JP2019079678A - Fuel cell system and control method of fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell system capable of restraining temperature rise of a low temperature region due to heat transmission from a high temperature region with simpler configuration, while restraining increase in cost of manufacture.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell for generating electricity with fuel gas and oxidant gas, an adiabator provided to surround a high temperature region including the fuel cell, and an enclosure for receiving the adiabator and having a low temperature region on the outside of the adiabator. Furthermore, the fuel cell system includes an apparatus placed in the low temperature region, and used for electricity generation of the fuel cell, an oxidant gas introduction path for introducing the oxidant gas from the outside of the enclosure to the low temperature region, an oxidant gas supply passage for introducing the oxidant gas, introduced to the low temperature region, into the adiabator and supplying to the fuel cell, and an oxidant gas introduction device placed in the oxidant gas introduction path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and a control method of the fuel cell system.

  In order to suppress heat dissipation to the outside inside a fuel cell system housing including a fuel cell operating at a relatively high temperature such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a molten carbonate fuel cell , A high temperature region surrounding a fuel cell module and the like including the fuel cell and a peripheral device such as a reformer used for the operation of the fuel cell with a heat insulating material, and a low temperature region where the electric parts and the like required for the And exist.

  Here, since the above-mentioned housing has a certain airtightness performance, the temperature of the low temperature region rises due to the heat transfer from the high temperature region. For this reason, predetermined heat resistance performance is calculated | required by the electrical component etc. which are arrange | positioned in the low temperature area | region. If the required heat resistance can not be satisfied, a cooling device or the like is required to suppress the temperature rise in the low temperature region.

  For example, WO 2012-128368 proposes an example of a fuel cell system in which a fuel cell module including a fuel cell and a reformer is accommodated in a heat insulating material. In this fuel cell system, in the housing, a space partitioned from the low temperature region is provided around the heat insulating material, and the heat transfer from the high temperature region to the low temperature region is suppressed by flowing air in the space.

International Publication 2012-128368 Publication

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 provides a space for flowing air between the heat insulating material and the low temperature region in the housing, which complicates the structure in the housing and increases the manufacturing cost. There's a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system capable of suppressing a temperature rise in a low temperature region due to heat transfer from a high temperature region with a simpler configuration while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  According to the fuel cell system according to the present invention, a fuel cell that generates electricity with fuel gas and oxidant gas, a heat insulating material provided so as to surround a high temperature region including the fuel cell, and a heat insulating material are accommodated. And a housing having a low temperature region outside. Then, the fuel cell system is further disposed in a low temperature region, and is introduced into a device used for power generation of the fuel cell, an oxidant gas introduction path for introducing oxidant gas from the outside of the casing into the low temperature region, and The oxidant gas supply path which introduces the oxidant gas into the inside of the heat insulating material and supplies the fuel cell to the fuel cell, and the oxidant gas introduction device disposed in the oxidant gas introduction path.

  According to the present invention, since the air flow is formed with a simple configuration in which the opening of the oxidant gas introduction passage and the opening of the oxidant gas supply passage are disposed in a low temperature region, the manufacturing cost is increased. While suppressing, it can suppress that a low temperature area | region heats up by the heat transfer from a high temperature area | region.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view of a fuel cell system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 4A is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 4B is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4D is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. FIG. 4E is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. FIG. 5A is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 5B is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic configuration view showing a modification of the fuel cell system according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6A.

-1st Embodiment-
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, a vehicle. As shown, the fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell stack 1, auxiliary devices 2 required for the fuel cell 1 to generate power, an air introduction passage 3, a blower 4, an air supply passage 5, fuel It comprises the supply path 6, the electric passage 7, the exhaust pipe 8, and the housing 9. In addition, each structure to show in figure is a schematic figure to the last, Comprising: It is not the meaning which specifies the shape of each structure, and the direction of up-down and left-right.

