electrode is formed on the surface of the support having the gas passages. 1 illustrates a solid oxide fuel cell 4 in which a layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an oxygen electrode layer are sequentially laminated. An oxygen-containing gas such as air flows between the fuel cells 4. The configuration of the fuel cell 4 will be described later.

  Moreover, in the module 1 (cell stack apparatus 3) of this embodiment, although the hollow flat plate type fuel cell 4 is illustrated, for example, it can also be made into a flat plate type or a cylindrical type, The shape can also be changed as appropriate.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a state where a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 2 is removed and the cell stack device 3 stored inside is taken out rearward. Here, in the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cell stack device 3 can be slid and stored in the storage container 2.

  Further, in the reformer 8 shown in FIG. 1, raw gas such as natural gas, methane gas, and kerosene is supplied into the reformer 8 through the raw fuel supply pipe 9, and a water supply pipe (not shown). The water is supplied via the fuel gas, and steam reforming is performed with the raw fuel and the water to generate fuel gas. Therefore, the reformer 8 has a structure capable of performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction, and includes a vaporizing section for vaporizing water and a fuel gas for reforming raw fuel. And a reforming section in which a reforming catalyst (not shown) is arranged.

  The reformer 8 disposed above the fuel cell 4 is made efficient by burning the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas that are not used for power generation of the fuel cell above the fuel cell 4. Heating can be performed well, and reforming efficiency in the reformer 8 can be improved.

  The reformer 8 is connected to the manifold 6 via the fuel gas flow pipe 10, and the fuel gas that has flowed through the reformer 8 is supplied to the manifold 6 and is provided in the fuel cell 4 from the manifold 6. Supplied to the gas flow path. Although not shown, the reforming portion of the reformer 8 is filled with a granular or powdery reforming catalyst in which a metal such as Ru or Pt is supported on a support made of ceramic balls or pellets. ing. Note that ceramic balls may also be disposed in the vaporizing section in order to efficiently vaporize water.

  2 shows the cell stack device shown in FIG. 1, (a) a plan view and (b) a partially enlarged plan view. In addition, in FIG. 2, the top view of the state which removed the reformer 8 is shown.

  In the cell stack apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 2, fuel cells 4 having gas flow paths 18 through which fuel gas flows from one end to the other are arranged in a row in an upright state, and adjacent fuel cells. The four are electrically connected in series via the current collecting member 12a, and the lower end of the fuel cell 4 is an insulating adhesive 50 such as a glass sealing material (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as an adhesive). One cell stack 5 fixed to the manifold 6 is provided.

  Further, an end current collecting member 12b is bonded to the fuel cell 4 located on the outermost side of the cell stack 5, and an outer side of the end current collecting member 12b is bonded to the end current collecting member 12b. An electrically connected conductive member 7 is provided.

  The manifold 6 stores fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 4, a gas case 51 having an opening on the upper surface, and a frame 52 fixed to the gas case 51 while fixing the fuel cell 4 inside. And.

  One end of the fuel cell 4 is surrounded by a frame body 52, and the outer periphery of the lower end portion of the fuel cell 4 is fixed by an adhesive 50 filled inside the frame body 52. That is, the cell stack 5 accommodates the plurality of fuel cells 4 side by side inside the frame body 52 and is bonded to the frame body 52 with the adhesive 50. The adhesive 50 is made of a material such as glass, and a material added with a predetermined filler in consideration of a thermal expansion coefficient can be used.

  The gas case 51 constituting the manifold 6 has an opening for supplying gas to the gas flow path 18 of the fuel cell 4 on the upper surface, and one end of an annular frame 52 so that the cell stack 5 closes the opening. The portion is inserted into and fixed to a groove (not shown) formed so as to surround the opening 25 of the gas case 51. One end portion of the frame body 52 is bonded to the gas case 51 in a state of being embedded in the adhesive 50 in the groove portion, and the portion other than the gas flow path 18 of the fuel cell 4 is hermetically sealed. .

  In this configuration, before connecting the cell stack 5 to the gas case 51, one end of the fuel cell 4 is separately bonded to the frame body 52 with the adhesive 50, and then the frame body 52 is bonded to the gas case 51. And can be sealed.

