JP3685936B2 - Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system - Google Patents

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3685936B2
JP3685936B2 JP32714398A JP32714398A JP3685936B2 JP 3685936 B2 JP3685936 B2 JP 3685936B2 JP 32714398 A JP32714398 A JP 32714398A JP 32714398 A JP32714398 A JP 32714398A JP 3685936 B2 JP3685936 B2 JP 3685936B2
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fuel cell
air
fuel
polymer electrolyte
water
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JP2000156236A (en
JP2000156236A5 (en
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義明 山本
正高 尾関
彰成 中村
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Panasonic Corp
Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Panasonic Corp
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04029—Heat exchange using liquids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04067—Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
    • H01M8/04074—Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、固体高分子型燃料電池を用いて発電を行う固体高分子型燃料電池システムに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
以下に、従来の固体高分子型燃料電池システムについて説明する。
【０００３】
図３に、従来の固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す。水素生成装置２は天然ガスなどの原料を水蒸気改質し、水素リッチなガスを燃料電池１に供給する。水素生成装置２には、改質反応に必要な温度まで昇温させるバーナー３が設置されている。水素生成装置２の出口には、燃料電池１に供給する燃料ガスを加湿する燃料側加湿器４が設置されている。また、酸化剤としての空気は、空気供給装置５から供給され、空気側加湿器６により加湿される。燃料側加湿器４および空気側加湿器６は、燃料電池１の高分子膜の特性を保つためのものである。空気側加湿器６は、燃料電池１から排出される空気から水蒸気を回収する湿度交換型熱交換器で構成されている。燃料電池１から排出され空気側加湿器６で湿度を下げた空気は、空気側水回収器７で外気により冷却され、さらに除湿される。得られた凝縮水は水タンク８に蓄えられる。回収された水は、燃料側水ポンプ９により水素生成装置２および燃料側加湿器４に送られ、燃料改質および燃料側加湿に利用される。燃料電池１では、電気とともに熱が生じるために、冷却水を送る冷却用ポンプ１０と、発生した熱を外部へ放出する冷却用放熱器１１を備えている。
【０００４】
水素生成装置２内では、天然ガスから水素リッチなガスを生成する改質反応を促進するために、温度が７００℃程度になるようにバーナー３で加熱する。この改質反応には水蒸気が必要となるため、燃料側水ポンプ９より水が供給されている。水素生成装置２を出た燃料ガスは、燃料側加湿器４で加湿され、燃料電池１に送り込まれる。燃料電池１より排出される発電に用いられなかった燃料ガスは、バーナー３に送られ燃焼に利用される。なお、起動時は改質に必要な温度に達しないために、充分に水素に変換することができない。このとき改質ガスには一酸化炭素を多く含んでいる。一酸化炭素は燃料電池１の特性を大きく低下させることから、燃料電池１にガスを流すことができない。したがって、改質ガスを直接バーナー３に供給するバイパス回路１２が設けられている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来例のような燃料電池システムにおいて発電を行う際に、燃料電池１において大量の水蒸気が生成し、これが空気側加湿器６や空気側流路で結露し、空気側圧力および空気流量が変動し、電池特性が低下する課題を生じた。