  A fuel cell stack 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "fuel cell 1") is configured by stacking a plurality of fuel cells or unit cells of fuel cells. In the present embodiment, a unit cell that constitutes a fuel cell that is a power source is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFF). That is, the fuel cell 1 receives the supply of fuel and oxidant (air) at a suitable operating temperature of, for example, 800 ° C. to 1000 ° C. to generate power.

  Among the devices required for the fuel cell 1 to generate power, the auxiliary devices 2 are devices that are heated or heated at the time of power generation. Specifically, the accessory 2 of the present embodiment includes, for example, an evaporator, a heat exchanger, a reformer, a combustor (exhaust combustor), and the like.

  The evaporator is provided in the fuel supply passage 6 to vaporize the fuel supplied via the fuel supply passage 6 and supply it to the heat exchanger. The evaporator vaporizes the fuel by using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust gas combustor described later.

  The heat exchangers are provided in the air supply passage 5 and the fuel supply passage 6, respectively. The heat exchanger provided in the air supply passage 5 heats the air using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust gas combustor. The heat exchanger provided in the fuel supply passage 6 is disposed downstream of the evaporator and adjacent to the exhaust combustor, and utilizes heat transferred from the exhaust combustor to evaporate the vaporized fuel in the evaporator. Heat it up further.

  The reformer is in a state suitable for using the fuel before reforming supplied from the fuel storage unit such as a fuel tank (not shown) via the fuel supply passage 6 by the reforming catalyst for power generation of the fuel cell 1. Reform to fuel gas. The fuel reformed by the reformer is supplied to the fuel cell 1 and used for power generation.

  The exhaust combustor catalytically burns the anode off gas and the cathode off gas discharged from the fuel cell 1 via a discharge passage (not shown) to generate combustion gas (exhaust gas) mainly composed of carbon dioxide and water. As described above, since the exhaust combustor is disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger, the heat from the catalytic combustion of the exhaust combustor is transferred to the heat exchanger, and the transferred heat heats the fuel. Used for Exhaust gas generated by the exhaust combustor is discharged to the outside of the housing 9 through the exhaust pipe 8.

  The above is the specific example of the accessory 2. Since the fuel cell 1 and the auxiliary devices 2 generate high heat as described above, they are housed inside the heat insulating material 10 in order to suppress heat dissipation to the outside. In other words, the heat insulating material 10 is provided so as to surround the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2 in order to suppress the heat radiation of the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2. In addition, although the heat insulating material 10 in FIG. 1 is a rectangular shape, the actual shape is not restricted to this. The shape of the heat insulating material 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is provided to surround the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2.

  The heat insulating material 10 is made of, for example, a heat insulating material such as silica based ceramic. By providing the heat insulating material 10 inside the housing 9 so as to surround the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2, it is possible to suppress the heat of the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2 from being dissipated to the outside. The area surrounded by the heat insulating material 10 is hereinafter referred to as "high temperature area H".

  On the other hand, the area | region of the outer side of the heat insulating material 10 in the inside of the housing | casing 9 is called "low temperature area | region L" below. That is, the housing 9 provided in the fuel cell system 100 of the present embodiment has a high temperature area H and a low temperature area L partitioned by the heat insulating material 10. The housing 9 is a housing of the fuel cell system 100, and is formed of, for example, stainless steel or a desired metallic material having heat conductivity and water tightness similar to stainless steel. In addition, it is preferable that the housing | casing 9 of this embodiment is comprised with the material which has thermal conductivity higher than the material which comprises the heat insulating material 10. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the low temperature region can be maintained at a low temperature.

  The air introduction path 3 is a passage (for example, a pipe) for introducing air (oxidant gas, cathode gas) from the outside of the housing 9 to the inside of the housing 9. The opening 3 a (introduction opening 3 a) on the inner side of the casing 9 of the air introduction path 3 is disposed in the low temperature region L.