The fuel battery cell 4 has a gas flow path 18 inside, and a cross section having a pair of opposed flat surfaces is flat, and as an inner electrode layer on one flat surface of the columnar conductive support 17 as a whole. The fuel electrode layer 13, the solid electrolyte layer 14, and the air electrode layer 15 as the outer electrode layer are sequentially laminated, and the interconnector is formed on the other flat surface where the air electrode layer 15 is not formed. 16 is laminated. And the fuel cell 4 is electrically connected in series by arrange | positioning the fuel cell 4 via the current collection members 12a and 12b. A conductive bonding material 19 is provided on the outer surface of the interconnector 16 and the outer surface of the air electrode layer 15, and the current collecting members 12 a and 12 b are connected to the air electrode layer 15 and the interconnect via the bonding material 19. By connecting to the connector 16, the contact between them becomes an ohmic contact, the potential drop is reduced, and the deterioration of the conductive performance can be effectively suppressed.

  Below, each member which comprises the fuel cell 4 shown in FIG. 2 is demonstrated.

As the fuel electrode layer 13, generally known ones can be used, and porous conductive ceramics, for example, ZrO ₂ in which a rare earth element oxide is dissolved (referred to as stabilized zirconia, also partially stabilized). And Ni and / or NiO.

The solid electrolyte layer 14 has a function as an electrolyte that bridges electrons between the electrodes, and at the same time needs to have a gas barrier property in order to prevent leakage between the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas. 3 to 15 mol% of rare earth element oxide is formed from ZrO ₂ as a solid solution. In addition, as long as it has the said characteristic, you may form using another material etc.

The air electrode layer 15 is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used. For example, the air electrode layer 15 can be formed of a conductive ceramic made of a so-called ABO ₃ type perovskite oxide. The air electrode layer 15 is required to have gas permeability and preferably has an open porosity of 20% or more, particularly 30 to 50%.

Although the interconnector 16 can be formed from conductive ceramics, it is required to have reduction resistance and oxidation resistance because it is in contact with a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and an oxygen-containing gas (air, etc.). Therefore, a lanthanum chromite-based perovskite oxide (LaCrO ₃ -based oxide) is preferably used. The interconnector 16 must be dense to prevent leakage of fuel gas flowing through the plurality of gas flow paths 18 formed in the conductive support 17 and oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the conductive support 17. Preferably, it has a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

The conductive support 17 is required to be gas permeable in order to allow the fuel gas to permeate to the fuel electrode layer 13 and to be conductive in order to collect current through the interconnector 16. . Therefore, as the conductive support 17, it is necessary to adopt a material satisfying such a requirement as a material, and for example, conductive ceramics, cermet, or the like can be used. In producing the fuel cell 4, when producing the conductive support 17 by simultaneous firing with the fuel electrode layer 13 or the solid electrolyte layer 14, an iron group metal component and a specific rare earth oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ , It is preferable to form the conductive support 17 from Yb ₂ O ₃ or the like. The conductive support 17 preferably has an open porosity of 30% or more, particularly 35 to 50% in order to have the required gas permeability, and the conductivity is 300 S / cm or more. In particular, it is preferably 440 S / cm or more.

  Although not shown, the solid electrolyte layer 14 and the air electrode layer 15 are firmly joined between the solid electrolyte layer 14 and the air electrode layer 15, and the components of the solid electrolyte layer 14 and the air electrode Ce (cerium) and other rare earth elements (at least one of Sm, Y, Yb, and Gd) are added for the purpose of suppressing the formation of a reaction layer having a high electrical resistance by reacting with the components of the layer 15. An intermediate layer can also be provided.

  In addition, the solid electrolyte layer 14 and the air electrode layer 15 are firmly bonded, and the components of the solid electrolyte layer 14 and the components of the air electrode layer 15 react to form a reaction layer having high electrical resistance. For the purpose of suppression, the intermediate layer may be formed of two layers.

  Although not shown, an adhesion layer is provided between the interconnector 16 and the conductive support 17 to reduce a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the interconnector 16 and the conductive support 17. It can also be provided.

