JP4264993B2 - Regenerative fuel cell equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a regenerative fuel cell facility that uses solar energy to electrolyze and store water into hydrogen and oxygen during the daytime, and supplies the hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell at night to obtain electric power.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Regenerative fuel cell equipment applies the principle that hydrogen and oxygen react electrochemically to generate electricity directly. This fuel cell facility is a clean power generation facility that has high power generation efficiency and can be installed in a consumption area, so there is no transmission loss, effective use of limited energy resources, and extremely low emission of air pollutants.
For this reason, utilization as a power generation facility not only on the earth but also on the moon has been studied, and a facility for ground test as shown in FIG. 4 has been proposed for practical use.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 4, the regenerative fuel cell facility uses solar energy in the daytime to electrolyze water W into hydrogen H and oxygen O, and the obtained hydrogen H and oxygen O respectively. It comprises an oxygen storage unit 4 and a hydrogen storage unit 5 that store, and a fuel cell device 2 that generates electricity using hydrogen H and oxygen O as fuel at night.
[0004]
The water electrolysis apparatus 1 includes a solar cell 6 that receives solar energy to generate electric power, an electrolytic cell 7 that receives electric power from the solar cell 6 and electrolyzes water W, and water W that is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7. A water tank 8 to be stored, a water pump 9 for sending water W from the water tank 8 to the electrolyzer 7, an ion removing device 10 for removing ions contained in the water W that has passed through the water pump 9, and the ion removing device 10 and the pure water heater 11 which heats the water W which passed 10 to the required temperature.
[0005]
The oxygen storage unit 4 cools the oxygen O obtained by the water electrolysis apparatus 1, cools the water vapor contained therein and returns it to the condensed water W ′, and the condensed water divided by the cooler 12. A gas-liquid separator 13 that temporarily stores W ′ and oxygen O, an oxygen tank 14 that stores oxygen O in the gas-liquid separator 13, and a water tank that stores condensed water W ′ in the gas-liquid separator 13 And a water pump 15 </ b> A for returning to 8.
The hydrogen storage unit 5 cools the hydrogen H obtained by the water electrolysis apparatus 1, cools the water vapor contained therein, and returns it to the condensed water W ′, and the condensed water divided by the cooler 16. A gas-liquid separator 17 that temporarily stores W ′ and hydrogen H, a hydrogen tank 18 that stores hydrogen H in the gas-liquid separator 17, and a water tank that stores condensed water W ′ in the gas-liquid separator 17 And a water pump 15B for returning to 8. Reference numerals R and H denote a heat exchanging radiator and a high-temperature device, respectively.
In addition, the electric power required for operation | movement of water pump 15A, 15B etc. is covered with the electric power from the solar cell 6. FIG.
[0006]
The fuel cell device 2 includes a fuel cell 16 that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting oxygen O and hydrogen H stored in the oxygen tank 14 and the hydrogen tank 18, respectively. In the path from the hydrogen tank 18 to the fuel cell 16, humidifiers 19 and 20, gas-liquid separators 21, coolers 22 and 23, and blowers 24 and 25 for adjusting supplied oxygen O and hydrogen H are provided. It has been. Reference numeral 26 is an electric power device that receives supply of electric power generated by the fuel cell 16, and reference numeral R is a radiator for heat exchange.
[0007]
Power generation by the above-described regenerative fuel cell facility is performed as follows.
In the daytime, the electrolytic cell 7 receives supply of electric power from the solar cell 6 and electrolyzes water W into oxygen O and hydrogen H based on the electric power. The water W is consumed by being electrolyzed, but is supplied from the water tank 8 for the amount consumed.
That is, the water pump 9 is activated to supply water W stored in the water tank 8 toward the electrolytic cell 7, ions are removed by the ion removing device 10, and heated to a desired temperature by the pure water heater 11. After that, it is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7.