  Further, the air introduction path 3 includes the blower 4 as an air introduction device. The blower 4 of the present embodiment is disposed outside the housing 9. Thereby, the outside air of the housing 9 can be actively introduced into the housing 9 through the air introduction path 3. Here, since the casing 9 is usually installed in the normal temperature region, the outside air in the vicinity of the casing 9 is lower than the temperature inside the heat insulating material 10 (high temperature region H). Therefore, the temperature inside the housing 9 can be made lower than the high temperature region H by introducing the outside air of the housing 9 into the inside of the housing 9.

  That is, by using the blower 4 to introduce the outside air of the housing 9 into the inside of the housing 9 having a certain airtightness via the air introduction path 3, the region outside the heat insulating material 10 inside the housing 9 The (low temperature region L) can be maintained at a lower temperature than the high temperature region H. Further, by using the blower 4, the amount of air introduced into the housing 9 can be increased, so that the cooling effect of the low temperature region L can be enhanced, and the fuel cell via the air supply passage 5 described later The amount of air supplied to 1 can be increased.

  Furthermore, by increasing the amount of air introduced into the housing 9 using the blower 4, the inside of the housing 9 can be pressurized to a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Water and dust are less likely to intrude from the inside to the inside, and the water tightness of the housing 9 can be further improved. The air introducing means is not limited to the blower but may be a fan or a compressor.

  The air supply passage 5 introduces the air in the low temperature region L introduced from the outside of the housing 9 via the air introduction passage 3 into the heat insulating material 10 and also via the accessories 2 (heat exchanger etc.) Is a passage for supplying the fuel cell 1. Therefore, the opening 5a (supply opening 5a) outside the heat insulating material 10 of the air supply path 5 is disposed in the low temperature region L. In addition, the air supply passage 5 includes an air supply component 5 c necessary to supply air to the fuel cell 1. The air supply component 5c is, for example, a valve or the like that adjusts the flow rate of air. The air supply component 5c is disposed in the low temperature region L.

  The fuel supply passage 6 introduces the fuel stored in a fuel tank (not shown) provided outside the housing 9 into the heat insulating material 10 through the low temperature region L in the housing 9, and , A reformer, etc.) to supply the fuel cell 1. Further, the fuel supply passage 6 is provided with a fuel supply component 6 c necessary to supply the fuel to the fuel cell 1. The fuel supply component 6 c is, for example, an injector or the like for supplying fuel to the combustor. The fuel supply component 6c is disposed in the low temperature region L.

  The electric passage 7 controls a power supply line for supplying electricity from a power supply (not shown) provided outside the housing 9 to the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2, and controls the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2. Are paths for passing signal lines and the like for transmitting control signals. In addition, the electric passage 7 is provided with an electrical component (electrical component) 7 c necessary for operating and controlling the fuel cell 1 and the accessories 2. The electric component 7c is, for example, a controller that controls the fuel cell system, an inverter for converting electric power, or the like. Electrical component 7c is disposed in low temperature region L.

  Since the air supply component 5c, the fuel supply component 6c, and the electric component 7c are also devices used for power generation of the fuel cell 1, they are generally included in so-called "auxiliary devices". However, it is desirable that equipment placed in the low temperature region L, such as the air supply component 5c, the fuel supply component 6c, and the electric component 7c, be at a low temperature to a normal temperature and heating is not required. Accessory 2 is not included. Further, the device disposed in the low temperature region L in the present embodiment may be at least one or more of the air supply component 5c, the fuel supply component 6c, and the electric component 7c.

  Although not shown, in the case 9 through which the air supply passage 5, the fuel supply passage 6, and the electric passage 7 pass, a seal material is provided to improve the air tightness or water tightness of the case 9. It is also good. The sealing material is, for example, a lip packing for vehicles, a squeezed packing (O-ring), or a gasket.

  As described above, low temperature air lower than the high temperature area H is introduced into the low temperature area L from the outside of the housing 9, and the introduced air flows to the supply opening 5 a and is disposed inside the heat insulating material 10 The fuel cell 1 is supplied. That is, in the low temperature region L, a low temperature air flow from the introduction opening 3a to the supply opening 5a is formed by a configuration simpler than the structure disclosed in the above-mentioned document.

