JP2018041608A - Solid oxide fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device having a fluid treatment device for preventing outflow of filler from a prescribed space, and suppressing increase in pressure loss.SOLUTION: A solid oxide fuel cell device for generating power by reaction of fuel gas and oxidant gas has a fluid treatment device 10 for treating fluid involved in power generation in a fuel cell module. The fluid treatment device includes a case, and multiple granular fillers filling the case and changing the state of fluid passing through the inside of the case. Inside of the case is connected with a fluid pipe 13 for passing the fluid, and the bore diameter of the fluid pipe is larger than the grain size of the filler. Furthermore, the fluid pipe has a filler passage inhibition part 14 for inhibiting passage of filler by the shape of the fluid pipe, and suppressing increase in pressure loss of the fluid pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell device, and more particularly to a solid oxide fuel cell device that generates electric power by a reaction between a fuel gas obtained by reforming a raw material gas and an oxidant gas.

  A solid oxide fuel cell device (hereinafter also referred to as “SOFC”) uses an oxide ion conductive solid electrolyte as an electrolyte, and a fuel cell having electrodes attached to both sides thereof in a multi-module container. The fuel cell is arranged to supply a fuel gas to one electrode (fuel electrode) and supply an oxidant gas (air, oxygen, etc.) to the other electrode (air electrode) to generate power by a power generation reaction. It is a device for extracting electric power, and operates at a relatively high temperature of, for example, about 700 to 1000 ° C. with respect to other fuel cell devices such as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell device.

  Conventionally, various fluid processing apparatuses have been used to process fluids such as fuel gas involved in power generation of fuel cells in such a solid oxide fuel cell apparatus. For example, in order to generate hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel battery cell, the fluid processing apparatus includes a reformer that reforms a raw material gas composed of a hydrocarbon such as natural gas with steam to generate hydrogen, or a modified unit. Evaporator generated by evaporating water supplied with water vapor supplied to the gasifier, desulfurizer that removes sulfur components that cause deterioration of the fuel cell from the raw material gas in advance, exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell device And a combustion catalyst device that burns and discharges carbon monoxide (CO). In general, these fluid processing apparatuses are filled with a granular filler such as a catalyst in order to execute or accelerate each process.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a reformer that generates hydrogen by reforming a hydrocarbon such as natural gas and steam in order to generate hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell as a fluid treatment device. ing. While the reformer case is filled with a spherical reforming catalyst, the reformer case is formed with circular holes for connecting the fuel gas supply pipe and the outlet pipe. An outflow prevention unit is provided so that the reforming catalyst does not flow out.

  The outflow prevention part is a plate-like member provided in the reformer, and is connected to the bottom surface of the reformer vertically. By providing a large number of slit-shaped openings having a short side shorter than the diameter of the reforming catalyst and a long side longer than the diameter of the reforming catalyst in the outflow prevention part, a reforming catalyst that can withstand deformation of the opening is provided. The outflow prevention mechanism is realized.

JP 2011-210631 A

  However, when such an outflow prevention plate is used in the fluid processing apparatus, the outflow prevention plate is used for the purpose of supporting the filler in a predetermined space and preventing it from flowing out of the predetermined space. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a predetermined support strength. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the area of the opening portion of the outflow prevention plate because this leads to a decrease in the support strength. Therefore, the new subject that the pressure loss of the fluid which passes an outflow prevention board increases has arisen.

  Further, when the outflow prevention plate is used, a member for configuring the outflow prevention plate is required separately, which becomes an obstacle to promoting the cost reduction of the fuel cell device.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a solid oxide fuel cell device having a fluid treatment device that prevents the filler from flowing out from a predetermined space and suppresses an increase in pressure loss.

  One aspect of a solid oxide fuel cell device according to the present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device that generates power by a reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and a fluid that processes a fluid involved in power generation in a fuel cell module. The fluid processing apparatus includes a case and a plurality of granular fillers that change the state of the fluid that is filled inside the case and passes through the inside of the case. Connected to the fluid piping to be passed, the inner diameter of the fluid piping is larger than the particle size of the filler, and the fluid piping prohibits the passage of the filler depending on the shape of the fluid piping and suppresses an increase in pressure loss of the fluid piping. It has a filler passage prohibition part.

  In a solid oxide fuel cell device, a fluid processing device that processes a fluid involved in power generation of a fuel cell module. For example, in order to generate hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell, a raw material gas composed of hydrocarbons such as natural gas is used. Deterioration of the reformer that reacts with steam to generate hydrogen by reforming, the evaporator that is generated by evaporating the water supplied with steam supplied to the reformer, the reforming catalyst and the fuel cell Examples thereof include a desulfurizer that removes inviting sulfur components from the raw material gas in advance, and a combustion catalyst device that burns and discharges carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell device.

  These fluid treatment devices are filled with a catalyst that causes a catalytic reaction and a granular filler for causing a change in the state of the fluid in accordance with the purpose of the fluid treatment device such as promoting heating of the fluid. However, this granular filler is removed from the predetermined space of the fluid processing device to the outside due to various reasons such as dropping due to its own weight, pressure fluctuation in the flow path, vibration during fuel cell device removal, operation, and operation. There was a risk of spillage. As a result, the occupied amount of the filler in the predetermined space of the fluid processing apparatus is reduced, and therefore, the processing is performed by a leak path caused by a decrease in the filler in addition to a decrease in the absolute processing capacity of the target fluid processing apparatus. Instead, fluid is discharged outside the case. Therefore, conventionally, a partition plate having a plurality of openings (slits) is arranged inside the case of the fluid treatment device so that the granular filler does not flow out of the predetermined space of the fluid treatment device, thereby allowing the filling member to flow out. Was preventing.

  However, since the outflow prevention plate is intended to prevent the outflow of the filler itself, the opening area of the outflow prevention plate cannot be increased while maintaining its own strength. The new subject that the pressure loss of the fluid which passes a prevention board increases has arisen.

  Further, when the outflow prevention plate is used, a member for configuring the outflow prevention plate is required separately, which becomes an obstacle to promoting the cost reduction of the fuel cell device.

  On the other hand, in the aspect of the present invention, instead of disposing the outflow prevention plate inside the fluid processing apparatus, the piping itself connected to the case of the fluid processing apparatus prohibits the outflow of the filler and increases the pressure loss. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize a filler outflow prevention mechanism that does not add a separate member and does not increase pressure loss.

  Here, the filler refers to a reforming catalyst such as a Ru-based catalyst or a Ni-based catalyst used for reforming fuel gas, or a heat conduction made of ceramics having a large heat capacity such as alumina, zirconia, titania, etc. for promoting water evaporation. Desulfurization catalyst that removes sulfur component of raw material gas, noble metal type catalyst such as platinum and palladium, or base metal type combustion catalyst such as manganese and iron, etc. to promote oxidation of unburned components in off-gas after combustion is there. The granular form is not limited to a sphere but is a fine structure having a predetermined surface area, but does not include powder, can secure a fluid path in a gap, and particularly preferably has a particle diameter of 2 mm or more.

  In addition, the fluid to be processed in the fluid processing apparatus is a raw material gas such as city gas or LP gas, a reformed gas obtained by reforming the raw material gas, water, water vapor, air, or a gas supplied to the fuel battery cell. This means gas, liquid, or a mixture thereof necessary for the use of the fuel cell device, exemplified by off-gas, combustion gas (exhaust gas) burned off-gas and the like.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the filler passage prohibition portion has an internal shape in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the direction of the fluid flowing inside the fluid pipe, and the short side or the short axis is smaller than the particle size of the filler, And it is preferable that it is an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape whose long side or long axis is larger than the internal diameter of the other part of fluid piping.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, a part of the fluid piping is partially narrowed and partially expanded so that the filler to be flowed out is always prevented from flowing out and flowed. Since the road area is made wide, it is possible to realize the suppression of the increase in pressure loss while preventing the passage of the filler by a simple method of partially changing the shape of the fluid piping.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided in a non-bent portion of the fluid piping.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided in the non-bent portion of the pipe. Therefore, in the high temperature operation solid oxide fuel cell device, it is caused by thermal expansion at high temperature. By disposing it in the non-bent portion without providing it in the bent portion where stress concentration tends to occur, concentration of thermal stress can be avoided and a highly durable piping structure can be maintained.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the filler passage prohibiting portion is preferably provided in a portion extending in the vertical direction of the fluid piping.