[0008]
The electrolyzed oxygen O is cooled in the cooler 12, and water vapor contained in the oxygen O becomes condensed water W ′ and is separated from the oxygen O. These oxygen O and condensed water W ′ are temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator 13. Oxygen O is stored in the oxygen tank 14, and the condensed water W ′ is returned to the water tank 8 by the water pump 15A.
The electrolyzed hydrogen H is cooled in the cooler 16, and the water vapor contained in the hydrogen H becomes condensed water W ′ and is separated from the hydrogen H. These hydrogen H and condensed water W ′ are temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator 17. Hydrogen H is stored in the hydrogen tank 18, and the condensed water W ′ is returned to the water tank 8 by the water pump 15B.
Through the above process, oxygen O and hydrogen H are stored in the oxygen tank 14 and the hydrogen tank 18 respectively in the daytime.
[0009]
At night, oxygen O and hydrogen H stored in the daytime are supplied from the oxygen tank 14 and the hydrogen tank 18 to the fuel cell 16. Then, in the fuel cell 16, hydrogen H and oxygen O react electrochemically to generate electric power. The electric power generated in this way is supplied to the electric power device 26.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-mentioned regenerative fuel cell equipment has the following problems.
That is, since there are many components, the weight of the entire equipment increases, and the weight becomes a problem when the equipment is sent from the earth to a celestial body such as the moon.
Similarly, due to the large number of components, it is prone to failure, so it has low reliability and has a problem that it is difficult to perform maintenance and inspection in space.
Further, in the daytime electrolysis process, it is necessary for the solar cell 6 to supply power for operating the water pumps 15A, 15B and the like, so that there is a problem that the amount of power generation required for the solar cell 6 increases.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and intends to achieve the following object.
That is, an object is to provide a regenerative fuel cell facility that is simple and can be reduced in weight.
Another object of the present invention is to provide equipment having high independence and reliability.
Moreover, it aims also at suppressing the electric power generation amount requested | required of a solar cell.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The regenerative fuel cell facility of the present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
That is, a regenerative fuel cell facility is a regenerative fuel cell facility that electrolyzes water into hydrogen and oxygen and stores them in an oxygen storage unit and a hydrogen storage unit, and generates electricity using them as fuel, and is a space in a sealed container. ion permeability of partition walls separating the vertically divided state is formed on the hydrogen side space communicating with the hydrogen savings portion with oxygen side space communicating with said oxygen savings portion, of the partition wall, the space lower storing water water the electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of the electrode for a single cell is provided for electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen, oxygen and hydrogen storing comprising a plurality of power generation unit cell that generates electric power in the space upper oxygen and hydrogen as fuel power generating cell (41) In the electrolysis unit cell and the power generation unit cell, the anode facing the oxygen side space side and the cathode facing the hydrogen side space side are respectively arranged in a plane on the partition wall, and the power generation cell (41) Stop In the state, electric power is supplied to the electrolysis cell (39), and the water (W) stored in the oxygen side space (S ′) and the hydrogen side space (S ″) of the container (31) is converted into ion permeable partition walls ( 36), oxygen (O) in the oxygen side space (S ′) and hydrogen side space (S ″) in the state where the electrolysis cell (39) is stopped by electrolysis to oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H). And hydrogen (H) is supplied to the power generation cell (41) and electrochemically reacted through the ion-permeable partition wall (36) to generate electric power .
According to the above regenerative fuel cell facility, the water in the container is electrolyzed into oxygen and hydrogen by the single cell for electrolysis and stored in the oxygen storage unit and the hydrogen storage unit, respectively. At this time, the water in the container is consumed and the water level falls. Further, when the stored oxygen and hydrogen are returned to the container, the power generation single cell generates electricity using these as fuel. Oxygen and hydrogen used for power generation return to water and return to the lower part of the space where the single cell for electrolysis is located by gravity. As a result, the water level in the lower space where the single cell for electrolysis is located rises.
