JP5153359B2 - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device comprising a fuel cell, a reformer for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, and a raw fuel gas supply device for supplying raw fuel gas to the reformer. .

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a fuel cell module containing a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using hydrogen-containing gas and oxygen-containing gas (usually air), and supply to the fuel cells A reformer for generating a hydrogen-containing gas to be produced and auxiliary equipment such as a raw fuel gas supply device for supplying raw fuel gas (hydrocarbon gas) to the reformer are housed in an outer case. Various fuel cell devices have been proposed.

  Here, for example, when the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell, it is known to use a hydrocarbon gas such as city gas as the raw fuel gas, and the hydrogen-containing gas generated from the hydrocarbon gas is used as the fuel cell. The fuel cell system can obtain a high energy efficiency as a whole by using the thermal energy generated at the same time for hot water supply while generating electricity by chemically reacting with oxygen.

  By the way, in supplying raw fuel gas (city gas or the like) to the reformer, many configuration examples of the fuel supply device are shown (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

FIG. 5 shows an example of such a conventional fuel cell device. As the raw fuel gas supply device 61 for supplying the raw fuel gas to the reformer 53, a raw fuel gas supply is shown. A supply pressure regulator 55 such as a solenoid valve 57, a desulfurizer 56, a gas pump 54, and a relief valve, which is a kind of means, is connected by a raw fuel gas supply pipe 62 in order. Further, a blower 63 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas (air) is connected to the raw fuel gas supply pipe 62 between the supply pressure regulator 55 and the reformer 53. When reforming or autothermal reforming is performed, the reforming reaction is performed using the air supplied from the blower 63.
JP 2006-278119 A JP 2007-77019 A

  By the way, when a fuel cell device equipped with such a raw fuel gas supply device is installed outdoors and start-up is started (main operation), or when a restart is performed, the members constituting the raw fuel gas supply device One raw fuel gas supply means (solenoid valve or the like) may not be opened, and raw fuel gas may not be supplied.

  This is particularly when the outside temperature is low (for example, 10 ° C. or less) when the fuel cell device is stopped after the trial operation before the actual operation of the fuel cell device is stopped, or when the operation of the fuel cell device is stopped. In addition, when the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe constituting the raw fuel gas supply device is adsorbed to the desulfurizer (desulfurization catalyst), a negative pressure is generated between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator such as a relief valve. Therefore, it is considered that even if the raw fuel gas supply means is controlled to be opened, the solenoid valve is not opened.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides a fuel cell device that can open (or prevent) the supply of raw fuel gas by opening the raw fuel gas supply means when starting or restarting the fuel cell. For the purpose.

The fuel cell of the present invention includes a fuel cell module in which a fuel cell is accommodated, a reformer for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, and a reformer for the fuel cell. A fuel cell device comprising a raw fuel gas supply device for supplying raw fuel gas and an outside air temperature sensor for measuring an outside air temperature , wherein the raw fuel gas supply device is a raw fuel gas supply source A raw fuel gas supply means for supplying raw fuel gas supplied from the fuel, a desulfurizer for removing sulfur in the raw fuel gas, a gas pump for pumping the desulfurized raw fuel gas, and a pump A supply pressure regulator for adjusting the supply pressure of the raw fuel gas is connected in this order through the raw fuel gas supply pipe, and a negative pressure is provided between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator. comprising a negative pressure suppression means for suppressing the The negative pressure suppression means is a heat source for increasing the temperature of the desulfurizer, and controls to operate the heat source when the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature or lower. A control device is provided .

  In such a fuel cell device, since the negative pressure suppression means for suppressing the negative pressure between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator is provided, the fuel cell device is started or restarted. , It is possible to suppress (prevent) the raw fuel gas supply means from being opened, and to suppress (prevent) the raw fuel gas from not being supplied.

  In such a fuel cell device, a heat source for increasing the temperature of the desulfurizer is provided as a negative pressure suppression means, so that the temperature of the desulfurizer is increased by operating the heat source when the outside air temperature is low. Can be made.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe from being adsorbed to the desulfurizer (desulfurization catalyst), and it is possible to remove the raw fuel gas adsorbed to the desulfurization catalyst from the desulfurization catalyst. . Thereby, it can suppress that between a desulfurizer and a supply pressure regulator becomes a negative pressure.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress (prevent) the raw fuel gas supply means from being opened when starting or restarting the fuel cell device, and to suppress (prevent) the raw fuel gas from not being supplied.