  Moreover, in the structure disclosed in the above document, a space for flowing air is provided around the heat insulating material, but the pressure loss due to the structural complexity of the space may prevent the air flow. there were. However, in the present embodiment, since the air flow is formed by the simple configuration in which the introduction opening 3a and the supply opening 5a are disposed in the low temperature region L, the pressure loss as in the prior art is generated. Air flow is not impeded.

  The low temperature air introduced into the inside of the housing 9 is an air supply component 5c disposed in the low temperature region L, a fuel supply component 6c, and an electric component 7c (hereinafter collectively referred to as "internal components". Heat exchange with at least a part of the outer surface of the heat insulating material 10 to reduce their temperature. As described above, the fuel cell system 100 according to this embodiment forms the flow of low-temperature air in the low-temperature region L with a simple configuration as compared with the related art, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost from the high-temperature region H. While suppressing the heat transfer to internal parts etc., internal parts can be cooled.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment, the fuel cell 1 that generates electric power with the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the heat insulator 10 provided so as to surround the high temperature region H including the fuel cell 1; The casing 9 having the low temperature region L outside the heat insulating material 10 and the device used for the power generation of the fuel cell 1 and the oxidant gas outside the casing 9 that accommodates the heat insulating material 10 The oxidant gas introduction path (air introduction path 3) introduced to the low temperature region L and the oxidant gas introduced to the low temperature region L into the heat insulating material 10 to be supplied to the fuel cell 1 A passage (air supply passage 5) and an oxidant gas introduction device (blower 4) disposed in the oxidant gas introduction passage (air introduction passage 3) are provided. As a result, since the air flow is formed by a simple configuration in which the introduction opening 3a of the air introduction passage 3 and the supply opening 5a of the air supply passage 5 are disposed in the low temperature region L, the manufacturing cost is increased. It is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the low temperature region L due to the heat transfer from the high temperature region H while suppressing it.

  Further, according to the fuel cell system of the first embodiment, the blower 4 as the oxidant gas introduction device is disposed outside the housing 9. As a result, the internal space of the housing 9 is not narrowed by the blower 4, so the layout in the housing 9 can be improved. Alternatively, the housing 9 can be further miniaturized.

-Second embodiment-
The second embodiment will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration view for explaining a fuel cell system 200 of the second embodiment. The difference between the fuel cell system 200 and the fuel cell system 100 is the arrangement of the blower 4.

  As illustrated, the blower 4 of the present embodiment is disposed in the low temperature region L inside the housing 9. Thereby, the waterproofness of the blower 4 can be improved as compared with the case where the blower 4 is exposed to the external environment by being disposed outside the housing 9. As a result, since it is not necessary to separately provide a waterproof structure or the like for preventing the blower 4 from getting wet due to rain or the like, the waterproofness of the entire fuel cell system 200 can be improved without complicating the structure of the fuel cell system 200. It can be improved.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell system 200 of the second embodiment, the blower 4 is disposed inside the housing 9. Thus, the waterproofness of the entire fuel cell system 200 can be improved without complicating the structure of the fuel cell system 200.

-Third embodiment-
The third embodiment will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view for explaining a fuel cell system 300 of the third embodiment. The difference between the fuel cell system 300 and the fuel cell systems 100 and 200 is that the arrangement of the heat insulating material 10 inside the housing 9 is limited as follows.

  That is, the heat insulating material 10 according to the fuel cell system 300 is provided so as to form a space continuous (communicating) with the low temperature region L between the periphery of the heat insulating material 10 and the inner surface of the housing 9. Here, "the periphery of the heat insulating material 10" is a surface other than the ground contact surface (lower surface in the direction of gravity) of the heat insulating material 10, or the entire surface including the ground contact surface. When “periphery of the heat insulating material 10” is the entire surface including the ground plane, for example, a space securing member such as a spacer is provided on the ground plane, or the heat insulator 10 is in contact with the inside of the housing 9 from above. By floating the ground or the like, a space continuous with the low temperature region L can be secured between the ground surface and the housing 9.