[0013]
According to the regenerative fuel cell facility, the single cell for electrolysis and the single cell for power generation are arranged so as to form a small volume. Further, during electrolysis, oxygen is generated in the oxygen side space where the anode of the single cell for electrolysis is present, and hydrogen is generated in the hydrogen side space where the cathode is present, but these oxygen and hydrogen are separated by the partition walls. Do not mix. Further, even during power generation, oxygen supplied from the oxygen storage unit to the anode of the single cell for power generation and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage unit to the cathode are separated by the partition walls and are not mixed.
[0014]
In this regenerative fuel cell facility, the electrolysis single cells are connected in parallel with each other, and the power generation single cells are connected in series with each other.
According to the above regenerative fuel cell equipment, during electrolysis, the single cells for electrolysis are connected in parallel, so that high power is obtained. Further, at the time of power generation, each single cell for power generation generates a high output because it is connected in series.
[0015]
In this regenerative fuel cell facility, the oxygen storage unit and the hydrogen storage unit include electrolyzed oxygen and hydrogen mixed in hydrogen or a catalytic reactor for returning oxygen to water, and the obtained oxygen and hydrogen are cooled. A steam condenser for returning the condensed water generated while returning to the space is provided.
According to the above regenerative fuel cell facility, the oxygen or hydrogen mixed in the electrolyzed oxygen and hydrogen is returned to the water by the catalytic reactor and removed, and the contained water vapor is cooled by the water vapor condenser. It becomes condensed water and is removed.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a regenerative fuel cell facility according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the regenerative fuel cell facility of the present invention includes a container 31 having a space S for storing water W, and an electrolysis cell that is provided below the space S and electrolyzes water W into hydrogen H and oxygen O. 39, a solar cell 37 for supplying electric power to the electrolytic cell 39, an oxygen storage unit 33 and a hydrogen storage unit 34 for storing the obtained oxygen O and hydrogen H, respectively, and an oxygen storage unit 33 provided above the space S And a power generation cell 41 that generates power using oxygen O and hydrogen H from the hydrogen storage unit 34 as fuel.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the space S in the container 31 is vertically divided into an oxygen side space S ′ leading to the oxygen storage section 33 and a hydrogen side space S ″ leading to the hydrogen storage section 34. An ion-permeable partition wall 36 is formed, and an electrolytic cell 39 is mounted below the partition wall 36. The electrolytic cell 39 includes a plurality of anodes A and cathodes C as shown in FIG. The electrolysis single cells 38 are arranged in a planar shape, and the anode A and the cathode C of each electrolysis single cell 38 are arranged so as to face the oxygen side space S ′ and the hydrogen side space S ″, respectively. ing. And each single cell 38 for electrolysis is mutually connected in parallel, and comprises the electrolysis apparatus 32 by being connected to the solar cell 37 in this state.
[0018]
A power generation cell 41 is mounted on the upper part of the partition wall 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation cell 41 has a plurality of power generation single cells 40 each having an anode A and a cathode C arranged in a planar shape. The anode A and the cathode C of each power generating unit cell 40 are arranged so as to face the oxygen side space S ′ and the hydrogen side space S ″, respectively.
And each single cell 40 for electric power generation is mutually connected in series, and comprises the electric power generating apparatus 35, and is connected to the electric power apparatus 50 which receives supply of electric power in this state.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the oxygen storage unit 33 and the hydrogen storage unit 34 include electrolyzed oxygen O, hydrogen H mixed in the hydrogen H, or catalytic reactors 44 and 45 that return the oxygen O to the water W, oxygen O And steam condensers 42 and 43 for returning condensed water W ′ generated while cooling the hydrogen H into the space S, and an oxygen tank 46 and a hydrogen tank 47 for storing the obtained oxygen O and hydrogen H. .
[0020]
Power generation by the above-described regenerative fuel cell facility is performed as follows.