  According to the present invention configured as above, by providing the filler passage prohibiting portion in a part of the fluid pipe extending in the vertical direction, the effect of the weight acting on the filler in addition to the structure of the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided. It is possible to prevent the filler from flowing out. Further, in the case where the fluid pipe is a pipe that supplies a fluid to the fluid processing apparatus, the outflow of the filler can be inhibited by blowing the fluid into the fluid processing apparatus.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the fluid processing apparatus is an evaporator that generates water vapor for reforming the raw material gas into fuel gas from the water supplied therein as a fluid, and the filler passage prohibiting unit includes: The fluid pipe is provided in a region extending in the horizontal direction, and the filler passage prohibition portion has a long side or a long axis that is longer in the vertical direction than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe, and the bottom position of the filler passage prohibition portion is It is preferably lower than the position of the bottom of the continuous fluid piping.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided in the water supply pipe connected to the evaporator, when the shape is long in the horizontal direction and short in the vertical direction, the amount of water flowing through the pipe is small. It cannot accumulate over the filler passage prohibition part and accumulates. Further, by supplying a further amount of water, the constant amount of water that has accumulated will overcome the filler passage prohibition section at once, so that a water mass will be supplied to the evaporation chamber all at once, and a stable supply of water to the evaporation chamber will be achieved. Be inhibited. According to this aspect, it is possible to achieve both suppression of increase in pressure loss and prevention of the outflow of the filler while maintaining a stable supply of water.

  Moreover, in 1 aspect of this invention, it is preferable that the filler passage prohibition part is integrated in the inside of a heat insulating material.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, by providing the filler passage prohibiting portion in the horizontal portion of the pipe, it is possible to realize a pipe routing structure having a low height in the height direction. For this reason, when covering a fluid processing apparatus and fluid piping with a heat insulating material, the thickness of a heat insulating material can be made thin and the compact design of a fuel cell apparatus is enabled.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the filler passage prohibiting portion is smoothly continuous with the surface of the fluid piping.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the filler passage prohibition portion has a unique shape with respect to the fluid piping, stress concentrates on the filler passage prohibition portion. Therefore, the concentration of stress can be suppressed by making the switching portion of the filler passage prohibition portion provided in the fluid piping a smooth continuous surface.

  It is possible to provide a solid oxide fuel cell device having a fluid treatment device that prevents the filler from flowing out from a predetermined space and suppresses an increase in pressure loss.

It is a perspective view which shows the fluid processing apparatus with which the fluid piping provided with the filler passage prohibition part by one Embodiment of this invention was installed. It is sectional drawing which shows the fluid processing apparatus with which the fluid piping by one Embodiment of this invention was connected. It is a three-view figure which shows the fluid piping provided with the filler passage prohibition part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the filler passage prohibition part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fluid processing apparatus with which the fluid piping by one Embodiment of this invention was connected. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front sectional view showing a fuel cell module of a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the III-III line of FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a heat insulating material and a housing are removed from a fuel cell module of a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VC-VC in FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack of a solid oxide fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front sectional view showing a fuel cell module for explaining a flow of gas in a fuel cell module of a solid oxide fuel cell device by one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module taken along line III-III in FIG. 7 for explaining a gas flow in the fuel cell module of the solid oxide fuel cell device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The solid oxide fuel cell apparatus by which the heat exchanger by one Embodiment of this invention was provided separately.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. From the following description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are apparent to persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, the following description is to be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(Embodiment 1)
In the present embodiment, a fluid treatment device connected to a fluid pipe having a filler passage prohibiting portion in a solid oxide fuel cell device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows a fluid processing apparatus 10 provided in the solid oxide fuel cell apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is in the form of a hollow pipe for supplying fluid to the top surface extending in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction). It is a figure which shows that the fluid piping 13 is connected. In FIG. 1, the fluid piping 13 extends in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) from the right side (in FIG. 1, the description of the piping in the right direction from the right end is omitted to indicate that the fluid piping is pipe-shaped). The top surface portion of the fluid processing apparatus 10 is bent in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) and connected to the top surface of the fluid processing apparatus 10.

  In FIG. 1, two pipes are described as the fluid pipes 13. For example, when the fluid processing apparatus 10 is an evaporator that generates water vapor to be supplied to the reformer, the two fluid pipes are connected. It can be set as a water supply pipe and a source gas supply pipe. Or when water and source gas are mixed beforehand and supplied to an evaporator, the fluid piping 13 as a supply pipe is enough. As described above, the number of fluid pipes 13 may be set as appropriate in accordance with the application and function of the fluid processing apparatus 10.

  Here, a filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is provided in a horizontally extending portion in the vicinity of the bent portion of the fluid piping.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view about the xz plane of the fluid processing apparatus 10 to which the fluid piping 13 is connected. For simplicity, the fluid processing apparatus 10 is represented by a rectangular case 11. The case 11 is filled with a granular filler 12. The filler 12 is filled with a material corresponding to the application, function, etc. of the fluid processing apparatus 10. The filler 12 includes a reforming catalyst such as a Ru-based catalyst and a Ni-based catalyst used for reforming fuel gas, and a ceramic heat conduction member having a large heat capacity such as alumina, zirconia, and titania for promoting water evaporation. , Desulfurization catalyst for removing sulfur component of raw material gas, noble metal type catalyst such as platinum and palladium or base metal type combustion catalyst such as manganese and iron for promoting oxidation of unburned components in off-gas after combustion It is done. The granular form is not limited to a sphere but is a fine structure having a predetermined surface area, but does not include powder, can secure a fluid path in a gap, and particularly preferably has a particle diameter of 2 mm or more. Note that the filling material 12 does not necessarily have to be packed in the top surface of the case 11 without a gap, and as shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to adjust according to the purpose, function, and performance of ten.

  In FIG. 2, pipes are connected to the right top surface and the left central side surface of the fluid processing apparatus 10. From the fluid pipe 13 connected to the right top surface, fluid is supplied to the region filled with the filler 12 inside the case 11, and from the pipe connected to the left central side surface of the case 11 inside the case 11. The processed fluid is discharged to the outside of the fluid processing apparatus 10.

  In the fluid processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a heating source 15 is provided below the case 11 in order to heat the fluid and the filler 12 that pass through the case 11. It is preferable that the heating source 15 uniformly heats the region filled with the filler 12 inside the case 11 so that the fluid processing apparatus 10 uniformly processes the target fluid. As the heating source 15, an external burner or an electric heater may be used, exhaust heat using combustion exhaust gas obtained by burning off gas remaining in the power generation reaction by the fuel cell may be used, and various other known heating methods. Means can be used.

