JP5033323B2 - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a fuel cell with a water treatment function for purifying water discharged from the fuel cell into high-purity water (referred to as high-purity water in the present invention) and supplying it again to a required portion of the fuel cell. The present invention relates to an added device (referred to as a fuel cell device in the present invention).

  The type of fuel cell depends on the type of electrolyte layer used in the fuel cell, phosphoric acid type (phosphoric acid electrolyte type), alkaline type (alkaline electrolyte type), solid polymer type (solid polymer electrolyte type), molten carbonate type As shown in FIG. 11, the fuel cell device 100 is divided into a solid oxide type, and a practical configuration of a phosphoric acid type and a solid polymer type is known, and a water treatment device is added to a solid polymer type fuel cell. Such a configuration (hereinafter referred to as the first prior art) is well known.

  In FIG. 11, a portion indicated by a double line is a flow path of a required fluid, for example, a pipe, and an arrow attached to one line of the double line indicates a direction in which the internal fluid flows. Moreover, the part drawn with the very thick line shows the cross section of the wall part, partition part, etc. of the tank which stores the fluid.

In the fuel cell device 100 of FIG. 11, the fuel 1 is, for example, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and the gas reforming unit 11 includes high-purity water supplied from the fuel 1 and the pure water storage tank 25. 23A, that is, the gas for generating water 15A is reacted to generate the reformed gas 11A mainly composed of hydrogen (H ₂ ) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ).

Unnecessary gas components generated during the generation are discharged to the outside as exhaust gas. Then, the generated reformed gas 11A is given to the fuel electrode 51 side of the fuel cell 50, and the condensed water 11B containing the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the gas reforming unit 11 is combined with the condensed water 13C described later along with the decarbonation unit 12. The condensed water after removing the carbon dioxide gas, that is, the decarbonized condensed water 11C flows into the condensed water storage tank 21 as the stored condensed water 21A.
In this configuration, a Raschig ring by a ring body having a vent hole in the side surface is used as the decarbonation unit 12.

  Since the exhaust fluid 13 on the fuel electrode side discharged after the reformed gas 11A contributes to the reaction for power generation (referred to as power generation reaction in this invention) on the fuel electrode 51 side contains moisture, Separated by the gas-liquid separation unit 13A, only the gas component 13B is given to the gas reforming unit 11 or the heating function part described later, and only the condensed water 13C condensed with water is decarboxylated unit 12 together with the condensed water 11B. Thus, the condensed condensed water 21A flows into the condensed water storage tank 21 like the decarboxylated condensed water 11C.

  The stored condensed water 21 </ b> A is sent to the high purity unit 23 by the pump 22, converted into the high purity water 23 </ b> A, and then stored in the pure water storage tank 25. The air electrode water 26A of the air electrode water storage tank 26 adjacent to the pure water storage tank 25 overflows with the high purity water 23A of the pure water storage tank 25, and the partition 25X provided between these tanks 25 and 26 The thing which got over the upper end is stored.

Here, when the amount of the high-purity water 23A in the pure water storage tank 25 is insufficient, the shortage is detected, and supply water 31 from the outside, for example, tap water, is supplied to the condensed water storage tank 21. It will be.
In the configuration of the first prior art, an ion exchange resin is used for the purification unit 23.

  In the case of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, it is necessary to keep the electrolyte layer 52 in a wet state. Therefore, humidified air 27B obtained by supplying air 27A and air electrode water 26A to the humidifying unit 27 is used as the fuel cell. 50 air electrodes 53, that is, the electrodes facing the fuel electrode 51 with the electrolyte layer 52 interposed therebetween.

  The exhaust fluid 28 on the air electrode side discharged after the humidified air 27B contributes to the power generation reaction on the air electrode 53 side contains a large amount of moisture. Only the condensed water 28C is returned to the air electrode water storage tank 26, and the air 28B is discharged to the outside.

  In addition, a heating function / heat exchange function for promoting the reaction in the gas reforming unit 11, a cooling function / heat exchange function for suppressing overheating of a part such as the fuel cell 50, etc. However, it is omitted in FIG.