In the daytime, with the power generation device 35 stopped, the solar cell 37 receives solar energy and supplies power to each single cell 38 for electrolysis. At this time, the electrolysis unit cells 38 are connected in parallel to each other, and thus receive high power. Based on this electric power, each single cell 38 for electrolysis electrolyzes water W stored in the oxygen side space S ′ and the hydrogen side space S ″ of the container 31 into oxygen O and hydrogen H.
Electrolyzed oxygen O and hydrogen H travel from the oxygen side space S ′ and the hydrogen side space S ″ to the catalytic reactors 44 and 45, respectively.
[0021]
In the catalyst reactor 44 of the oxygen storage unit 33, when hydrogen H is slightly mixed in the oxygen O, this hydrogen H reacts with the corresponding amount of oxygen O and is returned to the water W, and the oxygen side space Flow down into S '. Similarly, in the catalyst reactor 45 of the hydrogen storage unit 34, when oxygen O is slightly mixed in the hydrogen H, the oxygen O reacts with the corresponding amount of hydrogen H and is returned to the water W, It flows down into the hydrogen side space S ″.
[0022]
Oxygen O and hydrogen H that have passed through the catalyst reactors 44 and 45 go to the oxygen tank 46 and the hydrogen tank 47, respectively, but are cooled by the steam condensers 42 and 43 along the way. At this time, water vapor contained in oxygen O and hydrogen H due to reaction heat during electrolysis is returned to condensed water W ′ and flows down into oxygen side space S ′ and hydrogen side space S ″.
The oxygen O and hydrogen H that have passed through the steam condensers 42 and 43 are stored in an oxygen tank 46 and a hydrogen tank 47, respectively.
[0023]
At night, with the water electrolysis device 32 and the water vapor condensers 42 and 43 stopped, the oxygen O and hydrogen H stored in the oxygen tank 46 and the hydrogen tank 47 during the day are utilized using these gas pressures. Supply into oxygen side space S ′ and hydrogen side space S ″.
Then, oxygen O and hydrogen H supplied to the power generation cells 41 react electrochemically in each power generation single cell 40 to generate electric power. The electric power generated in this way is supplied to the electric power device 50. The oxygen O and hydrogen H used for power generation return to the water W again and are stored in the lower part of the space S where the electrolysis cell 39 is located.
[0024]
As described above, in the regenerative fuel cell facility of the present invention, the electrolysis cell 39 and the power generation cell 41 are accommodated in the container 31 and the electrolysis cell 41 is disposed below the power generation cell 39. Since the water W generated in the cell 39 is returned to the electrolysis cell 41 by gravity, an apparatus for moving the water W becomes unnecessary.
Therefore, a large number of devices such as the water pumps 15A and 15B required in the conventional facility are not required, and the number of components can be reduced, so that a simple and lightweight regenerative fuel cell facility can be obtained. For the same reason as above, it is possible to make the equipment highly reliable and highly independent. And since the apparatus which requires electric power at the time of electrolysis can be reduced, it also becomes possible to suppress significantly the electric power generation amount requested | required of the solar cell 37. FIG.
Further, since the space S in the container 31 is partitioned into an oxygen side space S ′ and a hydrogen side space S ″ by the partition wall 36, oxygen O and hydrogen H generated between these spaces S ′ and S ″ go back and forth. And mixing is prevented. And since the unit cell 38 for electrolysis and the unit cell 40 for electric power generation are each arrange | positioned in planar shape, an occupation volume can be kept small.
Moreover, since each unit cell 38 for electrolysis is mutually connected in parallel, high electric power can be obtained and sufficient electrolysis can be performed. And since each single cell 40 for electric power generation is mutually connected in series, a high output can be given to the electric power apparatus 50. FIG.
Further, since the catalyst reactors 44 and 46 and the steam condensers 42 and 43 are provided, the hydrogen H and oxygen O contained in the oxygen O and hydrogen H, and further the water vapor can be removed. H can be obtained.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a large number of devices such as a water pump that have been required in conventional facilities are no longer necessary, and the number of components can be reduced. Therefore, a simple and lightweight regenerative fuel cell facility can be provided. For the same reason as above, it is possible to make the equipment highly reliable and highly independent. And since the apparatus which requires electric power at the time of electrolysis can be reduced, it also becomes possible to suppress significantly the electric power generation amount requested | required of a solar cell.