【０００７】
本発明は、上述したこのような従来の固体高分子型燃料電池システムが有する課題を考慮して、高効率で安定した運転を確保することができる固体高分子型燃料電池システムを提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明（請求項１に記載の本発明に対応）は、少なくとも、
水素を含む燃料ガスと空気を用いて発電を行う固体高分子型の燃料電池と、
前記燃料電池への供給空気と前記燃料電池からの排出空気との間の熱交換を行うとともに、前記供給空気の加湿および前記排出空気の除湿を行う湿度交換型熱交換器と、
前記湿度交換型熱交換器より排出される空気に含まれる水蒸気を凝縮して回収する空気側水回収器とを備え、
前記燃料電池、前記湿度交換型熱交換器、及び前記空気側水回収器は、最上部に前記燃料電池が位置し、前記燃料電池の下方に前記湿度交換型熱交換器が位置し、前記湿度交換型熱交換器の下方に前記空気側水回収器が位置することを特徴とする固体高分子型燃料電池システムである。
【０００９】
本発明に関連する発明は、少なくとも、燃料ガスと空気を用いて発電を行う固体高分子型の燃料電池と、原料を水蒸気改質して水素リッチな改質ガスを生成する水素生成装置と、前記燃料電池より排出される燃料ガスに含まれる水蒸気を凝縮して回収する燃料側水回収器と、前記水素生成装置の出口と前記燃料側水回収器の入口を結ぶバイパス管と、起動時には、改質ガスを前記バイパス管へ導き、通常運転時には改質ガスを前記燃料電池へ導く切り替え機構とを、備えたことを特徴とする固体高分子型燃料電池システムである。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１１】
（実施の形態）
図１は、本発明の実施の形態における固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す構成図である。水素を含む燃料ガスと空気を用いて発電を行う燃料電池２１には、水素生成装置２２から天然ガスなどの原料が水蒸気改質された水素リッチなガスが供給される。水素生成装置２２には、改質反応に必要な温度まで昇温させるバーナー２３が設置されている。水素生成装置２２の出口には、燃料電池１に供給する燃料ガスを加湿する燃料側加湿器２４が設置されている。また、酸化剤としての空気は、空気供給装置２５から供給され、空気側加湿器２６により加湿される。燃料側加湿器２４および空気側加湿器２６は、燃料電池２１の高分子膜の特性を保つためのものである。
【００１２】
空気側加湿器２６は、燃料電池２１から排出される空気から水蒸気を回収する湿度交換型熱交換器で構成されている。燃料電池２１から排出され空気側加湿器２６で湿度を下げた空気は、空気側水回収器２７で外気により冷却され、さらに除湿される。得られた凝縮水は水タンク２８に蓄えられる。回収された水は、燃料側水ポンプ２９により水素生成装置２２および燃料側加湿器２４に送られ、燃料改質および燃料側加湿に利用される。燃料電池２１では電気とともに熱が生じるために、冷却水を送る冷却用ポンプ３０と、発生した熱を外部へ放出する冷却用放熱器３１を備えている。
【００１３】
次に、このような本実施の形態の動作を説明する。
【００１４】
燃料電池２１内部では、水素を含む改質ガスと空気が反応して大量の水蒸気が生じる。この水蒸気は、空気側流路で形成されるために、その大部分が空気側の出口から流出してくる。この時、液化した水が含まれる。本発明では、燃料電池２１は最上部に位置するため、液化した水も滞留することなくスムーズに流下することができる。流出した空気は空気側加湿器２６に流入する。空気側加湿器２６では、空気供給装置２５から供給される低温、低湿度の空気に水蒸気と熱を与える。このときの降温により凝縮水が生じる。凝縮水を含む空気は、下方に位置する空気側水回収器２７に重力によりスムーズに流出する。空気側水回収器２７は、外部空気により冷却され、水蒸気を凝縮させる。
【００１５】
以上のように、本実施の形態の効果として、凝縮して生じる水滴を重力を利用してスムーズに流下することができることから、空気流路の圧力変動が抑えられる。これにより、空気の流れが安定し、電池内部の反応が一定状態で進み、高い効率が得られる。
【００１６】
次に、本発明に関連する発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１７】