  Here, in the fuel cell device 100 as described above, the condensed water 11B and 13C are referred to as “fuel-side condensed water” in the present invention, and depending on the configuration of each functional part on the fuel electrode 51 side, it does not depend on condensation. Although water may be contained in the condensed water 11B and 13C, in this case as well, it is referred to as “fuel-side condensed water”. Further, in the present invention, the condensed water 28C is referred to as “air-side condensed water”, and depending on the configuration of each functional part on the air electrode 53 side, water that is not condensed may be included in the condensed water 28C. However, in this case, it is also referred to as “air-side condensed water”.

  In the first prior art described above, an ion exchange resin layer is used for the high-purity portion 23. However, in such an ion exchange resin, if the resin adsorbs and saturates miscellaneous ions, it needs to be replaced with a new one. Inconvenience may occur in terms of handling and running costs.

For this reason, instead of the high-purification unit 23 using ion exchange resin, a configuration using a high-purification unit 23 using an electrodeionization apparatus in which cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes are alternately arranged (hereinafter referred to as the second conventional art). Technology) is well known.
JP, 2005-129334, A This patent documents 1 is indicating the composition of the 1st prior art mentioned above. The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, published on February 20, 2001 Electrical Engineering Handbook, pages 1885 to 1887 This Non-Patent Document 1 discloses the types of the above-mentioned fuel cells and the configuration of phosphoric acid fuel cell equipment. Technical Information Association Co., Ltd. Issued on November 26, 2003 The latest fuel cell member The state-of-the-art technology and reliability evaluation Page 149-Page 153 Yes.

  In the configuration of the first prior art described above, the capacity of the pure water purification function portion of the high purification unit 23, for example, the capacity of the ion exchange resin layer is made as small as possible to configure the apparatus in a small size, or adsorption saturation of miscellaneous ions. It is desired to provide a device with a long service life as much as possible, and even with the configuration of the second prior art described above, the capacity of the dewatering function portion is made as small as possible, and the overall configuration of the device is downsized. Therefore, it is desired to provide an apparatus simply and inexpensively.

  In addition, since the configurations of the first and second prior arts described above continue to circulate the air-side condensed water 28C as it is and supply it to the air electrode 53, the purity of the pure water due to the accumulation of impurities is increased. There is an inconvenience that the power generation capacity decreases due to the decrease, and there is a problem that it is desired to provide an apparatus that solves the inconvenience.

According to the present invention, the fuel-side condensed water discharged from the fuel electrode side component of the fuel cell and the air-side condensed water discharged from the air electrode side component of the fuel cell are highly purified. A high-purity water obtained by high-purification in the purification unit, a fuel cell device to which a water treatment function for supplying again to the component part on the fuel electrode side and the component part on the air electrode side is added,
An integrally forming means for integrally forming the air side storage tank for storing the air side condensed water and the fuel side storage tank for storing the fuel side condensed water adjacent to each other;
Air-side priority means for obtaining the high-purity water by preferentially purifying the air-side stored water that stores the air-side condensed water, rather than the fuel-side stored water that stores the fuel-side condensed water ;
With the the amount of water in the air-side stored water is reduced, and replenishing means for replenishing the fuel side condensed water decarbonated to the air side reservoir water,
The inside of the air-side storage tank is divided into a first tank part and a second tank part by a partition provided with a port passing downward, and air-side condensed water from the air electrode side is divided into the first tank part. The air-side stored water in the second tank part is stored in the second tank part by moving the air-side stored water introduced and stored from the upper part from the opening under the partition. Water level stabilization means for stabilizing the water level of
Water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the second tank portion of the air-side stored water based on the water level stabilized in the second tank portion by the water level stabilizing means ,
The fuel side storage tank and the air side storage tank are integrally formed in a state in which the fuel side storage tank and the first tank portion communicate with each other through a passage provided below the partition,
The passage is formed smaller than the passage below the partition that divides into the first tank portion and the second tank portion inside the air-side storage tank,
The fuel-side storage tank is configured such that fuel-side condensed water discharged from a fuel electrode-side component of the fuel cell is introduced,
A decarbonation unit is provided in the fuel-side storage tank, and the fuel-side condensed water is introduced from the upper side of the fuel-side storage tank, and air is introduced from the lower side of the fuel-side storage tank, A first configuration configured to perform the decarboxylation treatment by a bubble flow of the air ;