  In such a fuel cell device, the desulfurizer is efficiently warmed because the fuel cell device includes a control device that controls the heat source provided in the desulfurizer to operate based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor. be able to. As a result, the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe can be prevented from adsorbing to the desulfurizer (desulfurization catalyst), and the raw fuel gas adsorbed to the desulfurization catalyst can be removed from the desulfurization catalyst. Since the negative pressure between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator can be suppressed, it is possible to suppress (prevent) the electromagnetic valve from being opened at the time of starting or restarting the fuel cell device.

The fuel cell device of the present invention further includes a temperature sensor in the desulfurizer, and the control device is configured to provide the heat source when the temperature of the desulfurizer measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. It is preferable to control so as to stop .

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, the supply pressure regulator also serves as the negative pressure suppression means, and the raw fuel gas between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator when the fuel cell device is stopped. It is preferable that a degassing unit for degassing the raw fuel gas remaining in the supply pipe is provided.

  In such a fuel cell device, when the fuel cell device is stopped, the raw fuel gas between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator is removed from the deaeration unit provided in the supply pressure regulator that also serves as a negative pressure suppression means. The raw fuel gas remaining in the supply pipe can be degassed.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress negative pressure between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator, thereby suppressing (preventing) that the raw fuel gas supply means is not opened when the fuel cell device is started or restarted. And the raw fuel gas is not supplied (suppressed).

A fuel cell device according to the present invention includes a fuel cell module containing fuel cells, a reformer for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cells, and a fuel for supplying raw fuel gas to the reformer. The fuel gas supply device includes a raw fuel gas supply means for supplying a raw fuel gas supplied from a raw fuel gas supply source, and a sulfur for removing sulfur in the raw fuel gas. A desulfurizer, a gas pump for pumping the desulfurized raw fuel gas, and a supply pressure regulator capable of lowering the supply pressure of the pumped raw fuel gas below the original pressure of the raw fuel gas supply source, Since the raw fuel gas supply pipe is connected in this order, and is provided with negative pressure suppression means for suppressing negative pressure between the desulfurizer and the supply pressure regulator, the fuel cell device Solenoid valve opens at start-up or restart It can be suppressed (prevented) the not so, the raw fuel gas can be suppressed to not supplied (prevention). Moreover, since the heat source for raising the temperature of the desulfurizer is provided as the negative pressure suppressing means, the temperature of the desulfurizer can be raised by operating the heat source when the outside air temperature is low. Moreover, since the control apparatus which controls to operate the heat source provided in the desulfurizer based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor is provided, the desulfurizer can be warmed efficiently.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell device of the present invention. The fuel cell device is arranged in a storage container with columnar fuel cells having gas flow paths through which gas flows, and is electrically connected between adjacent fuel cells via a current collecting member. And a reformer for supplying a hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel cell, and a cell stack 1 in which the lower end of the fuel cell is fixed to the manifold with an insulating bonding material such as a glass sealant 3 and a fuel cell module 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as module 2), and a raw fuel gas supply device 11 for supplying raw fuel gas to the reformer 3. Yes. In the following drawings, the same number is assigned to the same configuration.

  The raw fuel gas supply device 11 includes two raw fuel gas supply means 7, a desulfurizer 6, a gas flow meter 8, a buffer from a raw fuel gas (hydrocarbon gas) supply source side via a raw fuel gas supply pipe 12. 9, a gas pump 4 and a supply pressure regulator 5 are connected in this order by a raw fuel gas supply pipe 12, and the raw fuel gas supply device 11 is connected to the reformer 3. Hereinafter, each member which comprises the raw fuel gas supply apparatus 11 is demonstrated first.