  In such an aspect of the fluid processing apparatus 10, the flow of fluid passing through the inside, the increase in the pressure of the fluid, the vibration generated during operation of the solid oxide fuel cell device including the fluid processing apparatus 10, etc. The filler 12 in the case 11 leaks out of the case 11 due to various factors. Therefore, in place of the partition plate having a slit disposed inside the conventional fluid processing apparatus, in the present embodiment, a filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is provided in the fluid pipe 13. In FIG. 3, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a top view (A), a front sectional view (B), and a side sectional view (C) showing the fluid pipe 13 provided with the filler passage prohibiting portion 14. As shown in FIG. 3A, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is configured to be smaller (narrower) than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13 when viewed from above, while as shown in FIG. Is larger (wider) than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13. That is, as shown in FIG. 3C, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the direction of the fluid flowing inside the fluid piping 13, the internal shape of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is a rectangular shape (rectangular shape), The upper and lower ends are arc-shaped. In addition, it is preferable to make the upper and lower ends arcuate because the concentration of thermal stress can be relaxed and durability can be improved, and the corners of the rectangular shape may be rounded. In addition, the internal shape of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 in the present embodiment may be an elliptical shape in which the vertical direction (z-axis direction) is the major axis and the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) is the minor axis.

  Here, in the above internal shape, the length of the short side or the short axis (W shown in FIG. 4) is formed to be smaller than the particle size of the filler 12. On the other hand, the length of the long side or the long axis (H shown in FIG. 4) is formed larger than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13. In this way, a part of the fluid pipe 13 is partially narrowed and partially expanded, so that the filling material that is about to flow out is obstructed from flowing out and the flow area is increased. The suppression of the increase in pressure loss while preventing the passage of the material can be realized by a simple method in which the shape of the fluid piping is partially changed.

  In addition, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has an inner diameter in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) longer than an inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13 and is in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction). The inner diameter is set smaller than the particle diameter of the filler 12, but as long as the purpose of suppressing the increase in pressure loss is satisfied while preventing the filler from passing through, the design is limited to this direction. I can't. That is, for example, the inner diameter in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) may be set smaller than the particle diameter of the filler 12 and the inner diameter in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) may be set longer than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13. As described above, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 may be set at any angle as long as the inner front cross-sectional shape of the long side or long axis and the short side or short axis are orthogonal to each other.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the fluid pipe 13 is joined perpendicularly to the top surface of the case 11 of the fluid processing apparatus 10, bent above the case 11, and extends in the horizontal direction. Exists. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the fluid pipe 13 has a horizontal extending portion 13a and a vertical extending portion 13b, and further has a bent portion 13c therebetween. Here, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is preferably provided in a non-bent portion such as the horizontally extending portion 13a of the fluid pipe 13 in FIG. With this configuration, in a solid oxide fuel cell device that operates at high temperature, the thermal stress concentration can be reduced by placing the solid oxide fuel cell device in a non-bent portion without providing a bent portion where stress concentration due to thermal expansion at high temperatures is likely to occur. It can avoid and maintain a highly durable piping structure.

  In the present embodiment, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is provided in the horizontal extending portion 13 a of the fluid pipe 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 may be provided in the vertical extending portion 13 b of the fluid pipe 13. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the fluid pipe 13 having a non-bending structure is joined so as to stand upright on the top surface of the fluid processing apparatus 10, the fluid pipe 13 extending in the vertical direction is partially attached. A filler passage prohibiting section 14 can be installed. In this case, the filler 12 can be prevented from flowing out to the outside due to the effect of its own weight acting on the filler in addition to the function of the structure of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14. Further, when the fluid pipe 13 is a pipe that supplies a fluid to the fluid processing apparatus 10, the outflow of the filler 12 can be inhibited by blowing the fluid into the fluid processing apparatus 10.

  Further, the filler passage prohibiting section 14 is not limited to a pipe functioning as a fluid supply pipe joined to the fluid processing apparatus 10, but discharges the processed fluid to the outside as shown in FIG. It may be added to a fluid discharge pipe.

  In addition, the filler passage prohibiting unit 14 may be installed in a portion of the fluid piping 13 inserted through the case 11 of the fluid processing apparatus 10 and located inside the fluid processing apparatus 10. Thereby, when installation of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is allowed in the internal space of the fluid processing apparatus 10, the outflow of the filler 12 can be prevented inside the fluid processing apparatus 10, and the fluid processing Since it is not necessary to install the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 in the fluid pipe 13 outside the apparatus 10, the shortest routing of the fluid pipe 13 outside is possible.

  Here, when the fluid processing apparatus 10 is an evaporator that generates water vapor for reforming the raw material gas into the fuel gas from the water supplied inside as the fluid, the filler passage prohibiting unit 14 connects the fluid pipe 13 to the fluid pipe 13. Provided in a region extending in the horizontal direction, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 has a long side or a long axis that is longer than the inner diameter of the fluid pipe 13 in the vertical direction, and the position of the bottom of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is continuous. It is preferable to make it lower than the position of the bottom of the fluid piping 13. When the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is provided in the water supply pipe connected to the evaporator, if the shape is long in the horizontal direction and short in the vertical direction, the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 can be overcome when the amount of water flowing through the pipe is small. It accumulates without being. Further, by supplying a further amount of water, the constant amount of water that has accumulated will pass over the filler passage prohibiting section 14 at a stretch, so that the water mass is supplied to the evaporation chamber all at once, and a stable supply of water to the evaporation chamber is achieved. Is inhibited. For this reason, by setting it as the said structure, coexistence of the increase suppression of a pressure loss and prevention of the outflow of a filler can be aimed at, maintaining the stable supply of the water of an evaporator.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the filler passage prohibition part 14 is incorporated in the heat insulating material (not shown). By providing the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 in the horizontal portion of the pipe, a pipe routing structure having a low height in the height direction can be realized. For this reason, when covering the fluid processing apparatus 10 and the fluid piping 13 with a heat insulating material, the thickness of a heat insulating material can be made thin and the compact design of a fuel cell apparatus is attained.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the surface of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 is smoothly continuous with the surface of the fluid pipe 13. Since the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 has a unique shape with respect to the fluid pipe 13, stress concentrates on the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 during assembly or high temperature operation. Therefore, stress concentration can be suppressed by making the switching portion of the filler passage prohibiting portion 14 provided in the fluid piping 13 a smooth continuous surface.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell device having a fluid processing apparatus to which a fluid pipe provided with a filler passage prevention unit according to the present invention is connected will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram showing a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a solid oxide fuel cell device 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell module 102 and an auxiliary unit 104.

  The fuel cell module 102 includes a housing 106, and a metal module case 108 is built in the housing 106 via a heat insulating material 107. In the power generation chamber 110, which is the lower part of the module case 108, which is a sealed space, a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as “oxidant gas”, “power generation air” or “air” as appropriate). A fuel cell assembly 112 that performs a power generation reaction is disposed. The fuel cell assembly 112 includes nine fuel cell stacks 114 (see FIG. 7). The fuel cell stacks 114 are composed of 16 fuel cell units 116 each including a fuel cell. It is configured. In this example, the fuel cell assembly 112 has 144 fuel cell units 116. In the fuel cell assembly 112, all of the plurality of fuel cell units 116 are connected in series.

  A combustion chamber 118 as a combustion section is formed above the power generation chamber 110 of the module case 108 of the fuel cell module 102. In this combustion chamber 118, residual fuel gas and residual air that have not been used for the power generation reaction are formed. The exhaust gas is combusted. Further, the module case 108 is covered with a heat insulating material 107, and the heat inside the fuel cell module 102 is prevented from being diffused to the outside air. Above the combustion chamber 118, a reformer 120 is disposed as a fluid treatment device for reforming the fuel gas, and the reformer 120 has a temperature at which the reforming reaction can be performed by the combustion heat of the residual gas. It is heated to become.

  Further, an evaporator 125 described later is provided in the heat insulating material 107 above the module case 108 in the housing 106. The evaporator 125 burns the exhaust gas, which is residual gas, in the combustion chamber 118, and the exhaust gas and water are supplied. By performing heat exchange between these exhaust gas and water, the water is evaporated and water vapor is generated. A fluid processing apparatus that generates and supplies a mixed gas of steam and raw fuel gas (hereinafter also referred to as “fuel gas”) to the reformer 120 in the module case 108.