In addition to the first configuration described above,
The decarboxylation unit has a second configuration in which an air pipe into which air is sent from the outside and a blowout hole through which air in the air pipe blows out are provided below the fuel-side storage tank ,

In addition to the second configuration described above,
The decarboxylation unit is
By providing a meandering path that meanders in the vertical direction while repeating horizontal reciprocation, and by introducing the fuel side condensed water from the upper side of the meandering path, and by introducing air from the lower side of the meandering path, A third configuration comprising decarbonation means for performing the decarboxylation treatment by meandering a bubbly flow; and

In addition to the above first to third configurations,
A water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of fuel-side stored water storing the fuel-side condensed water, together with the water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of air-side stored water storing the air-side condensed water , and
On the basis of the detection, the decarbonized condensed water is replenished to the air-side stored water, or a replenishing means for replenishing a predetermined makeup water to the air-side stored water or the fuel-side stored water is provided. > Fourth configuration,

In the fuel-side storage tank, an overflow channel is formed which overflows to the outside when condensed water is stored to a height exceeding a certain liquid level.
An overflow channel is formed in the air-side storage tank so that the level of the condensed water stored in the second tank part is higher than the installation height of the overflow channel. And more
It solves the above problems.

  According to the present invention, as described above, the high-purity water obtained by preferentially purifying the air-side stored water in which the air-side condensed water is stored is again supplied to the fuel electrode side component and the air electrode side component. In principle, most of the air-side condensed water is high-purity water generated by the power generation reaction on the air electrode side, so even if the capacity of the high-purification function is reduced, Since the purity can be sufficiently increased, the apparatus can be made smaller and have a longer life.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide gas remains in the fuel-side condensate and becomes a load on the high-purity portion, so that decarbonation is required. For this reason, decarbonation treatment is performed by a bubbling air flow, and furthermore, decarbonation treatment is performed by a plurality of meandering paths meandering in a reciprocating manner. An effect is obtained.
However, the fuel side condensate has a higher purity than the air side condensate even if it is decarboxylated. Even if the control portion is made small, the effect of sufficiently high purity can be obtained.

  In addition, since the air-side condensate storage tank and the fuel-side condensate storage tank are integrated, the piping configuration between them can be eliminated to further reduce the size of the device and stabilize the water level. Since the amount of the air-side stored water is detected in the two tank portions, there is a feature that an effect such as prevention of detection hunting due to fluctuations in the water level can be obtained.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to Examples 1 to 5 of FIGS. 1 to 10, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 11 are parts having the same functions as those denoted by the same reference numerals described in FIG. 11, and are indicated by double lines in FIGS. The part indicated by one line of the double line, the part drawn by a very thick line, etc. are the same as in the case of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 differs from the configuration of the first prior art in FIG. 11 in the following places. First, the gas generation water 15A to be supplied to the gas reforming unit 11, that is, high-purity water 23A is supplied from the high-purification unit 23 as described later, and is supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In consideration of application, secondly, the reformed gas 11A given to the fuel electrode 51 side is humidified by supplying high-purity water 23A in the humidifying section 14 to obtain a humidified gas 11X close to a relative humidity of 100%. Thus, the power generation capacity is increased by giving the fuel electrode 51 side.

  Third, the fuel side storage tank 16 that stores the fuel side condensed water 11B and 13C as the fuel side stored water 16A and the air side storage tank 17 that stores the air side condensed water 28C as the air side stored water 17A are integrated. The united tank 20 is formed and the air-side storage tank 17 is divided into a first tank part 17B and a second tank part 17C by a partition 17X provided with a port 17Y.