  Thereby, since the contact surface of the outer surface of the heat insulating material 10 and the low temperature area | region L can be made wider, the temperature of the outer surface of the heat insulating material 10 can be reduced more. As a result, heat transfer from the high temperature region H to the internal parts and the like can be further suppressed, and the internal parts can be cooled more efficiently.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell system 300 of the third embodiment, a space that is continuous with the low temperature region L is formed between the periphery of the heat insulating material 10 and the inner surface of the housing 9. Thereby, the contact surface between the air in the low temperature region L and the outer surface of the heat insulating material 10 can be made wider, so the temperature of the outer surface of the heat insulating material 10 can be further lowered.

-Fourth Embodiment-
The fourth embodiment will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIGS. 4A to 4E are schematic diagrams illustrating a fuel cell system 400 according to a fourth embodiment. The fuel cell system 400 differs from the fuel cell systems 100 to 300 in that the arrangement of the introduction opening 3a, the supply opening 5a, the fuel supply component 6c, and the electric component 7c is limited as follows. Hereinafter, the fuel supply component 6c and the electric component 7c will be collectively referred to as a "component to be cooled".

  The parts to be cooled according to the present embodiment are arranged in the vicinity of the introduction opening 3a, or in the vicinity of the supply opening 5a, or on the extension of the air flow direction in the introduction opening 3a and the supply opening 5a. Ru.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic configuration diagrams showing a fuel cell system 400 in which parts to be cooled are disposed in the vicinity of the introduction opening 3a. The blower 4 is disposed outside the housing 9 in FIG. 4A, and the blower 4 is disposed inside the housing 9 in FIG. 4B.

  As illustrated, the parts to be cooled are disposed near the outlet of the introduction opening 3a, or on an extension extending along the flow direction (outflow direction) of air blown out from the introduction opening 3a of the air introduction passage 3. And, the amount of air flowing on the surface of the part to be cooled increases (see the dotted arrow in the figure). As a result, heat exchange between the surface of the part to be cooled and the air is performed more efficiently, so that the part to be cooled can be cooled more effectively. The parts to be cooled in the same figure are arranged with the electric part 7c and the fuel supply part 6c in the order closer to the introduction opening 3a, but they may be arranged reversely. In addition, parts whose temperature is higher during driving or parts whose heat resistance is lower may be disposed closer to the introduction opening 3a.

  FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D are schematic block diagrams showing a fuel cell system 400 in which parts to be cooled are disposed in the vicinity of the supply opening 5a. The blower 4 is disposed outside the housing 9 in FIG. 4C, and the blower 4 is disposed inside the housing 9 in FIG. 4B.

  As shown, the parts to be cooled are arranged near the suction port of the supply opening 5a or on an extension extending along the flow direction (suction direction) of the air drawn from the supply opening 5a of the air supply passage 5. And, the amount of air flowing on the surface of the part to be cooled increases (see the dotted arrow in the figure). As a result, heat exchange between the surface of the part to be cooled and the air is efficiently performed, so that the part to be cooled can be cooled effectively. The parts to be cooled in the same figure are arranged in the order of the fuel supply part 6c and the electric part 7c in the order of proximity to the supply opening 5a, but they may be arranged reversely. Also, parts whose temperature is higher during driving or parts whose heat resistance is lower may be arranged closer to the supply opening 5a. In addition, if it is arrange | positioned on the line which connects the introductory opening 3a and the supply opening 5a, any one of the components 6c for fuel supply and the electrical component 7c will be any one of the introductory opening 3a and the supply opening 5a. It does not necessarily have to be arranged to get close to each other, and they may be arranged at equal distances.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4E, the introduction opening 3a and the supply opening 5a are configured such that the opening faces face each other, and the component to be cooled is on a straight line connecting the introduction opening 3a and the supply opening 5a. It may be located at By arranging in this way, the amount of air flowing on the entire surface of the part to be cooled is further increased (see the dotted arrow in the figure), so heat exchange between the surface of the part to be cooled and the air is performed more efficiently. The parts to be cooled can be effectively cooled.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell system 400 of the fourth embodiment, the component to be cooled is disposed in the vicinity of the introduction opening 3 a located in the low temperature region L or the supply opening 5 a located in the low temperature region L. As a result, the amount of air flowing on the surface of the component to be cooled is increased, so that the heat exchange between the surface of the component to be cooled and the air is performed more efficiently, and the component to be cooled can be cooled more effectively.