The adhesion layer can have a composition similar to that of the fuel electrode layer 13, and is formed of, for example, ZrO ₂ (referred to as stabilized zirconia) in which a rare earth element such as YSZ is dissolved and Ni and / or NiO. can do. Note that the volume ratio of ZrO ₂ in which the rare earth element is dissolved and Ni and / or NiO is preferably in the range of 40:60 to 60:40.

  3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the module of the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the module shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a partially extracted perspective view of the module shown in FIG.

  The module 1 of this embodiment is configured by storing a cell stack device 3 in a storage container 2. Here, the storage container 2 is provided with channels through which various gases flow. By making these channels simple, the mass productivity of the module 1 can be improved and the cost can be reduced. It can be a module.

  Therefore, in the module 1 shown in FIG. 3, first, a first plate member 20 including a projecting portion 39 partially protruding toward the cell stack device 3 on the side of the cell stack device 3 and the first plate member. The second plate member 21 to be joined to other than the protruding portion 39 is provided, and the space between the protruding portion 39 of the first plate member and the second plate member 21 is supplied to the fuel cell 4. A first flow path 33 through which a reaction gas (oxygen-containing gas) flows is provided. A supply port 22 is provided below the first plate member 20 for flowing the oxygen-containing gas flowing in the first flow path toward the fuel cell 4.

  That is, in configuring the first flow path 33, a part of the first plate member 20 is bent to the fuel cell 4 side, and the unbent portion and the flat plate-like second plate member 21 are joined. That is, the first flow path 33 can be configured with only two plate members. As a result, mass productivity can be improved and cost can be reduced.

  Here, the protrusion 39 in the first plate member 20 in the cell stack 5 may be determined in consideration of the temperature distribution in the cell stack 2 in the arrangement direction. What is necessary is just to set it as the range of 80 to 120% with respect to the arrangement direction. The height direction is preferably from the lower end to the upper end of the fuel cell 4. Thereby, heat exchange can be efficiently performed between the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the first flow path 33 and the cell stack 5, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. Here, in the first flow path 33, the flow path on the lower end side of the fuel battery cell 4 is narrowed, so that the distance between the fuel battery cell 4 and the flow path 33 is increased. Since heat exchange between the oxygen-containing gases flowing through the first flow path 33 is suppressed, the temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the fuel cell 4 can also be improved, and the power generation efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, a first box-like portion 23 having a space inside is provided outside the second plate member 21 alone or joined to the first plate member 20 or the second plate member 21. . And this 1st box-shaped part 23 is provided with the heat insulation function. Accordingly, the power generation chamber 34 can be maintained at a high temperature, and heat exchange between the power generation chamber 34 in which the cell stack device 3 is accommodated and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the first flow path 33 can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, heat exchange between a discharge path described later and an oxygen-containing gas flowing through the second flow path located on the side of the discharge path can be efficiently performed. In FIG. 2, a configuration in which the first box-like portion 23 alone is formed as a box-like portion is joined to the second plate member 21. In joining, it can join by welding, for example.

  With the above configuration, the power generation chamber 34 can be insulated with a simpler configuration, so that mass productivity can be improved and cost can be reduced.

  In addition, when the 1st box-shaped part 23 has a heat insulation function, it has heat insulation function suitably, such as bringing the space of the 1st box-shaped part 23 close to a vacuum, or arrange | positioning a plate-shaped heat insulating material inside. What is necessary is just to comprise.

  Here, in order to increase the heat insulation efficiency particularly in the first box-shaped portion 23, it is preferable to arrange a heat-insulating material in the space of the first box-shaped portion 23, and in particular, a granule or powder heat-insulating material is arranged. It is preferable. That is, by forming the heat insulating material in the form of granules or powder, the heat insulating material can be finely filled inside the first box-shaped portion 23, thereby improving the heat insulating efficiency.