  Next, the auxiliary unit 104 stores pure water tank 126 that stores water condensed from moisture contained in the exhaust from the fuel cell module 102 and uses the filter to obtain pure water, and water supplied from the water storage tank. A water flow rate adjustment unit 128 (such as a “water pump” driven by a motor) is provided. In addition, the auxiliary unit 104 adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas, the gas shutoff valve 132 that shuts off the fuel supplied from the fuel supply source 130 such as city gas, the desulfurizer 136 for removing sulfur from the fuel gas, A fuel flow rate adjusting unit 138 (such as a “fuel pump” driven by a motor) and a valve 139 for shutting off fuel gas flowing out from the fuel flow rate adjusting unit 138 when the power is lost. Further, the auxiliary unit 104 includes an electromagnetic valve 142 that shuts off air supplied from the air supply source 140, a reforming air flow rate adjusting unit 144 that adjusts the air flow rate, and a power generation air flow rate adjusting unit 145 (with a motor). Driven “air blower”, etc., a first heater 146 for heating the reforming air supplied to the reformer 120, and a second heater 148 for heating the power generating air supplied to the power generation chamber. I have. The first heater 146 and the second heater 148 are provided in order to efficiently raise the temperature at startup, but may be omitted.

  Next, a hot water production apparatus 150 to which exhaust gas is supplied is connected to the fuel cell module 102. The hot water production apparatus 150 is supplied with tap water from a water supply source 124. The tap water is heated by the heat of exhaust gas and supplied to a hot water storage tank of an external water heater (not shown). The fuel cell module 102 is provided with a control box 152 for controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied and the like. Further, the fuel cell module 102 is connected to an inverter 154 which is a power extraction unit (power conversion unit) for supplying the power generated by the fuel cell module to the outside.

  Next, the structure of the fuel cell module of the solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 is a side sectional view showing a fuel cell module of a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the fuel cell module with the housing and the heat insulating material removed. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fuel cell module 102 mainly includes the evaporator 125 provided in the heat insulating material 107 and outside the module case 108 as described above. The fuel cell assembly 112 and the reformer 120 are provided inside.

  The evaporator 125, which is a fluid processing apparatus, is fixed on the top plate 108a of the module case 108 (see FIG. 9). Further, a portion 107a of the heat insulating material 107 is disposed between the heat exchange module 121 and the module case 108 so as to fill these gaps. The portion 107a of the heat insulating material 107 is also disposed on the top plate 108a of the module case 108. (See FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Specifically, the evaporator 125 includes a fuel supply pipe 163 that supplies water and raw fuel gas (which may include reforming air) to one side end in the horizontal direction, and an exhaust gas for discharging the exhaust gas. A first exhaust gas exhaust passage 171 connected to an exhaust port 111 formed on the top plate 108a of the module case 108 is connected to the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 182 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) and is connected to the other end in the horizontal direction. Are connected (see FIG. 7). The exhaust port 111 is an opening for discharging the exhaust gas burned in the combustion chamber 118 in the module case 108 to the outside of the module case 108, and is formed at a substantially central portion of the top plate 108a of the module case 108. The evaporator 125 is disposed in the heat insulating material 107 above the exhaust port 111.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the evaporator 125 has a two-layer structure in the vertical direction, and the exhaust gas supplied from the first exhaust gas discharge passage 171 is disposed in the lower layer portion located on the module case 108 side. An exhaust passage portion 125c through which the gas passes is formed. In addition, the evaporator 125 has, in an upper layer portion located above the exhaust passage portion 125c, an evaporation unit 125a that generates water vapor by evaporating water supplied from the fuel supply pipe 163, and more than the evaporation unit 125a. A mixing unit 125b that is provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the exhaust gas and mixes the water vapor generated by the evaporation unit 125a and the raw fuel gas supplied from the fuel supply pipe 163 is formed. For example, the evaporator 125a and the mixer 125b of the evaporator 125 are formed in a space in which the evaporator 125 is partitioned by a partition plate provided with a plurality of communication holes.

  In such an evaporator 125, heat exchange is performed between the water in the evaporation section 125a and the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust passage section 125c, and the water in the evaporation section 125a is evaporated by the heat of the exhaust gas, so that water vapor is generated. Will be generated. In addition, heat exchange is performed between the mixed gas in the mixing portion 125b and the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust passage portion 125c, and the temperature of the mixed gas is increased by the heat of the exhaust gas.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the mixing section 125 b of the evaporator 125 passes through the inside of the first exhaust gas discharge path 171 at the end of the evaporator 125 to which the first exhaust gas discharge path 171 is connected. The mixed gas supply pipe 162 for supplying the mixed gas from the mixing portion 125b to the reformer 120 in the module case 108 is connected. One end of the mixed gas supply pipe 162 is connected to the mixed gas supply port 120a provided in the reformer 120, and the module is bent by 90 ° at a point extending substantially horizontally from the mixed gas supply port 120a. The casing 108, the heat insulating material 107a, and the exhaust passage 125c on the upstream side of the evaporator 125 extend in a substantially vertical direction so as to traverse in order, and the other end is connected to the mixing portion 125b of the evaporator 125. In this case, the mixed gas supply pipe 162 is provided so that the end 162b connected to the mixing unit 125b of the evaporator 125 protrudes above the evaporation unit 125a of the evaporator 125 and the bottom surface of the mixing unit 125b. Yes.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the fuel supply pipe 163 connected perpendicularly to the top surface of the evaporator 125 has a filler passage prohibiting portion 180 in a non-bent portion extending in the horizontal direction through the bent portion. doing. The filler passage prohibiting unit 180 can prevent leakage of the filler filled in the evaporator 125 without increasing the pressure loss of the path to the evaporator 125.

  Next, a power generation air introduction passage (oxidant gas introduction passage) 177 as an oxidant gas supply passage is formed outside the module case 108, specifically, between the outer wall of the module case 108 and the heat insulating material 107. (See FIGS. 1 and 8). The power generation air introduction path 177 is a space between the top plate 108a and the side plate 108b of the module case 108 and the power generation air supply case 177a arranged so as to extend along each of the top plate 108a and the side plate 108b. The power generation air is supplied from a power generation air introduction pipe 174 formed at the center position in front view on the top plate 108a of the module case 108 (see FIGS. 1 and 9). The power generation air introduction path 177 injects power generation air into the power generation chamber 110 toward the fuel cell assembly 112 from a plurality of outlets 177b provided in the lower part of the side plate 108b of the module case 108 ( (See FIGS. 1 and 8).

  In addition, plate-shaped heat transfer plates 177c and 177d as heat exchange promoting members are provided inside the power generation air introduction passage 177 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The heat transfer plate 177c is provided in a portion of the power generation air introduction path 177 along the top plate 108a of the module case 108, and the heat transfer plate 177d is formed of the power generation air introduction path 177 along the side plate 108b of the module case 108. This part is provided at a position that reaches the fuel cell unit 116. The power generation air that flows through the power generation air introduction path 177 passes through the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d, particularly in the module case 108 inside the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d (specifically, in the module case 108). Heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas passing through the provided second and third exhaust gas discharge passages 172, 173), and is heated. For this reason, the portion where the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d are provided in the power generation air introduction path 177 functions as a heat exchange section (air heat exchange section).

  Heat transfer plates 172a, 177c, and 177d provided inside the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 and the power generation air introduction path 177 divide the flow path of the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 or the power generation air introduction path 177 into two. The plurality of air holes (not shown) provided in the heat transfer plates 172a, 177c, and 177d allow the fluid passing through the inside to pass through the two sections and diffuse in a wide area. Therefore, since the fluid passing through the interior of each of the divided spaces can be soaked, the heat exchange performance is improved without locally changing the heat exchange rate.