  Fourth, the air-side stored water 17A of the first tank part 17B is moved from the port 17Y to the second tank part 17C and stored, so that the air-side condensed water 28C, high-purity water 23A and makeup water described later are stored. This prevents the water level 17L of the air-side stored water 17A from fluctuating due to the insertion of 31. Note that the makeup water 31 may be modified so as to enter the fuel-side storage tank 16.

  Fifthly, as a water amount detection unit 18A for detecting that the amount of water in the air-side stored water 17A has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, for example, a float 18A1 and a lead described with reference to FIGS. By providing a detection unit with the switch 18A21, the control unit 18B controls the water supply valve based on a signal that detects that the water amount of the air-side stored water 17A is equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit amount, for example, the water level 17L is equal to or lower than the predetermined lower limit water level. 18D is controlled to replenish makeup water 31, for example, tap water, the water amount detector 18A reaches a predetermined upper limit water amount, for example, the water surface 17S of the air-side stored water 17A reaches the overflow channel 17W, and the water level 17L When this happens, the water supply valve 18D is closed.

  Sixth, a passage 16W is provided below a partition 16Z between the fuel-side storage tank 16 and the air-side storage tank 17, and the passage 16W is made smaller than the passage 17Y by making the passage 16W smaller than the passage 17Y. While increasing the flow resistance, the height of the overflow path 16Y of the fuel-side storage tank 16 is set lower than the height of the overflow path 17W of the air-side storage tank 17, so that the fuel side is closer to the water surface 17S of the air-side storage water 17A. The water surface 16S of the stored water 16A is configured to be low.

  By comprising in this way, normally, the air side stored water 17A of the 1st tank part 17B flows in into the 2nd tank part 17C, and the air side stored water 17A preferentially passes through the pump 22, and is highly purified part. 23 and supplied as high-purity water 23A, and the fuel-side stored water 16A flows out of the overflow channel 16Y. When the air-side stored water 17A decreases, the fuel-side stored water 16A decreases with the decrease. The decarboxylated condensed water 11C on the bottom side of the water flows into the first tank portion 17B side from the passage 16W, is replenished to the air-side stored water 17A, and is supplied to the high-purification unit 23 via the pump 22 to provide high-purity water. 23A is performed.

  Seventh, the fuel-side condensate water 11B and 13C are introduced into the fuel-side storage tank 16 from the upper side, and the air 16C is introduced from the lower side to create the bubble flow 16C3, thereby producing the fuel-side condensate water 11B.・ Decarbonation of 13C is performed.

  Specifically, an air pipe 16C1 provided with a large number of blowing holes 16C2 for blowing air 16C is arranged on the bottom side of the fuel-side storage tank 16, and the air flow 16C is fed into the air pipe 16C1 to generate a bubble flow 16C3. I am letting. The bubble flow 16C3 is drawn with a thick dotted line for the sake of illustration, but fine bubbles are uniformly diffused inside the fuel-side stored water 16A.

Eighth, the remaining high-purity water 23A obtained by supplying the high-purity water 23A from the high-purification section 23 to the gas reforming section 11, the humidification section 14, and the humidification section 27 is used as the first tank portion of the air-side storage tank 17. It is put back to 17B. By adjusting the amount of water to be returned to, for example, a control valve provided at a branch point 23X, which will be described later, to adjust the amount of water flow to the high-purification unit 23 to an appropriate amount, piping for high-purity water The generation of microorganisms on the road can be suppressed.

  Further, the high-purity section 23 is provided with a high-purity function using an ion exchange resin or a high-purity function using an electrodeionization apparatus in which a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane are alternately arranged. Yes.

  Here, although not shown, appropriate on-off valves, flow rate control valves, and the like are arranged at the diversion points 23X for supplying the high-purity water 23A to each part, and these valves are used for power generation of the fuel cell 50. The operation is related to the operation.

  In addition, a heating function / heat exchange function for promoting the reaction in the gas reforming unit 11, a cooling function / heat exchange function for suppressing overheating of a part such as the fuel cell 50, etc. However, it is omitted as in the case of FIG.

  Hereinafter, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In Example 2, the part of the coalescence tank 20 of Example 1 in FIG. 1 is changed as shown in FIG. 2, and the parts different from the configuration of Example 1 are the following parts.