Further, since the inner space of the container is partitioned into an oxygen side space and a hydrogen side space by the partition walls, it is possible to prevent oxygen and hydrogen generated between these spaces from coming and going. And since the unit cell for electrolysis and the unit cell for electric power generation are each arrange | positioned in planar shape, an occupation volume can be kept small.
Moreover, since each unit cell for electrolysis is mutually connected in parallel, high electric power can be obtained and sufficient electrolysis can be performed. And since each single cell for electric power generation is mutually connected in series, it can give a high output to an electric power apparatus.
Further, by providing the catalytic reactor and the water vapor condenser, hydrogen and oxygen contained in oxygen and hydrogen, and also water vapor can be removed, so that oxygen and hydrogen with high purity can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram of a regenerative fuel cell facility.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a water electrolysis apparatus of the regenerative fuel cell facility.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a power generator of the regenerative fuel cell facility.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional regenerative fuel cell facility.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 ... Container 33 ... Oxygen storage unit 34 ... Hydrogen storage unit 36 ... Partition 38 ... Single cell 39 for electrolysis 39 ... Electrolytic cell 40 ... Single cell 41 for power generation ... Power generation cells 42, 43 ... Steam condensers 44, 45 ... Catalytic reactor A ... Anode C ... Cathode H ... Hydrogen O ... Oxygen S ... Space S '... Oxygen side space S "... Hydrogen side space W ... Water W '... Condensed water

Claims (3)

A regenerative fuel cell facility that electrolyzes water (W) into hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), stores them in an oxygen storage unit (33) and a hydrogen storage unit (34), and generates electricity as fuel.
The space (S ) in the sealed container (31) is vertically divided into an oxygen side space (S ′) communicating with the oxygen storage unit (33) and a hydrogen side space (S ″) communicating with the hydrogen storage unit (34). An ion-permeable partition wall (36) is formed that is divided into split states,
Of the septa (36), consisting of water (W) is the space for storing (S) water (W) at a lower portion of the hydrogen (H) and oxygen plurality of electrolysis single cell electrolysis (O) (38) electrolytic cell (39) is provided, consisting of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) storing space (S) a plurality of power generation unit cell on the upper of generating oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) as fuel (40) A power generation cell (41) is provided;
The single cell for electrolysis (38) and the single cell for power generation (40) have an anode (A) facing the oxygen side space (S ′) and a cathode (C) facing the hydrogen side space (S ″). Each arranged in a plane on the partition wall (36),
In the state where the power generation cell (41) is stopped, electric power is supplied to the electrolysis cell (39), and water stored in the oxygen side space (S ′) and the hydrogen side space (S ″) of the container (31) ( W) is electrolyzed into oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) through an ion-permeable partition wall (36),
With the electrolysis cell (39) stopped, oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) in the oxygen side space (S ′) and the hydrogen side space (S ″) are supplied to the power generation cell (41) and ion permeability is obtained. An electric power is generated by electrochemical reaction through the partition wall (36) of the regenerative fuel cell facility. The regenerative fuel cell facility according to claim 1 ,
The electrolysis unit cells (38) are connected in parallel to each other,
Each of the power generating single cells (40) is connected to each other in series, and the regenerative fuel cell facility. The regenerative fuel cell facility according to claim 1 ,
The oxygen storage unit (33) and the hydrogen storage unit (34)
A catalytic reactor (44, 45) for returning hydrogen (H) or oxygen (O) mixed in electrolyzed oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) to water (W);
Steam condensers (42, 43) for returning condensed water (W ′) generated while cooling the obtained oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) into the space (S) are provided. Renewable fuel cell equipment.

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