  The heat transfer plates 172a, 177c, and 177d provided in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 and the power generation air introduction path 177 are connected to the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas exhaust via a plurality of convex portions (not shown). The other side of the path 172 is fixed to the wall surface. Therefore, since the side having the surface in contact with the other flow path among the two spaces divided by the heat transfer plates (172a, 177c, 177d) is a space that directly exchanges heat with the other flow path, the space The fluid can be preferentially guided to the fluid, the amount of heat of the fluid can be used effectively, and heat exchange can be performed positively.

  Further, the heat transfer plates (172 a, 177 c, 177 d) provided in the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 are disposed above the upper end of the fuel cell assembly 112. Therefore, heat exchange can be performed between the heat of the combustion unit 110 and the power generation air flowing through the power generation air introduction path 177, and highly efficient heat exchange is possible. For this reason, it is sufficient to arrange the heat transfer plate in a region extending from the upper surface of the module case 108 to the vicinity of the combustion chamber 118, and it is not necessary to provide the heat transfer plate 177d to the position where the fuel cell assembly 112 is provided. be able to. Thereby, the arrangement area of the heat transfer plate 177d can be reduced, and further, the temperature of the fuel cell assembly 112 can be prevented from being lost even during power generation.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10 in addition to FIGS. 7 and 8, the reformer 120, which is a fluid processing apparatus provided in the module case 108, will be described. FIG. 10 (A) is a perspective view of the reformer 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 10 (B) is a cross section taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 10 (A). FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VC-VC in FIG. 10A to 10C, in addition to the reformer 120, a mixed gas supply pipe 162, a fuel gas supply pipe 164, and the like are also illustrated.

  The reformer 120 is disposed so as to extend horizontally above the combustion chamber 118, and is fixed to the top plate 108a at a predetermined distance from the top plate 108a of the module case 108 (see FIG. 7). . The reformer 120 is supplied with the mixed gas from the mixed gas supply pipe 162 through the mixed gas supply port 120a, and includes a mixed gas (that is, raw fuel gas mixed with water vapor (reforming air may be included). )) And a reforming section 120c filled with a reforming catalyst (not shown) is formed (see FIG. 10B). As the reforming catalyst, a catalyst obtained by imparting nickel to the alumina sphere surface or a catalyst obtained by imparting ruthenium to the alumina sphere surface is appropriately used.

  Here, the mixed gas supply pipe 162 connected to the reformer 120 is provided with a filler passage prohibiting member 162b before being inserted into the reformer 120 as shown in FIG. 10B (FIG. 7). , 13 is omitted). Thereby, the outflow of the reforming catalyst can be prevented while suppressing an increase in pressure loss.

  In the reformer 120, an internal space 120d that is recessed upward is formed in a portion where the reforming portion 120c is formed (see FIG. 10B). The internal space 120d is formed by closing an upper portion of a through hole extending so as to penetrate in the vertical direction with a plate or the like. The internal space 120d has a portion 162a of the above-described mixed gas supply pipe 162, specifically, a portion extending in the horizontal direction in the mixed gas supply pipe 162, the end of which is the mixed gas supply of the reformer 120. A portion 162a connected to the mouth 120a is disposed. The portion 162a of the mixed gas supply pipe 162 also functions as a preheating portion that preheats the mixed gas passing through the inside by the exhaust gas in the internal space 120d of the reformer 120 (hereinafter, the portion 162a of the mixed gas supply pipe 162). Is referred to as “preheating portion 162a”).

  The reformer 120 includes a top plate 120f that forms the upper surface of the above-described reforming unit 120c, and a shielding plate 120g that is provided above the top plate 120f and has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with the top open. It further has a flat plate 120h arranged on the upper part of the shielding plate 120g (see FIGS. 10A to 10C). The space between the top plate 120f and the shielding plate 120g in the reformer 120 forms an exhaust induction chamber 201 for inducing and flowing exhaust gas above the reforming unit 120c. In the reformer 120, the shielding plate 120g A space between the flat plate 120h and the flat plate 120h forms a gas reservoir 203 as a heat insulation layer through which almost no exhaust gas flows (see FIGS. 7 and 8 in addition to FIGS. 10A to 10C). Further, a flange portion 120 i for fixing the reformer 120 to the top plate 108 a of the module case 108 is provided at the upper end portion of the reformer 120.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, on the downstream end side of the reformer 120, a fuel gas as a fuel gas supply passage for supplying fuel gas generated by reforming by the reforming unit 120c of the reformer 120 A supply pipe 164 is connected, and a hydrogen extraction pipe 165 for hydrodesulfurizer is connected to an upper portion of the fuel gas supply pipe 164. The fuel gas supply pipe 164 extends downward, and further extends horizontally in a manifold 166 formed below the fuel cell assembly 112. A plurality of fuel supply holes 164b are formed in the lower surface of the horizontal portion 164a of the fuel gas supply pipe 164, and the reformed fuel gas is supplied into the manifold 166 from the fuel supply holes 164b. A lower support plate 168 having a through hole for supporting the above-described fuel cell stack 114 is attached above the manifold 166, and the fuel gas in the manifold 166 enters the fuel cell unit 116. Supplied. An ignition device 183 for starting combustion of fuel gas and air is provided in the combustion chamber 118.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in the module case 108, there is a horizontal gap between the upper surface of the reformer 120 (specifically, the flat plate 120h of the reformer 120) and the lower surface of the top plate 108a of the module case 108. A second exhaust gas discharge path 172 extending in the direction is formed. The second exhaust gas discharge path 172 is juxtaposed with a part of the above-described power generation air introduction path 177 across the top plate 108a of the module case 108. In addition, a plate-shaped heat transfer plate 172a as a heat exchange promoting member is provided inside the second exhaust gas discharge path 172. The heat transfer plate 172a is provided at substantially the same position in the horizontal direction as the heat transfer plate 177c provided in the power generation air introduction path 177. In the portion of the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 provided with such heat transfer plates 177c and 172a, the power generation air flowing through the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 flow. Efficient heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas, and the power generation air is heated by the heat of the exhaust gas. That is, in the second embodiment, the heat transfer plate 172a provided in the power generation air introduction path 177 or the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 is in direct contact with the power generation air path 177, and the heat transfer plate 172a. The heat of the exhaust gas given to the heat transfer plate 172a is given to the heat transfer plate 172a, and the heat of the heat transfer plate 172a is transferred to the wall surface constituting the power generation air introduction path 177 so that heat exchange with the power generation air can be performed efficiently. it can. Further, since the convex portion of the heat transfer plate 177c is also in contact with the wall surface constituting the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 inside the power generation air passage 177, the heat of the exhaust gas is transferred to the heat transfer plate 172a and the power generation air passage 177. Therefore, the heat exchange rate between the exhaust gas and the power generation air can be improved. The heat transfer plate 172a is the same as the heat transfer plates 177c and 177b.

  Further, a third exhaust gas discharge path 173 extending in the vertical direction is formed between the outer surface of the reformer 120 and the inner surface of the module case 108. The third exhaust gas discharge path 173 communicates with the second exhaust gas discharge path 172, and the exhaust gas flows from the third exhaust gas discharge path 173 to the second exhaust gas discharge path 172. Specifically, the exhaust gas flows into the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 from the exhaust gas inlet 172b located at the upper end of the third exhaust gas discharge path 173 (in other words, the end of the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 in the horizontal direction). To do. The exhaust gas flowing into the second exhaust gas discharge passage 172 from the exhaust gas introduction port 172b passes through the exhaust port 111 formed on the top plate 108a of the module case 108, and the first exhaust gas discharge passage provided outside the module case 108. To 171.