  First, first, the air-side storage tank 17 is constituted by one tank, and instead, the fuel-side storage tank 16 and the first tank portion 16D and the second tank 16R are separated by a partition 16R provided with a port 16U. The tank is divided into the tank portion 16E, and the fuel-side condensate 11B and 13C are stored in the first tank portion 16D through the fuel-side stored water 16A and stored in the second tank portion 16E through the port 16U. Yes.

  Secondly, the flow resistance at the passage port 16W is increased by making the passage port 16W smaller than the passage port 16U, and normally, the fuel-side stored water 16A of the first tank portion 16D is transferred to the second tank portion 16E. It flows in and flows out from the overflow channel 16Y, and the air-side stored water 17A is preferentially supplied to the high-purification section 23 via the pump 22 and supplied as high-purity water 23A.

  However, when the air-side stored water 17A decreases, the decarboxylated condensed water 11C on the bottom side of the fuel-side stored water 16A flows into the air-side storage tank 17 side from the passage port 16W along with the decrease. The side stored water 17A is replenished and supplied to the high purity unit 23 via the pump 22 so as to be converted into the high purity water 23A.

  Third, the water amount detection unit 18A is provided on the second tank portion 16E side, and the water supply valve 18D is controlled based on the amount of the fuel-side stored water 16A in the second tank portion 16E, for example, the water level 16L. Although the water level 16L is apparently lower than the water level 17L in FIG. 1, if the detection position at the predetermined lower limit water amount of the air-side stored water 17A is the same, as in the case of Example 1, That is, the operation of detecting the amount of water in the air-side stored water 17A is performed.

  The third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In Example 3, the part of the coalescence tank 20 of Example 1 in FIG. 1 is changed as shown in FIG. 3, and the part different from the configuration of Example 1 is the following part.

  First, the air-side storage tank 17 is composed of a single tank, and the water amount detection unit 18A is composed of a detection unit that detects the amount of water by water pressure, that is, a pressure sensor 18X, for example, a commercially available semiconductor pressure sensor. ing.

  In FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 18 </ b> X is disposed on the air-side reservoir 17 </ b> A side of the partition 16 </ b> Z, but any one of the air-side reservoir 17 and the fuel-side reservoir 16 as long as it is below the united tank 20. It goes without saying that the wall or bottom of the wall can be used.

  Hereinafter, Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the portion of the fuel-side storage tank 16 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is changed as shown in FIG. 4, and the portions different from the configuration of the first embodiment are as follows.

  First, by providing the difference shelf plate-like guide plates 16X that are alternately arranged on the left and right sides as shown in the drawing inside the fuel-side condensate water storage tank 16, the vertical direction is repeated while reciprocating in the horizontal direction. A meandering path 16B meandering in the direction is formed.

  Secondly, the fuel side condensed water 11B and 13C are introduced from the upper side of the meandering path 16B, and the air 16C is introduced from the lower side of the meandering path 16B, thereby forming a serpentine shape in the fuel side stored water 16A. By making the bubbly flow 16C3, the decarbonation of the fuel side condensed water 11B and 13C is performed. The mechanism for generating the bubbles of the bubble flow 16C3 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The fifth embodiment is a specific configuration example of the fuel side storage tank 16 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are in a state in which each condensed water is not put inside, and FIGS. 7 to 10 are cross-sectional views of the points 1 to 2 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. The state which put the condensed water is shown, and the location which made the spot in FIGS. 7-10 has shown the cross-sectional part of each condensed water.

  Here, in the case of the fifth embodiment, in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the portion described as the on-off valve 18C (passage port 16W) does not have the on-off valve 18C, In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the reed switch 18A21 is not arranged in the middle of the three upper, middle, and lower positions.

  The coalescence tank 20 is divided into a hexagonal outer shell 20A by a T-shaped partition 20B in a horizontal plane, so that the fuel tank 16 and the first tank portion 17B of the air reservoir 17 are provided. Sorted into three sections with the second tank portion 17C.