図２は、本発明に関連する発明の実施の形態における固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す構成図である。水素を含む燃料ガスと空気を用いて発電を行う燃料電池４１には、水素生成装置４２から、天然ガスなどの原料が水蒸気改質された水素リッチなガスが供給される。水素生成装置４２には、改質反応に必要な温度まで昇温させるバーナー４３が設置されている。水素生成装置４２の出口には、燃料電池４１に供給する燃料ガスを加湿する燃料側加湿器４４が設置されている。また、酸化剤としての空気は、空気供給装置４５から供給され、空気側加湿器４６により加湿される。燃料側加湿器４４および空気側加湿器４６は、燃料電池４１の高分子膜の特性を保つためのものである。空気側加湿器４６は、燃料電池４１から排出される空気から水蒸気を回収する湿度交換型熱交換器で構成されている。燃料電池４１から排出され空気側加湿器４６で湿度を下げた空気は、空気側水回収器４７で外気により冷却され、さらに除湿される。また、燃料電池４１から排出された燃料ガスは、燃料側水回収器４８で外気により冷却され、凝縮水を生じる。双方から得られた凝縮水は水タンク４９に蓄えられる。回収された水は、燃料側水ポンプ５０により水素生成装置４２および燃料側加湿器４４に送られ、燃料改質および燃料側加湿に利用される。燃料電池４１では電気とともに熱が生じるために、冷却水を送る冷却用ポンプ５１と、発生した熱を外部へ放出する冷却用放熱器５２を備えている。
【００１８】
水素生成装置４２内では、天然ガスから水素リッチなガスを生成する改質反応を促進するために、温度が７００℃程度になるようにバーナー４３で加熱する。この改質反応には水蒸気が必要となるため、燃料側水ポンプ５０より水が供給されている。水素生成装置４２を出た燃料ガスは、燃料側加湿器４４で加湿され、燃料電池４１に送り込まれる。燃料電池４１より排出される発電に用いられなかった燃料ガスは、バーナー４３に送られ燃焼に利用される。このとき、燃料ガスは加湿時の水蒸気や、水素の消耗によって生じる水分を含んでいるが、燃料側水回収器４８を経由することにより、水蒸気量を減らしてバーナー４３に入る。
【００１９】
次に、このような本発明に関連する発明の実施の形態に関する動作を説明する。
【００２０】
起動時は改質に必要な温度に達しないために、充分に水素に変換することができない。このとき一酸化炭素を多く含むため、そのまま燃料電池４１にガスを流すと燃料電池４１の触媒が被毒し、特性を大きく低下させる。したがって、改質ガスを直接燃料側水回収器４８に運ぶように、切り替え弁５３を切り替える。これにより、一酸化炭素による被毒が回避できる。また、切り替えられた改質ガスは、燃料側水回収器４８により、大量に含んだ水分を分離するため、バーナー４３でスムーズに燃焼させることができる。したがって、改質ガスのエネルギーを有効利用でき、効率よく短時間で起動させることができる。
従来例の固体高分子型燃料電池システムでは、起動時に改質ガスをバイパスすると、改質ガスに含まれている水分によって、充分に燃焼することができず、臭気を発生したり、昇温時間が逆に長くなる場合があった。
対して本発明に関連する発明の固体高分子型燃料電池システムによれば、起動時の改質ガスの水蒸気を除湿した後に燃焼させることから、改質ガスのエネルギーを有効利用でき、効率よく短時間でスムーズに起動させることができる。
【００２１】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したところから明らかなように、本発明は、高効率運転を図ることができる固体高分子型燃料電池システムを提供することができる。
【００２２】
すなわち、空気流路内に生じる凝縮水を重力を利用してスムーズに排出させることにより、空気流路の圧力変動が抑えられ、電池内部の反応が一定状態で進み、高い効率が得られる。
【００２４】
このように本発明によれば、高効率な運転が可能となるものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の実施の形態における固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す構成図である。
【図２】 本発明に関連する発明の実施の形態における固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す構成図である。
【図３】従来の固体高分子型燃料電池システムを示す構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１、２１，４１ 燃料電池
２、２２，４２ 水素生成装置
３、２３，４３ バーナー
４、２４，４４ 燃料側加湿器
５、２５，４５ 空気供給装置
６，２６，４６ 空気側加湿器
７、２７，４７ 空気側水回収器
８，２８，４９ 水タンク
４８ 燃料側水回収器[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system that generates electric power using a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Hereinafter, a conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell system will be described.