  Further, on the inner side surface of the module case 108 in the middle of the third exhaust gas discharge path 173, specifically, the exhaust gas inlet of the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 above the reforming portion 120c of the reformer 120. On the inner surface of the module case 8 below 172b, it flows into the exhaust induction chamber 201 (the space between the top plate 120f and the shielding plate 120g of the reformer 120) formed in the reformer 120. An exhaust guide plate 205 (corresponding to a first exhaust guide part) for directing exhaust gas is provided on the top.

  Next, the fuel cell unit 116 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the fuel cell unit 116 includes a fuel cell 184 and inner electrode terminals 186 that are caps respectively connected to both ends of the fuel cell 184.

  The fuel cell 184 is a tubular structure extending in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical inner electrode layer 190 that forms a fuel gas flow path 188 therein, a cylindrical outer electrode layer 192, an inner electrode layer 190, and an outer side. An electrolyte layer 194 is provided between the electrode layer 192 and the electrode layer 192. The inner electrode layer 190 is a fuel electrode through which fuel gas passes and becomes a (−) electrode, while the outer electrode layer 92 is an air electrode that comes into contact with air and becomes a (+) electrode.

  Since the inner electrode terminal 186 attached to the upper end side and the lower end side of the fuel cell 184 has the same structure, the inner electrode terminal 186 attached to the upper end side will be specifically described here. The upper portion 190 a of the inner electrode layer 190 includes an outer peripheral surface 190 b and an upper end surface 190 c that are exposed to the electrolyte layer 194 and the outer electrode layer 192. The inner electrode terminal 186 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 190b of the inner electrode layer 190 through a conductive sealing material 196, and is further in direct contact with the upper end surface 190c of the inner electrode layer 190. Electrically connected. At the center of the inner electrode terminal 186, a fuel gas channel narrow tube 198 that communicates with the fuel gas channel 188 of the inner electrode layer 190 is formed.

  The fuel gas passage narrow tube 198 is an elongated thin tube provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the fuel cell 184 from the center of the inner electrode terminal 186. For this reason, a predetermined pressure loss occurs in the flow of fuel gas flowing from the manifold 166 (see FIG. 7) into the fuel gas passage 188 through the fuel gas passage narrow tube 198 of the lower inner electrode terminal 186. To do. Therefore, the fuel gas flow passage narrow tube 198 of the lower inner electrode terminal 186 acts as an inflow side flow passage resistance portion, and the flow passage resistance is set to a predetermined value. Further, a predetermined pressure loss also occurs in the flow of the fuel gas flowing out from the fuel gas channel 188 to the combustion chamber 118 (see FIG. 7) through the fuel gas channel narrow tube 198 of the upper inner electrode terminal 186. Therefore, the fuel gas flow passage narrow tube 198 of the upper inner electrode terminal 186 functions as an outflow side flow passage resistance portion, and the flow passage resistance is set to a predetermined value.

  The inner electrode layer 190 includes, for example, a mixture of Ni and zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Ca, Y, and Sc, and Ni and ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements. The mixture is formed of at least one of Ni and a mixture of lanthanum garade doped with at least one selected from Sr, Mg, Co, Fe, and Cu.

  The electrolyte layer 194 is, for example, zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements, lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr and Mg, Formed from at least one of the following.

  The outer electrode layer 192 includes, for example, lanthanum manganite doped with at least one selected from Sr and Ca, lanthanum ferrite doped with at least one selected from Sr, Co, Ni, and Cu, Sr, Fe, Ni, Cu It is formed from at least one of lanthanum cobaltite doped with at least one selected from the group consisting of silver and silver.

  Next, the fuel cell stack 114 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack of a solid oxide fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the fuel cell stack 114 includes 16 fuel cell units 116, and these fuel cell units 116 are arranged in two rows of 8 each.

  Each fuel cell unit 116 is supported at its lower end by a rectangular rectangular lower support plate 168 (see FIG. 7), and at the upper end, four fuel cell units 116 at both ends are provided, each having a generally square shape. Is supported by the upper support plate 100. The lower support plate 168 and the upper support plate 100 are formed with through holes through which the inner electrode terminals 186 can pass.

  Further, the current collector 103 and the external terminal 105 are attached to the fuel cell unit 116. The current collector 103 includes a fuel electrode connection portion 103a that is electrically connected to an inner electrode terminal 186 attached to the inner electrode layer 190 that is a fuel electrode, and an outer peripheral surface of the outer electrode layer 192 that is an air electrode. It is integrally formed so as to connect the air electrode connecting portion 103b that is electrically connected. In addition, a silver thin film is formed on the entire outer surface of the outer electrode layer 192 (air electrode) of each fuel cell unit 116 as an electrode on the air electrode side. When the air electrode connecting portion 103b contacts the surface of the thin film, the current collector 103 is electrically connected to the entire air electrode.

  Further, two external terminals 104 are connected to the air electrode 186 of the fuel cell unit 116 located at the end of the fuel cell stack 114 (the far left side in FIG. 12). These external terminals 103 are connected to the inner electrode terminal 186 of the fuel cell unit 116 at the end of the adjacent fuel cell stack 114, and as described above, all 160 fuel cell units 116 are connected in series. It has come to be.

  Next, a gas flow in the fuel cell module of the solid oxide fuel cell device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a fuel cell module of a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module taken along line III-III of FIG. 13 showing a solid oxide fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention similar to FIG. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams in which an arrow indicating a gas flow is newly added to FIGS. In FIG. 14, only the flow of fuel gas (including water, water vapor, and raw fuel gas) is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 13, water and raw fuel gas (fuel gas) are supplied into the evaporator 125 from a fuel supply pipe 163 (see FIG. 9) connected to one end in the horizontal direction of the evaporator 125. Specifically, it is supplied into an evaporation unit 125 a provided in the upper layer of the evaporator 125. The water supplied to the evaporator 125a of the evaporator 125 exchanges heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage 125c provided in the lower layer of the evaporator 125, is heated by the heat of the exhaust gas, and is vaporized. It becomes water vapor. The water vapor and the raw fuel gas supplied from the fuel supply pipe 163 flow in the horizontal direction in the evaporator 125a (specifically, toward the side opposite to the side where the fuel supply pipe 163 is connected). In the horizontal direction) and mixed in the mixing unit 125b at the end of the evaporation unit 125a.

  The mixed gas (fuel gas) obtained by mixing the water vapor and the raw fuel gas in the mixing unit 125b is connected to the side opposite to the side where the fuel supply pipe 163 is connected in the evaporator 125, and the exhaust passage of the evaporator 125 is connected. The gas flows through the part 125 c, the heat insulating material 107 a, and the mixed gas supply pipe 162 extending across the module case 108, and flows into the reformer 120 in the module case 108. In this case, the mixed gas includes exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage portion 125c below the mixing portion 125b, and exhaust gas flowing around the portion of the mixed gas supply pipe 162 located in the exhaust passage portion 125c and the first exhaust gas discharge passage 171. Then, heat is exchanged with the exhaust gas flowing around the portion of the mixed gas supply pipe 162 located in the module case 108 and heated. Particularly, in the module case 108, in the preheating part 162a of the mixed gas supply pipe 162 located in the internal space 120d of the reformer 120, the mixed gas flowing in the preheating part 162a and the internal space 120d of the reformer 120 are contained. Efficient heat exchange with the exhaust gas.