  Subsequently, on the outside of the first box-shaped portion 23, a second box-shaped portion 24 which is formed alone or joined to the second plate member 21 and has a space inside is provided. Here, the first plate member 20, the second plate member 21, and the second box-shaped portion 24 have their upper ends higher than the upper ends of the first box-shaped portions 23, A communication path 35 connecting the space inside the first plate member 20 (the power generation chamber 34 in FIG. 3) and the second box-like part 24 is provided above the box-like part 24 of the second box-like part. The inside of the shaped part 25 is a second flow path 36 through which exhaust gas, which is a gas in the power generation chamber 34, flows.

  As a result, the exhaust gas in the power generation chamber 34 flows through the second flow path 36 of the second box-shaped portion 24 via the communication path 35, and the exhaust gas in the power generation chamber 34 is discharged to the outside with a simple configuration. Thus, the productivity can be improved and the cost can be reduced. In FIG. 3, the second box-like portion 24 is joined to the second plate member 21 by bending one plate member, so that a simpler configuration can be achieved. Although not shown, the second box-shaped part 24 may be configured as a single box-shaped member and joined to the first box-shaped part 23.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the communication path 35 extracted. In FIG. 5, three cuts (upper side and both side sides) are made in a part of the first plate member 20, and the cut portions are bent toward the second plate member 21 side. . On the other hand, three cuts (upper, lower, and central longitudinal directions) are also made in the second plate member 21, and the cut portions are bent toward the first plate member 20. The bent ones are joined together. And although not shown in FIG. 5, the plate member used as the 2nd box-shaped part 24 is joined to this rather than the notch | incision of the 2nd plate member 21, and it is set as the communicating path 35. Can do. When the second box-shaped portion 24 is formed of a box-shaped member, an opening is provided on the second plate member 21 side so that the opening and the notch of the second plate member 21 overlap. Thus, the communication path 35 can be formed. In addition, about the notch | incision of the 1st board member 20 and the 2nd board member 21, it is good also as a reverse structure.

  A third box-shaped portion 25 is provided below the second box-shaped portion 24, and a communication port 26 that communicates with the second box-shaped portion 24 is provided in the third box-shaped portion 25. Is provided. The communication port 26 may be provided along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 4. As a result, the exhaust gas flowing through the second box-shaped portion 24 flows into the third box-shaped portion 25. That is, the inside of the third box-shaped portion 25 is the exhaust gas collection chamber 37. Note that an exhaust gas pipe (not shown) is connected to the exhaust gas collecting chamber 37 so that the exhaust gas is discharged to the outside of the module 1.

  Here, when the second box-shaped portion 24 is constituted by a single plate member, the lower end portion of the plate member may be joined to the upper surface or the side surface of the third box-shaped portion 25. What is necessary is just to join to the upper surface of the 3rd box-shaped part 25, when making the box-shaped part 24 into a box-shaped member.

  A fourth box-shaped portion 27 that is larger in the width direction than the third box-shaped portion 25 is provided below the third box-shaped portion 25. In addition, an introduction pipe 30 communicating with the fourth box-shaped portion 27 is connected to the bottom surface side of the fourth box-shaped portion 27 so that an oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced. Thereby, the inside of the fourth box-shaped portion 27 serves as an air collection chamber 31 for collecting the air introduced from the introduction pipe 30 at one end.

  On the other hand, a plate member 29 serving as an outer wall is joined to the fourth box-shaped portion 27. It should be noted that the plate member 29 serving as the outer wall can also be configured by bending a single plate member. A space between the plate member 29 serving as the outer wall and the third box-like portion 25 and the second box-like portion 24 is a third flow path 32 through which the oxygen-containing gas flows. 3 shows an example in which the plate member 29 is bonded to the side surface of the fourth box-shaped portion 27, but the plate member 29 may be bonded to the upper surface of the fourth box-shaped portion 27.

  The upper surface of the fourth box-shaped portion 27 communicates with a third flow path 32 that is a space between the plate member 29 serving as an outer wall, the third box-shaped portion 25, and the second box-shaped portion 24. The communication port 28 is provided, and after the air or the like introduced from the introduction pipe 30 flows through the third flow path 32 via the communication port 28, the first plate member 20 and the second plate member Thus, the fuel gas is supplied from the supply port 22 toward the fuel cell 4.