[0003]
FIG. 3 shows a conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell system. The hydrogen generator 2 steam-reforms a raw material such as natural gas, and supplies a hydrogen-rich gas to the fuel cell 1. The hydrogen generator 2 is provided with a burner 3 for raising the temperature to a temperature required for the reforming reaction. A fuel-side humidifier 4 that humidifies the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 1 is installed at the outlet of the hydrogen generator 2. Air as an oxidant is supplied from the air supply device 5 and is humidified by the air-side humidifier 6. The fuel-side humidifier 4 and the air-side humidifier 6 are for maintaining the characteristics of the polymer film of the fuel cell 1. The air-side humidifier 6 is a humidity exchange heat exchanger that recovers water vapor from the air discharged from the fuel cell 1. The air discharged from the fuel cell 1 and reduced in humidity by the air side humidifier 6 is cooled by the outside air in the air side water recovery unit 7 and further dehumidified. The obtained condensed water is stored in the water tank 8. The recovered water is sent to the hydrogen generator 2 and the fuel-side humidifier 4 by the fuel-side water pump 9 and used for fuel reforming and fuel-side humidification. In order to generate heat together with electricity, the fuel cell 1 includes a cooling pump 10 that sends cooling water and a cooling radiator 11 that releases the generated heat to the outside.
[0004]
In the hydrogen generator 2, heating is performed by the burner 3 so that the temperature becomes about 700 ° C. in order to promote a reforming reaction that generates a hydrogen-rich gas from natural gas. Since this reforming reaction requires steam, water is supplied from the fuel-side water pump 9. The fuel gas exiting the hydrogen generator 2 is humidified by the fuel-side humidifier 4 and sent to the fuel cell 1. The fuel gas that has not been used for power generation discharged from the fuel cell 1 is sent to the burner 3 and used for combustion. In addition, since it does not reach the temperature required for reforming at the time of start-up, it cannot be sufficiently converted into hydrogen. At this time, the reformed gas contains a large amount of carbon monoxide. Since carbon monoxide greatly deteriorates the characteristics of the fuel cell 1, gas cannot flow through the fuel cell 1. Therefore, a bypass circuit 12 for supplying the reformed gas directly to the burner 3 is provided.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when power generation is performed in the fuel cell system as in the above-described conventional example, a large amount of water vapor is generated in the fuel cell 1, which is condensed in the air-side humidifier 6 or the air-side flow path, and the air-side pressure and the air flow rate. Fluctuated, causing a problem that the battery characteristics deteriorated.
[0007]
The present invention, in consideration of the problems with such a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell system described above, to provide a highly efficient and stable polymer electrolyte fuel cell system capable you to ensure operation was It is intended.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention (corresponding to the present invention described in claim 1) is at least
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen-containing fuel gas and air;
A humidity exchange type heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the supply air to the fuel cell and the exhaust air from the fuel cell, and humidifies the supply air and dehumidifies the exhaust air;
An air-side water recovery device that condenses and recovers water vapor contained in the air discharged from the humidity exchange heat exchanger,
The fuel cell, the humidity exchanger heat exchanger, and the air-side water collector, the fuel cell is positioned at the top, the moisture exchanger heat exchanger below the fuel cell is located, the humidity The solid polymer fuel cell system is characterized in that the air side water recovery unit is located below the exchange type heat exchanger .
[0009]
Inventions related to the present invention includes at least a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electricity by using a fuel gas and air, and the hydrogen generator to feed the steam reforming to produce a hydrogen-rich reformed gas A fuel-side water recovery device that condenses and recovers water vapor contained in the fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell, a bypass pipe that connects the outlet of the hydrogen generator and the inlet of the fuel-side water recovery device, and at startup The polymer electrolyte fuel cell system includes a switching mechanism that guides the reformed gas to the bypass pipe and guides the reformed gas to the fuel cell during normal operation.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
(In the form of implementation)
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system in the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention. A hydrogen-rich gas obtained by steam reforming a raw material such as natural gas is supplied from a hydrogen generator 22 to a fuel cell 21 that generates power using a fuel gas containing hydrogen and air. The hydrogen generator 22 is provided with a burner 23 that raises the temperature to a temperature required for the reforming reaction. A fuel-side humidifier 24 that humidifies the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 1 is installed at the outlet of the hydrogen generator 22. Air as an oxidant is supplied from the air supply device 25 and is humidified by the air-side humidifier 26. The fuel-side humidifier 24 and the air-side humidifier 26 are for maintaining the characteristics of the polymer film of the fuel cell 21.