  The portion of the water amount detection unit 18A is installed by being inserted into a hole provided on the upper surface side of the outer shell 20A, and can be taken out integrally with the mounting lid 18A3 by removing the mounting screw of the mounting lid 18A3.

  The water amount detection unit 18A has a permanent magnet 18A11 disposed on the column tube 18A2 side of the float 18A1 that is guided by the column column 18A2 in the vertical direction and can freely move up and down, and a reed switch 18A21 is disposed inside the column tube 18A2. Thus, the float 18A1 is moved up and down with the change in the water level 17L.

  When the permanent magnet 18A11 comes to the position of the reed switch 18A21, the reed switch 18A21 is closed by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 18A11 so that a detection signal can be obtained. For example, the upper reed switch 18A21 When the detection signal is closed, the water supply valve 18D is closed and the supply of the makeup water 31 is stopped, and when the lower reed switch 18A21 is closed, the supply water valve 18D is opened and the makeup water 31 is supplied. .

  The sixth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration of the first to fifth embodiments described above is changed so as to control the supply of the fuel-side stored water 16A to the air-side stored water 17A by the water amount detection unit 18A. .

  Here, in the case of the sixth embodiment, in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the opening / closing valve 18 </ b> C (the passage 16 </ b> W) is provided with the opening / closing valve 18 </ b> C. 7. In FIG. 8, the reed switch 18A21 is arranged at three locations, upper, middle, and lower.

  When the detection signal indicates that the reed switch 18A21 at the upper position is closed, the on-off valve 18C is closed to prevent the fuel-side stored water 16A from flowing toward the air-side stored water 17A, and the reed switch 18A21 at an intermediate position. When the detection signal is closed, the on-off valve 18C is opened to cause the fuel-side stored water 16A to flow toward the air-side stored water 17A so that the fuel-side stored water 16A is replenished to the air-side stored water 17A. To do.

That is, the configurations of the first to sixth embodiments described above generally include:
Fuel-side condensed water 11B and 13C discharged from the components on the fuel electrode 51 side of the fuel cell 50 and air-side condensed water 28C discharged from the components on the air electrode 53 side of the fuel cell 50, for example, The water purification function for supplying the high purity water 23A obtained by the high purity in the high purity unit 23 to the component part on the fuel electrode 51 side and the component part on the air 63 pole side again. In the added fuel cell device 100,
Air-side priority means for preferentially purifying the air-side stored water 17A storing the air-side condensed water 28C to obtain the high-purity water 23A;
As the amount of water in the air-side stored water 23A decreases, for example, the fuel-side condensed water decarboxylated in the decarboxylation unit 12, that is, the decarbonized condensed water 11C is converted into the air-side stored water 17A. The above-described first configuration provided with the replenishing means for replenishing is constituted.

Secondly, in addition to the first configuration described above,
The air-side storage tank 17 that stores the air-side condensed water 28C and the fuel-side storage tank 16 that stores the fuel-side condensed water 11B and 13C are adjacent to each other, for example, as a united tank 20, Integral forming means for forming;
The above-mentioned fuel-side condensed water 11B and 13C are introduced from the upper side of the fuel-side storage tank 16, and the air 16C is introduced from the lower side of the fuel-side storage tank 16, whereby the bubbles of the air 16C are obtained. The above-described second configuration is provided, which includes the decarbonation means for performing the above-described decarboxylation treatment by the flow 16C3.

Thirdly, in addition to the second configuration described above,
A meandering path 16B that meanders in the vertical direction while repeating the reciprocation in the horizontal direction is provided, and the fuel side condensed water 11B and 13C are introduced from the upper side of the meandering path 16B, and the lower side of the meandering path 16B. By introducing air 16C from the above, the above-described third configuration is provided in which the decarbonation means for performing the above-described decarboxylation treatment by meandering the bubble flow 16C3 is provided.

Fourth, in addition to the first to third configurations described above,
A water amount detecting means for detecting the water amount of the air-side stored water 17A storing the air-side condensed water 28C or the water amount of the fuel-side stored water 16A storing the fuel-side condensed water 11B and 13C;
Based on the detection, the decarboxylated condensed water 11C is supplied to the air-side stored water 28C, or the predetermined supply water 31 is supplied to the air-side stored water 28C or the fuel-side stored water 16A. The above-described fourth configuration is provided, which includes a replenishing means for replenishing.