  Then, the plate member 29 serving as the outer wall is connected to both end sides (front and rear surfaces) in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 4 of the cell stack device 3, whereby the module 1 of the present embodiment can be obtained. . Therefore, as is apparent from the above description, the storage container 2 in the module 1 of the present embodiment is configured by simply bending a plurality of plate members or joining box-like members. Therefore, mass productivity can be improved and cost can be reduced. In addition, each plate member and box member which comprise the storage container 2 can be comprised with the metal etc. which have heat resistance.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the module of the present embodiment. In the module 41 shown in FIG. 6, the lower ends of the first plate members 20 located on both sides of the fuel cell 4 are positioned below the cell stack device 3 as compared with the module 1 shown in FIG. 1. Connected through a bottom portion 42.

  As a result, the first plate member 20 located on both sides of the fuel cell 4 can be configured such that one plate member is bent from the bottom. Thereby, mass productivity can be further improved and cost can be further reduced.

  6 shows an example in which the lower ends of the respective first plate members 20 are connected via the bottom portion 42. For example, the second plate members located on both sides of the fuel cell 4 are shown. It is good also as a structure which each lower end of 21 connected via the bottom part located below a cell stack apparatus. In other words, the second plate member 21 located on both sides of the fuel cell 4 may be configured to be bent with a single plate material as a starting point.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the module of the present embodiment. In the module 43 shown in FIG. 7, compared with the module 41 shown in FIG. 6, the first box-like portion 44 is configured by bending one plate member and joining it to the second plate member 21. ing. Thereby, mass productivity can be further improved and cost can be further reduced.

  Here, in the case where the first box-shaped portion 44 has a configuration in which one plate member is bent, each of the first box-shaped portions 44 has a first stack portion as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the lower end of the plate member 20 or the lower end of the second plate member 21 is connected to the bottom. Thereby, the cell stack device 3 can be held in the power generation chamber 34 by the bottom.

  8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing still another example of the module of the present embodiment, in which a convex heat insulating material is arranged below the cell stack device. 8 shows an example in which the first box-like portion 47 is joined to the second plate member 21 as a box member, and the module 48 shown in FIG. In this example, one plate member is bent and joined to the second plate member 21.

  When the bottom surface of the cell stack device is disposed on the bottom 42 or the third box-shaped portion 25 of the first plate member 20 made of metal, the heat of the cell stack device passes through the manifold 6 to the first plate. Heat is transferred to the bottom part 42 of the member 20 or the third box-like part 25, which may cause the temperature of the cell stack device 3 to decrease.

  Further, when the fuel cell 4 is a solid oxide fuel cell, the temperature in the module 1 is as high as 500 to 1000 ° C., so that the metal constituting each plate member or box-shaped portion is deformed. There is a case. In particular, when the first plate member 20 is deformed to the cell stack device 3 side, there is a possibility of a show.

  Therefore, in the modules 45 and 48 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the first plate member 20 or the second plate member 21 does not have a bottom portion, and a heat insulating material is provided below the cell stack device 3. 46 is arranged. Thereby, it can suppress that the heat of the cell stack apparatus 3 is transmitted to each plate member or box-shaped member by a heat insulating material, and can suppress that the temperature of the cell stack apparatus 3 falls.

  Furthermore, by making this heat insulating material 46 convex and arranging the side surface of this convex part and the first plate member 20 in contact with each other, it is possible to suppress the first plate member 20 from being deformed to the cell stack device side. The possibility of short-circuiting can be reduced. Therefore, by disposing the convex heat insulating material, the power generation efficiency can be further improved and the module can be improved in reliability.

  The first box members 47 and 49 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may have a shape that can hold the convex heat insulating material 46.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell device which is a module housing device in which the module 1 and an auxiliary machine for operating the module 1 are housed in the outer case. In FIG. 10, a part of the configuration is omitted.

  A fuel cell device 53 shown in FIG. 10 divides the interior of an outer case composed of a column 54 and an outer plate 55 by a partition plate 56, and the upper side serves as a module storage chamber 57 for storing the above-described modules. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary machine storage chamber 58 for storing auxiliary machines for operating each module. Auxiliaries stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 58 are not shown.