  Thereafter, the mixed gas supplied from the mixed gas supply pipe 162 to the reformer 120 is provided on one side end side in the horizontal direction of the reformer 120 via the mixed gas supply port 120a of the reformer 120. It flows into the reforming section 120c filled with the reforming catalyst, and is reformed in the reforming section 120c to become fuel gas. The fuel gas generated in this way is supplied to the downstream side of the reforming section 120c of the reformer 120, and to the hydrogen desulfurizer hydrogen extractor connected above the fuel gas supply pipe 164. Flow through tube 165. The fuel gas is supplied into the manifold 166 from the fuel supply hole 164 b provided in the horizontal portion 164 a of the fuel gas supply pipe 164, and the fuel gas in the manifold 166 is supplied into each fuel cell unit 116. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the power generation air supplied from the power generation air introduction pipe 174 (see FIGS. 1, 7, 9, and 13) is supplied to the top plate 108a and the side plate 108b of the module case 108. The air flows through a power generation air introduction path 177 formed by a space between the power generation air supply case 177a disposed so as to extend along each of the top plate 108a and the side plates 108b. At this time, when the power generation air flowing through the power generation air introduction path 177 passes through the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d, the second and second air passages 177c and 177d are formed in the module case 108 inside the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d. Efficient heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas passing through the third exhaust gas discharge passages 172 and 173, and the exhaust gas is heated. In particular, since the heat transfer plate 172a is provided in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 corresponding to the heat transfer plate 177c of the power generation air introduction path 177, the power generation air is transferred to the power generation air introduction path 177. More efficient heat exchange with the exhaust gas is performed via the heat plate 177c and the heat transfer plate 172a in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 14, a partition plate 179 having a plurality of holes is installed in the power generation air introduction path 177 below the region where the heat transfer plate 177d is disposed. The power generation air after heat exchange with the exhaust gas passes through a plurality of holes provided in the partition plate 179. At that time, the partition plate 179 functions as a flow path resistance, and can supply the power generation air that has been diffused and soaked to the fuel cell assembly 112.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14, the power generation air is injected into the power generation chamber 110 from the plurality of outlets 177 b provided at the lower portion of the side plate 108 b of the module case 108 toward the fuel cell assembly 112.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas remaining without being used for power generation in the fuel cell unit 116 is burned in the combustion chamber 118 in the module case 108 and rises in the module case 108 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the exhaust gas first passes through a third exhaust gas discharge path 173 formed between the outer surface of the reformer 120 and the inner surface of the module case 108. At this time, the exhaust gas is discharged into the exhaust induction chamber 201 (the top plate 120f and the shielding plate 120g of the reformer 120) formed in the reformer 120 by the exhaust guide plate 205 provided on the inner surface of the module case 108. The space between them. The exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust induction chamber 201 (including exhaust gas that has flowed into the exhaust induction chamber 201 and exhaust gas that has not flowed into the exhaust induction chamber 201) is stored in the gas reservoir 203 (of the reformer 120) above the exhaust induction chamber 201. It rises without flowing into the space between the shielding plate 120g and the flat plate 120h) and flows into the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 from the exhaust gas inlet 172b.

  Thereafter, the exhaust gas flows in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 in the horizontal direction, and flows out from the exhaust port 111 formed on the top plate 108 a of the module case 108. When the exhaust gas flows in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 in the horizontal direction, a heat transfer plate 172a provided in the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 and a power generation air introduction path 177 corresponding to the heat transfer plate 172a. An efficient heat exchange is performed between the power generation air flowing through the power generation air introduction path 177 and the exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 via the heat transfer plate 177c provided in the exhaust gas. The power generation air is heated by the heat. Here, the heat transfer plate 172a is provided only in the second exhaust gas discharge passage 172 in the exhaust passage, but the place where the heat transfer plate is provided is not limited to the second exhaust gas discharge passage 172, and the exhaust for performing heat exchange is provided. What is necessary is just a passage.

  The exhaust gas flowing out from the exhaust port 111 passes through the first exhaust gas exhaust passage 171 provided outside the module case 108, and then passes through the exhaust passage portion 125c of the evaporator 125 connected to the first exhaust gas exhaust passage 171. It flows and is discharged from the exhaust gas discharge pipe 182 (see FIG. 9) connected to the downstream end side of the evaporator 125. As described above, the exhaust gas exchanges heat with the mixed gas in the mixing unit 125b of the evaporator 125 and the water in the evaporation unit 125a of the evaporator 125 when flowing through the exhaust passage portion 125c of the evaporator 125.

  Next, operations and effects of the solid oxide fuel cell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  According to the second embodiment, in the fuel cell device in which the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 are arranged side by side with the module case 108 interposed therebetween and the heat exchange section is formed, the power generation air is introduced. By disposing a heat transfer plate (172a, 177c, 177d) having high thermal diffusibility in at least one of the passage 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge passage 172 so that the inside of the passage is divided into two, two spaces are provided. In each case, the fluid passing through the inside of the flow path can be soaked, and the heat exchange performance is improved. For this reason, since a separate dedicated heat exchanger is not required, the fuel cell device can be reduced in size and cost. Here, it is sufficient if a heat transfer plate is provided in at least one of the power generation air introduction path 177 and the second exhaust gas discharge path. Is not limited to this embodiment.

  Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer plate (172a, 177c, 177d) is provided with a plurality of vent holes (not shown) that can flow between both surfaces. Since the fluid moves back and forth between the two sections and spreads over a wide area, the heat exchange performance can be improved.

  Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer plate 172a or the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d provided in one flow path of the power generation air introduction path 177 or the second exhaust gas discharge path 172 are: By directly contacting the other flow path, the heat exchange performance can be improved.

  Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, of the two divided spaces, the side having the surface in contact with the other flow channel is a space that directly exchanges heat with the other flow channel, so that the space By guiding the flow path preferentially, the heat quantity of the fluid can be used effectively.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer plates 172a, 177c, and 177d according to the present invention have very high heat exchange performance. In addition to maximizing the use of heat by exchanging, it is not necessary to dispose the heat transfer plate in the flow path close to the region of the fuel cell assembly 112 that is relatively low in temperature. The layout area can be minimized and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the partition plate 179 has a plurality of holes inside the power generation air introduction path 177 and below the region where the heat transfer plates 177c and 177d are arranged. Since the partition plate 179 functions as a flow path resistance, the soaked oxygen-containing gas is further diffused and soaked, and is ejected from the plurality of holes to the lower end of the power generation air supply passage.

  As described above in the second embodiment, in the fuel cell device in which the heat exchange portion is formed on the vessel wall surface, the heat exchange performance can be improved with a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to realize a reduction in size and cost of the fuel cell device.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another form of the fuel cell module showing an application example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, a structure for supplying power generation air to the inside of the fuel cell module 302 will be described with reference to FIG. Practical arrows in FIG. 15 indicate the flow of power generation air, and dotted arrows indicate the flow of exhaust gas. As shown in this figure, a heat exchanger 323 is provided above the reformer 320, and the casing 356 is covered with a heat insulating material 307.

  The heat exchanger 323 is a two-layer heat exchanger, and a power generation air introduction pipe 374 is attached to one end side of the upper layer. The power generation air introduction pipe 374 introduces power generation air into the heat exchanger 323, and the other end of the upper layer of the heat exchanger 323 has a power generation air as shown in FIG. A pair of outlet ports 377a of the air flow path 323a is formed. The outlet port 377a communicates with a pair of communication channels (not shown). Furthermore, power generation air supply passages (not shown) are formed on the outer sides of both sides in the width direction of the casing 356 of the fuel cell module 2.

  Therefore, power generation air is supplied to the power generation air supply path (not shown) from the outlet port 377a of the power generation air flow path 323a and the communication flow path (not shown). The power generation air supply path (not shown) is formed along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell assembly 312 and further corresponds to the lower side of the fuel cell assembly 312. A plurality of air outlets 377 b are formed at positions to blow out the power generation air toward each fuel cell unit 316 of the fuel cell assembly 312. The power generation air that has flowed into the power generation air supply path (not shown) from the outlet port 377a is directed to the air outlet 377b, and the air generated from the air outlet 377b is outside the fuel cell unit 316. And flows from below to above.