[0012]
The air-side humidifier 26 is composed of a humidity exchange type heat exchanger that collects water vapor from the air discharged from the fuel cell 21. The air discharged from the fuel cell 21 and reduced in humidity by the air-side humidifier 26 is cooled by the outside air in the air-side water recovery device 27 and further dehumidified. The obtained condensed water is stored in the water tank 28. The recovered water is sent to the hydrogen generator 22 and the fuel-side humidifier 24 by the fuel-side water pump 29 and used for fuel reforming and fuel-side humidification. In order to generate heat together with electricity, the fuel cell 21 includes a cooling pump 30 that sends cooling water and a cooling radiator 31 that releases the generated heat to the outside.
[0013]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0014]
Inside the fuel cell 21, the reformed gas containing hydrogen and air react to generate a large amount of water vapor. Since this water vapor is formed in the air-side flow path, most of the water vapor flows out of the air-side outlet. At this time, liquefied water is contained. In the present invention, since the fuel cell 21 is located at the uppermost part, the liquefied water can flow smoothly without staying. The outflowed air flows into the air side humidifier 26. The air-side humidifier 26 gives water vapor and heat to the low-temperature, low-humidity air supplied from the air supply device 25. Condensed water is generated by the temperature drop at this time. The air containing the condensed water smoothly flows out by gravity into the air-side water recovery device 27 located below. The air side water recovery device 27 is cooled by external air and condenses water vapor.
[0015]
As described above, as an effect of the present embodiment, water droplets generated by condensation can flow smoothly using gravity, so that pressure fluctuations in the air flow path can be suppressed. Thereby, the flow of air is stabilized, the reaction inside the battery proceeds in a constant state, and high efficiency is obtained.
[0016]
Next, embodiments of the invention related to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the invention related to the present invention. A hydrogen-rich gas obtained by steam reforming a raw material such as natural gas is supplied from a hydrogen generator 42 to a fuel cell 41 that generates power using a fuel gas containing hydrogen and air. The hydrogen generator 42 is provided with a burner 43 that raises the temperature to a temperature required for the reforming reaction. A fuel-side humidifier 44 that humidifies the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 41 is installed at the outlet of the hydrogen generator 42. Air as an oxidant is supplied from the air supply device 45 and is humidified by the air-side humidifier 46. The fuel-side humidifier 44 and the air-side humidifier 46 are for maintaining the characteristics of the polymer film of the fuel cell 41. The air-side humidifier 46 is composed of a humidity exchange type heat exchanger that collects water vapor from the air discharged from the fuel cell 41. The air discharged from the fuel cell 41 and lowered in humidity by the air side humidifier 46 is cooled by the outside air in the air side water recovery unit 47 and further dehumidified. Further, the fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell 41 is cooled by the outside air in the fuel-side water recovery device 48 to generate condensed water. Condensed water obtained from both sides is stored in a water tank 49. The recovered water is sent to the hydrogen generator 42 and the fuel-side humidifier 44 by the fuel-side water pump 50 and used for fuel reforming and fuel-side humidification. Since the fuel cell 41 generates heat together with electricity, the fuel cell 41 includes a cooling pump 51 that sends cooling water and a cooling radiator 52 that releases the generated heat to the outside.