  Further, according to the fuel cell system 400 of the fourth embodiment, the fuel cell system 400 is disposed on the extension of the blowout direction of the introduction opening 3a in the low temperature region L or on the extension of the suction direction of the supply opening 5a in the low temperature region L. As a result, the amount of air flowing on the surface of the component to be cooled is increased, so that the heat exchange between the surface of the component to be cooled and the air is performed more efficiently, and the component to be cooled can be cooled more effectively.

-Fifth embodiment-
The fifth embodiment will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic configuration diagrams for explaining a fuel cell system 500 of the fifth embodiment. The difference between the fuel cell system 500 and the fuel cell systems 100 to 400 is that the introduction opening 3a is further provided with a swirler 11 for changing the air flow direction.

  The blower 4 is disposed outside the housing 9 in FIG. 5A, and the blower 4 is disposed inside the housing 9 in FIG. 5B. In any of the modes, by providing the swirler 11 in the introduction opening 5a, it is possible to control the flow direction and the flow rate of the air blown out from the introduction opening 5a. Thus, the flow direction and the flow rate of the air to the part to be cooled can be appropriately adjusted, so that the cooling effect on the part to be cooled can be improved.

  Further, since the flow direction of the air from the introduction opening 5a can be controlled by the swirler 11, the arrangement of the parts to be cooled, the installation place of the air introduction path 3, and the direction of facing the opening surface of the introduction opening 5a, etc. The degree of freedom in the layout of the

  The means for changing the air flow direction is not limited to the swirler 11, and may be a propeller, a nozzle or the like.

  As described above, the fuel cell system 500 according to the fifth embodiment further includes the swirler 11 which is disposed at the introduction opening 3 a in the low temperature region L and changes the flow direction of the air introduced into the low temperature region L. Thus, the flow direction and the flow rate of the air to the part to be cooled can be appropriately adjusted, so that the cooling effect on the part to be cooled can be improved.

-Sixth embodiment-
The sixth embodiment will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  6A and 6B are schematic configuration diagrams for explaining a fuel cell system 600 of the sixth embodiment. The fuel cell system 600 differs from the fuel cell systems 100 to 500 in that the air supply path 5 in the low temperature region L is further provided with air suction means for actively sucking the air in the low temperature region L.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic configuration view illustrating a fuel cell system 600 provided with a blower 12 as an air suction device. By providing the blower 12 in the air supply passage 5, the amount of air in the low temperature region L sucked into the air supply passage 5 can be increased. Thus, the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell 1 can be increased. In addition, since the amount or speed of air flowing through the low temperature region L can be increased, the cooling effect of the internal parts can be improved.

  In addition, by increasing the amount of air drawn into the air supply path 5 by the blower 12, the pressure in the low temperature region L in the housing 9 can be lowered. As a result, the pressure resistance performance of the housing 9 can be reduced and the sealing structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the inside of the housing 9 can be in a strong positive pressure state without the blower 12. Thereby, the weight of the housing 9 can be further reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the housing 9 can be reduced.

  FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a fuel cell system 600 provided with a jet pump 13 as an air suction device. When the jet pump 13 is used as the air supply means, the jet pump 13 is connected to the air introduction passage 3 and the air supply passage 5 as illustrated. Then, when the air flows from the air introduction path 3 to the air supply path 5 via the jet pump 13, the jet pump 13 sucks the air in the low temperature region L by the so-called venturi effect. Thus, as in the case of the blower 12, the amount of air in the low temperature region L sucked into the air supply passage 5 can be increased.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell system 600 of the sixth embodiment, the suction means (blower 12 or jet pump 13) disposed in the air supply passage 5 in the low temperature region L and sucking the air introduced into the low temperature region L Further equipped. As a result, the amount or speed of air flowing through the low temperature region L can be increased, so that the cooling effect of the internal parts can be improved.

  The above is the details of each embodiment to which the present invention is applied. However, the said embodiment showed only a part of application example of this invention, and it is not the meaning which limits the technical scope of this invention to the specific structure of the said embodiment. Various changes and modifications can be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the fuel cell 1 is configured by a solid oxide fuel cell has been described. However, the fuel cell 1 may be composed of other types of fuel cells that generate heat during operation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, or a phosphoric acid fuel cell.

  In addition, said each embodiment is combinable suitably in the range which a contradiction does not produce.

1 ... fuel cell 2 ... auxiliary equipment 3 ... oxidant gas introduction path (air introduction path)
3a ... opening (introduction opening)
4 ... Oxidizer gas introduction device (blower)
5 ... Oxidant gas supply path (air supply path)
5a ... opening (supply opening)
7c ... Equipment (electrical parts)
9: Case 10: Insulating material 11: Flow path changing means (swirler)
12 ... Oxidizer gas suction device (blower)
13 ... Oxidizer gas suction device (jet pump)

Claims (9)

A fuel cell that generates electricity with fuel gas and oxidant gas;
A heat insulating material provided so as to surround a high temperature area including the fuel cell;
A housing for containing the heat insulating material and having a low temperature region outside the heat insulating material;
A device disposed in the low temperature region and used for power generation of the fuel cell;
An oxidant gas introduction passage for introducing the oxidant gas from the outside of the casing to the low temperature region;
An oxidant gas supply passage for introducing the oxidant gas introduced into the low temperature region into the inside of the heat insulating material and supplying the fuel cell to the fuel cell;
An oxidant gas introduction device disposed in the oxidant gas introduction passage;
A fuel cell system comprising: The oxidant gas introduction device is disposed outside the housing.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oxidant gas introduction device is disposed in the low temperature region inside the housing.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A space continuous with the low temperature region is formed between the periphery of the heat insulating material and the inner surface of the housing.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The device is disposed in the vicinity of the opening of the oxidizing gas introduction passage located in the low temperature region or the opening of the oxidizing gas supply passage located in the low temperature region.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The device is disposed on an extension of a blowing direction of the oxidant gas introduction passage in the low temperature region, or on an extension of a suction direction of the oxidant gas supply passage in the low temperature region.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It further comprises flow path changing means disposed at the opening of the oxidizing gas introduction path in the low temperature range, and changing the flow direction of the oxidizing gas introduced into the low temperature range.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The system further comprises an oxidant gas suction device disposed in the oxidant gas supply path in the low temperature region and sucking the oxidant gas introduced into the low temperature region.
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A fuel cell that generates electricity with fuel gas and oxidant gas;
A heat insulating material provided so as to surround a high temperature area including the fuel cell;
A housing for containing the heat insulating material and having a low temperature region outside the heat insulating material;
A control method of a fuel cell system comprising: a device disposed in the low temperature region and used for power generation of the fuel cell;
Introducing the oxidant gas into the low temperature region from the outside of the housing using an oxidant gas introduction device;
Introducing the oxidant gas introduced into the low temperature region into the inside of the heat insulating material and supplying the fuel cell to the fuel cell;
And controlling a fuel cell system.

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