Fifth, in addition to the fourth configuration described above,
The first tank portion 17B and 16D and the second tank portion 17C and the second tank portion 17C are formed by partitions 17X and 16R that pass through the inside of the air-side storage tank 17 or the fuel-side storage tank 16 and have openings 17Y and 16U. 16E, and the air-side stored water 17A or the fuel-side stored water 16A stored in the first tank portions 17B and 16D is moved from the passages 17Y and 16U to move the second Water level stabilization means for stabilizing the water level 17L and 16L of the air-side stored water 17A or the fuel-side stored water 16A in the second tank portions 17C and 16E by storing in the tank portions 17C and 16E;
The fifth structure is provided with the water amount detecting means for detecting the water amount of the air-side stored water 17A based on the water levels 17L and 16L.

[Modification]
The present invention includes the following modifications.
(1) The configuration of the first to sixth embodiments is applied to the configuration of the first prior art or the second prior art.
(2) In the configurations of Examples 1 to 6, a high-purity water storage tank that stores the high-purity water 23A is provided between the high-purification unit 23 and the diversion point 23X, and the high-purity temporarily stored The water 23A is changed to be supplied to the branch point 23X by a pump.
(3) In the configuration of (2), the remaining high-purity water 23A is changed to be stored in the high-purity water storage tank without being returned to the air-side storage tank 17.
(4) In the configurations of the fifth and sixth embodiments, a flow path for introducing the fuel side condensed water 11B into the fuel side storage tank 16 and a flow path for introducing the fuel side condensed water 13C into the fuel side storage tank 16 are provided. As in the configurations of the first to fourth embodiments, the configuration is changed so as to be divided into separate flow paths.
(5) In the configurations of the fifth and sixth embodiments, the arrangement positions of the fuel-side storage tank 16 and the first tank portion 17B and the second tank portion 17C of the air-side storage tank 17 in the plane are changed to the front, rear, left and right. Are arbitrarily replaced.
(6) In the configuration of Example 5 and Example 6, the arrangement positions of the air tank 17 with the first tank part 17B and the second tank part 17C are the same as those of Example 1, Example 2, and Example 4. In addition, the arrangement is changed to a horizontal arrangement.
(7) The configurations of Examples 1 to 6 and the configurations of (1) to (6) above are different types of fuel cells, that is, phosphoric acid type, alkaline type, molten carbonate type, solid oxide type, etc. Apply to configure.

  As described above, the present invention has an effect that it can contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the high-purity functional part in the fuel cell device, so that not only the fuel cell device but also the combined heat and power using the fuel cell device. A similar effect can be achieved by applying to a device (cogeneration device) and a fuel cell vehicle.

1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows a prior art. The contents of each figure are as follows.
Whole block block diagram of Example 1 Block diagram of main part of embodiment 2 Block diagram of main part of embodiment 3 Overall block configuration diagram of Embodiment 4 Main part configuration plan view of Example 5 and Example 6 Main part configuration front view of Example 5 and Example 6 Main part configuration longitudinal sectional view of Example 5 and Example 6 Main part configuration longitudinal sectional view of Example 5 and Example 6 Main part configuration longitudinal sectional view of Example 5 and Example 6 Cross-sectional view of essential parts of Example 5 and Example 6 Overall block diagram of the prior art