[0018]
In the hydrogen generator 42, in order to promote the reforming reaction which produces | generates a hydrogen rich gas from natural gas, it heats with the burner 43 so that temperature may become about 700 degreeC. Since this reforming reaction requires steam, water is supplied from the fuel-side water pump 50. The fuel gas exiting the hydrogen generator 42 is humidified by the fuel side humidifier 44 and sent to the fuel cell 41. The fuel gas that has not been used for power generation discharged from the fuel cell 41 is sent to the burner 43 and used for combustion. At this time, the fuel gas contains water vapor at the time of humidification and moisture generated by the consumption of hydrogen, but enters the burner 43 by reducing the amount of water vapor through the fuel side water recovery device 48.
[0019]
Next, the operation relating to the embodiment of the invention related to the present invention will be described.
[0020]
Since it does not reach the temperature required for reforming at the time of start-up, it cannot be sufficiently converted to hydrogen. At this time, since a large amount of carbon monoxide is contained, if the gas is allowed to flow through the fuel cell 41 as it is, the catalyst of the fuel cell 41 is poisoned and the characteristics are greatly degraded. Therefore, the switching valve 53 is switched so as to carry the reformed gas directly to the fuel side water collector 48 . Thereby, poisoning by carbon monoxide can be avoided. Further, the reformed gas that has been switched is separated by the fuel-side water recovery device 48 so that a large amount of water is separated, so that it can be burned smoothly by the burner 43. Therefore, the energy of the reformed gas can be used effectively and can be activated efficiently in a short time.
In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell system of the conventional example, if the reformed gas is bypassed at the time of startup, the reformed gas cannot be burned sufficiently due to moisture contained in the reformed gas, and an odor is generated or the temperature rising time is increased. On the contrary, there was a case where it became longer.
On the other hand, according to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell system of the invention related to the present invention, since the steam of the reformed gas at the start-up is dehumidified and burned, the energy of the reformed gas can be used effectively and efficiently shortened. It can be started smoothly in time.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, the present invention can provide a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system which can achieve high efficiency OPERATION.
[0022]
That is, by smoothly discharging the condensed water generated in the air channel using gravity, the pressure fluctuation in the air channel is suppressed, the reaction inside the battery proceeds in a constant state, and high efficiency is obtained.
[0024]
Thus, according to the present invention, highly efficient operation is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a block diagram showing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system in the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system in an embodiment of the invention related to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 41 Fuel cell 2, 22, 42 Hydrogen generator 3, 23, 43 Burner 4, 24, 44 Fuel side humidifier 5, 25, 45 Air supply device 6, 26, 46 Air side humidifier 7, 27 , 47 Air side water recovery device 8, 28, 49 Water tank 48 Fuel side water recovery device

Claims (1)

少なくとも、
水素を含む燃料ガスと空気を用いて発電を行う固体高分子型の燃料電池と、
前記燃料電池への供給空気と前記燃料電池からの排出空気との間の熱交換を行うとともに、前記供給空気の加湿および前記排出空気の除湿を行う湿度交換型熱交換器と、
前記湿度交換型熱交換器より排出される空気に含まれる水蒸気を凝縮して回収する空気側水回収器とを備え、
前記燃料電池、前記湿度交換型熱交換器、及び前記空気側水回収器は、最上部に前記燃料電池が位置し、前記燃料電池の下方に前記湿度交換型熱交換器が位置し、前記湿度交換型熱交換器の下方に前記空気側水回収器が位置することを特徴とする固体高分子型燃料電池システム。at least,
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen-containing fuel gas and air;
A humidity exchange type heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the supply air to the fuel cell and the exhaust air from the fuel cell, and humidifies the supply air and dehumidifies the exhaust air;
An air-side water recovery device that condenses and recovers water vapor contained in the air discharged from the humidity exchange heat exchanger,
The fuel cell, the humidity exchanger heat exchanger, and the air-side water collector, the fuel cell is positioned at the top, the moisture exchanger heat exchanger below the fuel cell is located, the humidity The polymer electrolyte fuel cell system , wherein the air-side water recovery unit is located below the exchange heat exchanger .
JP32714398A 1998-11-17 1998-11-17 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system Expired - Lifetime JP3685936B2 (en)

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