  In addition, the partition plate 56 is provided with an air circulation port 59 for flowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 58 toward the module storage chamber 57, and a part of the exterior plate 57 constituting the module storage chamber 57 An exhaust port 60 for exhausting air in the module storage chamber 57 is provided.

  In such a fuel cell device, the modules as described above are accommodated in the outer case, so that the productivity can be improved and the fuel cell device 53 can be reduced in cost.

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

  For example, in the above description, the example in which the cell stack device 3 including one cell stack 5 is housed in the power generation chamber 34 has been described. However, for example, the cell stack device including two or more cell stacks or the cell stack A plurality of devices may be stored. In this case, the shape of the reformer may be changed as appropriate.

  In the above-described example, the case where the oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced from the introduction pipe 30 has been described. However, for example, the fuel gas may be introduced from the introduction pipe 30. In this case, an oxygen-containing gas may be supplied to the manifold 6, and the fuel cell 4 may be configured such that the inner electrode serves as an air electrode layer and the outer electrode serves as a fuel electrode layer.

  Further, in the above-described example, the fuel cell 4 called a so-called vertical stripe type has been described. However, a so-called cylindrical type, a flat plate type, or a horizontal stripe type in which a plurality of power generation element portions generally called a horizontal stripe type are provided on a support. The fuel battery cell can also be used.

1, 41, 43, 45, 48: Module 2: Storage container 3: Cell stack device 4: Fuel cell 20: First plate member 21: Second plate member 23, 44, 47, 49: First Box-shaped portion 24: second box-shaped portion 35: communication path 39: projecting portion 46: convex heat insulating material 53: module housing device

Claims (11)

A module that stores a cell stack device in which a plurality of cells are arranged in a storage container,
The storage container includes a first plate member provided with a protruding portion at least partially arranged on a side of the cell stack device and protruding toward the cell stack device, and the protruding portion of the first plate member. A first flow path through which a reaction gas supplied to the cell flows between the projecting portion of the first plate member and the second plate member. The module characterized by being said.   The first plate member and the second plate member are arranged on both sides of the cell stack device, and each of the first plate member or the second plate member is the cell stack. The module according to claim 1, wherein the modules are connected via a bottom located below the apparatus.   A first box-like portion having a space inside is provided on the outside of the second plate member alone or joined to the first plate member or the second plate member, and the box The module according to claim 1, wherein the shape portion has a heat insulating function.   The module according to claim 3, wherein a heat insulating material in the form of granules or powder is provided in the space of the box-shaped portion.   The second box-shaped portion is provided on the outside of the first box-shaped portion alone or joined to the second plate member and has a space inside. Is a second flow path which is connected to the space inside the first plate member and through which gas flows in the space inside the first plate member. 4. The module according to 4.   The upper ends of the first plate member, the second plate member, and the second box-shaped portion are higher than the upper ends of the first box-shaped portions, respectively, and the first box-shaped portion 6. The module according to claim 5, wherein a communication path connecting the space inside the first plate member and the second box-shaped portion is provided above the first plate member.   One plate member of the first plate member or the second plate member includes a bent portion that bends toward the other plate member, one end of which is joined to the other plate member, and the other The plate member is bent toward the one plate member, and is joined to a side of the bent portion and the one plate-like portion to constitute a part of the communication path. Modules.   The third box-shaped portion is provided below the second box-shaped portion, and the second box-shaped portion and the third box-shaped portion are communicated with each other. The module according to any one of claims 5 to 7.   A fourth box-shaped portion having a width wider than the third box-shaped portion is provided below the third box-shaped portion, and an outer wall provided outside the second box-shaped portion is provided. The third flow path is connected to the fourth box-shaped portion, and a space between the outer wall, the second box-shaped portion, and the fourth box-shaped portion is a third flow path. The module according to 8.   A convex heat insulating material is disposed below the cell stack device, and a side surface of the convex portion of the heat insulating material and the first plate member are disposed in contact with each other. The module according to claim 9.   11. A module housing device comprising the module according to claim 1 and an auxiliary machine for operating the module housed in an outer case.

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