  Further, the reformer introduction pipe 362 is a pipe line for introducing pure water and fuel gas to be reformed into the casing 356. The reformer introduction pipe 362 is a circular pipe extending from the side wall surface at one end of the reformer 320, is bent by 90 ° and extends in a substantially vertical direction, and penetrates the upper end surface of the casing 56. The reformer introduction pipe 362 also functions as a water introduction pipe that introduces water into the reformer 320. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the reformer 320 is connected to the upstream end of the reformer 320 on the right side in the figure.

  Here, the reformer introduction pipe 362 connected to the reformer 320 is provided with the filler passage prohibiting member 383 at the portion bent by 90 ° and extending in the horizontal direction. Thereby, while suppressing the increase in pressure loss, it can prevent that fillers, such as a reforming catalyst in the reformer 320, flow out.

  The water flowing from the reformer introduction pipe 362 is converted into water vapor by the reformer 320, and the water vapor, fuel gas (city gas) as the gas to be reformed, and air are mixed. Further, the reformer 320 is disposed further above the combustion chamber 318 formed above the fuel cell assembly 312. Therefore, the reformer 320 is heated by the combustion heat of the remaining fuel gas and air after the power generation reaction, and serves as an evaporative mixer and by both the steam reforming reaction by chemically reacting the fuel and steam. It is comprised so that the role as a reformer which can produce | generate will be played.

  The upper end of a fuel supply pipe 366 is connected to the downstream end of the reformer 320. The lower end side of the fuel supply pipe 366 is disposed so as to enter the fuel gas tank 368.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the fuel gas tank 368 is provided directly below the fuel cell assembly 312. The fuel gas supplied from the fuel supply pipe 366 to the fuel gas tank 368 ascends in each fuel cell unit 316 constituting the fuel cell assembly 312 and reaches the combustion chamber 18.

  Subsequently, a structure for discharging exhaust gas generated by power generation to the outside of the module case 356 will be described. In the combustion chamber 318 above the fuel cell unit 316, the fuel gas not used in the power generation reaction and the exhaust gas of power generation air are combusted. Thereafter, the exhaust gas rises in the combustion chamber 318 and reaches the exhaust guide plate 380. As shown in FIG. 15, the exhaust guide plate 380 is provided with an opening 380a, and the exhaust gas is guided into the opening 380a. The exhaust gas that has passed through the opening 380a reaches the exhaust gas discharge passage inlet 324 of the heat exchanger 323 provided as a separate body.

  Under the two-layer heat exchanger 323, an exhaust gas exhaust passage 323b for exhaust gas exhaust is provided. An exhaust gas discharge pipe 382 is connected to the downstream end side of these exhaust gas discharge channels 323b so that the exhaust gas is discharged to the outside.

  Next, the heat exchanger 323 will be described with reference to FIG. The heat exchanger 323 includes a power generation air supply channel 323a in the upper layer and an exhaust gas discharge channel 323b in the lower layer. The power generation air flows through the power generation air supply channel 323a and the exhaust gas flows through the exhaust gas outflow channel 323b. The power generation air receives heat from the exhaust gas and is heated.

Heat transfer plates 378 are arranged inside the power generation air supply flow path 323a and the exhaust gas discharge flow path 323b so as to divide the flow paths, respectively, and promote heat exchange between the power generation air and the exhaust gas. That is, since the heat transfer plate 378 acts as a flow path resistance, the power generation air and the exhaust gas flowing in the counter flow are soaked in the respective flow paths, and the heat transfer plate 378 exchanges heat between the power generation air and the exhaust gas. Since it is in contact with the wall surface in the heat exchanger 323 that performs the heat exchange, the heat exchange can be positively performed.
In FIG. 15, the heat transfer plate 378 is provided in both the exhaust gas flow path 323a and the power generation air flow path 323b, but is provided in either the exhaust gas flow path 323a or the power generation air flow path 323b. You may do it. Further, in FIG. 15, the flow direction of the power generation air and the exhaust gas is shown as a counter flow, but a cross flow or a parallel flow may be used.

  Therefore, even in the fuel cell apparatus in which the heat exchange unit is provided separately as the dedicated heat exchanger 323, the power generation air supply flow path 323a or the exhaust gas discharge flow path 323b provided in the heat exchanger 323 is provided. By providing the heat transfer plate 378 according to the present invention inside the heat exchanger, the heat exchange performance can be easily improved. Therefore, even if it is not a heat exchanger integrated with a module case, the effects of the invention can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fluid processing apparatus 11 Case 12 Filler 13 Fluid piping 13a Horizontal extension part 13b Vertical extension part 13c Bending part 14 Filler passage prohibition part 15 Heat source 101 Solid oxide fuel cell apparatus (SOFC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Fuel cell module 107 Heat insulating material 108 Module case 108a Top plate 108b Side plate 112 Fuel cell assembly 116 Fuel cell unit 118 Combustion chamber (combustion part)
111 exhaust port 120 reformer 120a mixed gas supply port 120c reforming unit 120d internal space 125 evaporator 125a evaporation unit 125b mixing unit 125c exhaust passage unit 162 mixed gas supply pipe 162a preheating unit 162b filler passage prohibition unit 163 fuel supply piping 164 Fuel gas supply pipe 165 Hydrogen extraction pipe for hydrodesulfurizer 171 First exhaust gas discharge path 172 Second exhaust gas discharge path 172a Heat transfer plate 173 Third exhaust gas discharge path 177 Power generation air introduction path (oxygen-containing gas introduction path)
177c, 177d Heat transfer plate 179 Partition plate 180 Filling material passage prohibition portion 201 Exhaust induction chamber 203 Gas reservoir 302 Fuel cell module 307 Thermal insulation material 310 Power generation chamber 312 Fuel cell assembly 316 Fuel cell unit 318 Combustion chamber (combustion portion)
320 Reformer 323 Heat exchanger 323a Power generation air supply flow path 323b Exhaust gas discharge flow path 324 Exhaust gas discharge flow path inlet 356 Module case 362 Reformer introduction pipe 366 Fuel supply pipe 368 Fuel gas tank 374 Power generation air introduction pipe 377a Outlet port 377b Ejection hole 380 Exhaust guide plate 380a Opening 382 Exhaust gas exhaust pipe 383 Filling material passage prohibition part

Claims (7)

In a solid oxide fuel cell device that generates power by the reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas,
A fluid processing device for processing a fluid involved in power generation in the fuel cell module;
The fluid processing apparatus includes a case, and a plurality of granular fillers that change the state of the fluid that is filled in the case and passes through the case,
The inside of the case is connected to a fluid pipe through which the fluid passes,
The inner diameter of the fluid pipe is larger than the particle size of the filler,
Further, the fluid piping has a filler passage prohibiting portion that prohibits passage of the filler according to the shape of the fluid piping and suppresses an increase in pressure loss of the fluid piping. apparatus.   The filler passage prohibiting portion has an internal shape in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the direction of the fluid flowing through the fluid pipe, and has a short side or a short axis smaller than the particle diameter of the filler, and other fluid pipe 2. The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the solid oxide fuel cell device has an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape in which a long side or a long axis is larger than an inner diameter of the portion.   The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided in a non-bent portion of the fluid piping.   The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein the filler passage prohibiting portion is provided in a portion extending in a vertical direction of the fluid pipe. The fluid processing apparatus is an evaporator that generates water vapor for reforming a raw material gas into the fuel gas from water supplied inside as the fluid,
The filler passage prohibition portion is provided in a region where the fluid pipe extends in a horizontal direction,
The filler passage prohibiting portion has a longer side or a long axis that is longer in the vertical direction than an inner diameter of the fluid piping, and a bottom position of the fluid piping prohibiting portion is continuous from a position of the bottom portion of the fluid piping. The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 3, which is also low.   The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 5, wherein the filler passage prohibiting portion is incorporated in a heat insulating material.   7. The solid oxide fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the filler passage prohibiting portion is smoothly continuous with a surface of the fluid pipe. 8.

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