  The raw fuel gas supply means 7 may be any means that can supply the raw fuel gas supplied from the raw fuel gas supply source, and examples thereof include an electromagnetic valve and an air valve. In the following description, a case where an electromagnetic valve is used as the raw fuel gas supply means is shown. Hereinafter, the raw fuel gas supply means 7 will be described as the electromagnetic valve 7 unless otherwise specified.

  The desulfurizer 6 is for removing sulfur contained in the raw fuel gas supplied from the raw fuel gas supply source, and a container having a desulfurization catalyst inside can be used. Thereby, sulfur which is an impurity of raw fuel gas can be removed.

  The gas flow meter 8 is for measuring the flow rate of the raw fuel gas (desulfurized raw fuel gas) flowing through the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12. The gas pump 4 pumps the desulfurized raw fuel gas, the pulsation is suppressed by the buffer 9, and the raw fuel gas having a constant flow rate can be supplied to the reformer 3.

  The raw fuel gas supplied to the reformer 3 by the gas pump 4 is supplied to the reformer 3 after the supply pressure is adjusted by a relief valve which is a kind of the supply pressure adjuster 5. In the following description, a case where a relief valve is used as the supply pressure regulator 5 is shown. Hereinafter, the supply pressure regulator 5 will be described as the relief valve 5 unless otherwise specified. As the supply pressure regulator 5, a check valve can be used, and both a relief valve and a check valve can be used.

  The relief valve 5 is set to open at a pressure larger than the gas pressure on the raw fuel gas supply side (upstream side). That is, by operating the gas pump 4 and discharging the raw fuel gas supplied from the raw fuel gas supply source, a pressure larger than the gas source pressure is applied to the relief valve 5, thereby opening the relief valve 5. Raw fuel gas will flow. As a result, the raw fuel gas can be supplied at a low flow rate.

  In addition, when raw fuel gas is city gas, since the original pressure of city gas is 1.5-3.0 kPa, as the pressure which the relief valve 5 opens, it can be set, for example as 3.5-6 kPa. . The relief valve 5 can also be controlled by the power generation amount of the fuel battery cell. For example, when the power generation amount of the fuel battery cell is large, the necessary amount of raw fuel is adjusted by adjusting the pressure setting of the relief valve 5. Gas can be supplied to the reformer 3 side.

  The gas pump 4 pressurizes and feeds the raw fuel gas supplied from the raw fuel gas supply source to the reformer 3 side, and a diaphragm type gas pump 4 is generally used. However, since this diaphragm pump pumps the raw fuel gas by the reciprocating motion of the diaphragm in the cylinder, the pulsation is likely to occur.

  Therefore, the pulsation of the raw fuel gas supplied by the gas pump 4 can be attenuated by providing the buffer 9 that is a space having a constant volume on the upstream side of the gas pump 4. In addition, the buffer 9 may have a constant volume space by using a member having a constant volume space, or by thickening a part of the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12.

  Then, the pulsation of the gas pump 4 is attenuated by the buffer 9 so that the gas flow meter 8 can appropriately measure the flow rate of the raw fuel gas. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the buffer 9 at a position farther than the relief valve 5 in order to suppress the influence of the operation of the relief valve 5. In the fuel cell device shown in FIG. 1, the desulfurizer 6 and the gas pump are provided. 4 is provided in the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 connected to the

  The flow rate information of the raw fuel gas measured by the gas flow meter 8 is transmitted to the control device 10, and the control device 10 uses the gas pump so that the raw fuel gas amount required for the reforming reaction in the reformer 3 is obtained. 4 operation is controlled. That is, when the amount of raw fuel gas required by the reformer 3 is compared with the amount of raw fuel gas flowing through the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12, and the amount of raw fuel gas flowing through the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 is small When the gas pump 4 is controlled to increase the raw fuel gas supplied by the gas pump 4 and the raw fuel gas amount flowing through the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 is large, the raw fuel gas amount supplied by the gas pump 4 is The gas pump 4 is controlled so as to decrease.

  Various fuel cells are known as the fuel cells constituting the cell stack 1. However, when the fuel cell device is reduced in size, it can be a solid oxide fuel cell. As a result, in addition to the fuel cell, auxiliary equipment necessary for the operation of the fuel cell can be reduced in size, and the fuel cell device can be reduced in size. At the same time, it is possible to perform a load following operation that follows a fluctuating load required for a household fuel cell.