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel 11 Gas reforming part 11A Reformed gas 11B Fuel side condensed water 11C Decarbonated condensed water 11D Exhaust gas 11X Humidified gas 12 Decarbonized part 13 Exhaust fluid 13A Gas-liquid separation part 13B Gas component 13C Fuel side condensed water 14 Humidifying part 15A Gas generation water 16 Fuel side storage tank 16A Fuel side storage water 16B Meandering path 16C Air 16C3 Bubble flow 16D First tank part 16E Second tank part 16L Water level 16R Partition 16S Water surface 16X Guide plate 16U Passage 16W Passage 16X Passage 16Y Overflow channel 16Z Partition 17 Air-side storage tank 17A Air-side storage water 17B First tank part 17C Second tank part 17L Water level 17S Water surface 17W Overflow path 17X Partition 17Y Passage 18A Water quantity detection part 18A1 Float 18A2 Strut pipe 18A11 Permanent magnet 18A21 Permanent magnet 18A21 Switch 1 8A3 Mounting lid 18B Control unit 18D Water supply valve 18X Pressure sensor 20 Combined tank 20A Outer shell 20B T-shaped partition 21 Condensed water storage tank 21A Reserved condensed water 22 Pump 23 High purity section 23A High purity water 23X Dividing point 25 Pure water storage Tank 25X Partition 26 Air electrode water storage tank 26A Air electrode water 27 Humidifier 27A Air 27B Humid air 28 Exhaust fluid 28A Gas-liquid separator 28B Air 28C Air side condensed water 31 Replenishment water 50 Fuel cell 51 Fuel electrode side 52 Electrolyte layer 53 Air electrode 100 Fuel cell device

Claims (5)

Obtained by purifying the fuel side condensed water discharged from the fuel electrode side component of the fuel cell and the air side condensed water discharged from the air electrode side component of the fuel cell in the high purity unit. A high-purity water to be supplied again to the fuel electrode side component and the air electrode side component.
An integrally forming means for integrally forming the air side storage tank for storing the air side condensed water and the fuel side storage tank for storing the fuel side condensed water adjacent to each other;
Air-side priority means for obtaining the high-purity water by preferentially purifying the air-side stored water that stores the air-side condensed water, rather than the fuel-side stored water that stores the fuel-side condensed water ;
With the the amount of water in the air-side stored water is reduced, and replenishing means for replenishing the fuel side condensed water decarbonated to the air side reservoir water,
The inside of the air-side storage tank is divided into a first tank part and a second tank part by a partition provided with a port passing downward, and air-side condensed water from the air electrode side is divided into the first tank part. The air-side stored water in the second tank part is stored in the second tank part by moving the air-side stored water introduced and stored from the upper part from the opening under the partition. Water level stabilization means for stabilizing the water level of
Water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the second tank portion of the air-side stored water based on the water level stabilized in the second tank portion by the water level stabilizing means ,
The fuel side storage tank and the air side storage tank are integrally formed in a state in which the fuel side storage tank and the first tank portion communicate with each other through a passage provided below the partition,
The passage is formed smaller than the passage below the partition that divides into the first tank portion and the second tank portion inside the air-side storage tank,
The fuel-side storage tank is configured such that fuel-side condensed water discharged from a fuel electrode-side component of the fuel cell is introduced,
A decarbonation unit is provided in the fuel-side storage tank, and the fuel-side condensed water is introduced from the upper side of the fuel-side storage tank, and air is introduced from the lower side of the fuel-side storage tank, A fuel cell device configured to perform the decarbonation treatment by the bubble flow of air . 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the decarbonation unit includes an air pipe into which air is sent from the outside and a blowout hole through which air in the air pipe blows out in the fuel side storage tank. . The decarboxylation unit is
By providing a meandering path that meanders in the vertical direction while repeating horizontal reciprocation, and by introducing the fuel side condensed water from the upper side of the meandering path, and by introducing air from the lower side of the meandering path, the fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the by meandering bubbles flow comprises a decarboxylation means for performing the decarboxylation process. A water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of fuel-side stored water storing the fuel-side condensed water, together with the water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of air-side stored water storing the air-side condensed water , and
On the basis of the detection, the decarboxylated condensed water is replenished to the air-side stored water, or a replenishment means for replenishing predetermined replenished water to the air-side stored water or the fuel-side stored water is provided. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 . In the fuel-side storage tank, an overflow channel is formed which overflows to the outside when condensed water is stored to a height exceeding a certain liquid level.
In the air-side storage tank, an overflow channel is formed at a constant height where the level of condensed water stored in the second tank part is higher than the installation height of the overflow channel,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 .

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