  Further, in the present invention, the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell having high power generation efficiency, so that when the power consumption is low at night or the like, the power consumption is sufficiently covered by the low flow rate raw fuel gas. Therefore, it is particularly useful in the fuel cell device of the present invention that can be controlled to supply a raw fuel gas with a low flow rate. In the following description, the fuel cell is described as a solid oxide fuel cell.

  In addition, although the fuel cell of various shapes can be used as a shape of a fuel cell, when performing electric power generation of a fuel cell efficiently, it can be set as a hollow plate type fuel cell. As such a hollow plate type fuel cell, a fuel plate support type hollow plate type fuel cell in which a fuel electrode is formed inside and an oxygen electrode formed outside can be used.

  The fuel battery cell (cell stack 1) generates power using the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer 3 and the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the outside of the storage container. The surplus hydrogen-containing gas in power generation is combusted with the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the outside of the storage container above the fuel cell, so that the reformer 3 disposed above the fuel cell. Can be heated, whereby the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently.

  The reformer 3 can perform any of partial oxidation reforming, autothermal reforming, and steam reforming. However, when performing partial oxidation reforming or autothermal reforming, the reformer 3 It is necessary to supply an oxygen-containing gas. Here, in FIG. 1, a blower 14 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the reformer 3 is connected to a raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 between the reformer 3 and the supply pressure regulator 5.

  Thereby, since the oxygen-containing gas can be supplied to the reformer 3, the reformer 3 can perform partial oxidation reforming or autothermal reforming. The oxygen-containing gas supplied from the blower 14 is controlled by the supply pressure regulator 5 so that it does not flow to the upstream side (desulfurizer 6 side) of the raw fuel gas supply device 11.

  And by accommodating these each structural member in an exterior case, it can be set as the fuel cell apparatus of this invention.

  By the way, the raw fuel gas supply device 11 is configured when the fuel cell device including the raw fuel gas supply device 11 is installed outdoors and starts (actually starts) or restarts. In some cases, the electromagnetic valve 7 (raw fuel gas supply means) which is one of the members is not opened, and the raw fuel gas cannot be supplied to the reformer 3.

  This is because, particularly when the outside air temperature is low, when the fuel cell device is stopped after the trial operation before the actual operation of the fuel cell device is stopped, or when the operation of the fuel cell device is stopped, the raw fuel gas supply device 11 When the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 (between the desulfurizer 6 and the relief valve 5) is adsorbed by the desulfurization catalyst filled in the desulfurizer 6, the relief valve is removed from the desulfurizer 6. This is considered to be because the electromagnetic valve 7 is not opened even when the pressure of 5 is lowered and control is performed to open the electromagnetic valve 7. Note that a pressure gauge is provided between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5, and it is possible to determine whether or not a negative pressure is generated by detecting the pressure.

  Therefore, the fuel cell device of the present invention is provided with negative pressure suppression means for suppressing negative pressure between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5. Thereby, it is possible to suppress (prevent) the solenoid valve 7 (raw fuel gas supply means) from being opened at the time of starting or restarting the fuel cell device, and to suppress (prevent) the supply of the raw fuel gas. can do.

  Here, in FIG. 1, the example provided with the heat source 13 for raising the temperature of the desulfurizer 6 as a negative pressure suppression means is shown. As the heat source 13 for raising the temperature of the desulfurizer 6, for example, a heater, a burner or the like can be used. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a heater is provided on the surface of the desulfurizer 6.

  Thereby, when the outside air temperature is low (for example, 10 ° C. or less), the temperature of the desulfurizer 6 can be increased by operating the heat source 13, and the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 is increased. Adsorption to the desulfurizer (desulfurization catalyst) can be suppressed (raw fuel gas adsorbed to the desulfurization catalyst can be removed).

  As a result, the negative pressure between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5 can be suppressed, and the electromagnetic valve 7 (raw fuel gas supply means) is opened when the fuel cell device is started or restarted. The fuel gas can be supplied to the reformer 3, and the fuel cell device can be started up efficiently.

  FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the fuel cell device 15 according to the present invention, in which the side portion constituting the outer case 16 is removed so that the inside of the outer case 16 can be seen. 2 shows a case where the raw fuel gas supply device 11 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the fuel cell device 15 includes a partition member 17 in an outer case 16, and a fuel cell module storage chamber 18 (hereinafter abbreviated as a module storage chamber) in which the module 2 is disposed above the partition member 17. Is formed. Further, auxiliary equipment necessary for operating the module 2 (in FIG. 1, a raw fuel gas supply device 11 and a blower 20 for supplying oxygen-containing gas (air) into the module 2 are provided below the partition member 17. A heat exchanger 21 for exchanging heat between the exhaust gas and water of the module 2 is shown.) An auxiliary machine storage chamber 19 for storing the heat exchanger 21 is formed. The partition member 17 only needs to partition the module storage chamber 18 and the accessory storage chamber 19, and the module storage chamber 18 and the accessory storage chamber 19 may be partitioned with a gap.

  Further, for example, the outer casing 16 is divided into left and right by a partition member 17, and one is a fuel cell module housing chamber 18 for housing the module 2, and the other is an auxiliary machinery housing chamber 19 for storing auxiliary machinery. It can also be.

  In addition, the fuel cell apparatus 15 can be made into a compact shape by using the partition member 17 as shown in FIG.

  Here, the heat source 13 can be operated as follows. For example, when the gas flow meter 8 does not detect the flow rate of the raw fuel gas or only a slight flow rate of the raw fuel gas at the time of starting or restarting the fuel cell device, the control device 10 operates the heat source 13. Control. Thereafter, when the gas flow meter 8 detects a predetermined raw fuel gas flow rate, it is determined that the electromagnetic valve 7 has been opened, and the control device 10 performs control so as to stop the operation of the heat source 13.

  By the way, since the phenomenon that the solenoid valve 7 is not opened occurs when the outside air temperature is low, the operation of the heat source 13 can be controlled based on the outside air temperature.

  Here, in FIG. 2, an outside air temperature sensor 22 for measuring the outside air temperature is provided on the lower surface (bottom surface) side of the fuel cell device 15 (the outer case 2). The outside air temperature sensor 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is a place where the outside air temperature can be measured.

  Here, in controlling the operation of the heat source 13 based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 22, the control device 10 operates the heat source 13 when the outside air temperature becomes 10 ° C. or less, for example. Can be controlled. As a result, the temperature of the desulfurizer 6 can be raised, the raw fuel gas can be prevented from adsorbing to the desulfurizer 6 (desulfurization catalyst), and the raw fuel gas adsorbed to the desulfurizer 6 (desulfurization catalyst) can be removed. It is possible to suppress the negative pressure between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5. The temperature at which the heat source 13 is operated can be set as appropriate based on the type and performance of the desulfurization catalyst.

  In controlling the heat source 13, a temperature sensor may be provided in the desulfurizer 6, and the heat source 13 may be controlled to stop when the temperature of the desulfurizer 6 becomes a predetermined temperature or higher. Furthermore, at a time when the outside air temperature is low, such as in winter, the heat source 13 can be controlled at the same time as the fuel cell device is stopped, and the heat source 13 can be controlled to be always operated.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the raw fuel gas supply device 11 in the fuel cell device of the present invention. The negative pressure operating valve 23 is used as the negative pressure suppressing means, and the desulfurizer 6 and The example which connected the negative pressure operation valve 23 to the raw fuel gas supply pipe | tube 12 between the supply pressure regulators 5 is shown. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a part of the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 has a T shape, and a negative pressure operation valve 23 is connected to one end branched to the T shape. Further, as the negative pressure operating valve 23, a commercially available negative pressure operating valve can be used.

  Then, by connecting the negative pressure operation valve 23 to the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5, a negative pressure was generated between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5. In this case, the depressurization valve 23 is operated to supply external air (air in the outer case 23) to the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 connecting the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5, thereby desulfurization. It is possible to suppress the negative pressure between the vessel 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5 (cancel the negative pressure). Thereby, the electromagnetic valve 7 can be opened when the fuel cell device is started or restarted, and the fuel cell device can be started efficiently. The negative pressure operating valve 23 may be connected so as to supply the air in the outer case 23 to the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12, but one end of the negative pressure operating valve 23 can also be connected to the blower 14. is there.

  FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the raw fuel gas supply device 11 in the fuel cell device of the present invention. In (a), the supply pressure regulator 5 also serves as a negative pressure suppressing means. In addition, an example is shown in which a deaeration unit is provided for degassing the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5 when the fuel cell device is stopped. (B) shows the X portion shown in (a) in an extracted and enlarged manner.

  For example, when the relief valve 5 is used as the supply pressure regulator 5, the relief valve 5 is opened when a pressure higher than the gas source pressure is applied, so that the relief valve 5 is closed when the fuel cell device is stopped. It has become.

  Here, when the raw fuel gas remains in the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5 with the relief valve 5 closed, the remaining raw fuel gas is removed from the desulfurization vessel. 6 (desulfurization catalyst) is adsorbed and a negative pressure is generated between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure adjuster 5, and the electromagnetic valve 7 may not be opened when the fuel cell device is started or restarted.

  Therefore, in the fuel gas supply device 11 shown in FIG. 4, a deaeration unit 24 is provided in the supply pressure regulator 5. Thereby, even when the supply pressure regulator 5 is in a closed state, the raw fuel gas remaining in the supply pressure regulator 5 from the desulfurizer 6 can be degassed from the deaeration unit 24. Thereby, it can suppress that between the desulfurizer 6 and the supply pressure regulator 5 becomes a negative pressure, it can suppress that the solenoid valve 7 is not opened at the time of starting and restarting of a fuel cell apparatus, and a fuel cell apparatus It is possible to start up efficiently. The deaeration unit 24 may be any as long as it can be deaerated even when the supply pressure regulator 5 is closed. For example, a hole is formed in the supply pressure regulator 5.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in FIG. 3, an example in which the negative pressure operation valve 23 is connected to the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 between the gas pump 4 and the supply pressure regulator 5 is shown, but for example, the raw pressure between the desulfurizer 6 and the gas pump 4 is shown. It is also possible to connect to the fuel gas supply pipe 12. Further, the raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 connecting the gas pump 4 and the supply pressure regulator 5 is branched, a negative pressure operation valve 23 is provided in the branched raw fuel gas supply pipe 12, and the branched raw fuel gas supply pipe is provided. It is also possible to connect one end of 12 to a raw fuel gas supply pipe 12 that connects the reformer 3 and the supply pressure regulator 5.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the raw fuel gas supply apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the structure of the raw fuel gas supply apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. (A) is a block diagram which shows another example of the structure of the raw fuel gas supply apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention, (b) extracts and shows the part shown by X in (a). It is an enlarged view. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the raw fuel gas supply apparatus which comprises the conventional fuel cell apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1: Cell stack 2: Fuel cell module 3: Reformer 4: Gas pump 5: Supply pressure regulator (relief valve)
6: Desulfurizer 7: Solenoid valve 8: Gas flow meter 10: Control device 11: Raw fuel gas supply device 12: Raw fuel gas supply pipe 13: Heat source (heater)
22: Temperature sensor 23: Negative pressure operation valve 24: Deaeration part

Claims (3)

A fuel cell module containing fuel cells, and
A reformer for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell;
A raw fuel gas supply device for supplying raw fuel gas to the reformer ;
An outside air temperature sensor for measuring outside air temperature, and a fuel cell device comprising:
The raw fuel gas supply device includes a raw fuel gas supply means for supplying raw fuel gas supplied from a raw fuel gas supplier, a desulfurizer for removing sulfur in the raw fuel gas, and desulfurized. A gas pump for pumping the raw fuel gas and a supply pressure regulator for adjusting the supply pressure of the pumped raw fuel gas are connected in this order by the raw fuel gas supply pipe, and the desulfurizer Comprising negative pressure suppressing means for suppressing the supply pressure regulator from becoming negative pressure ,
The negative pressure suppression means is a heat source for increasing the temperature of the desulfurizer;
A fuel cell device comprising: a control device that controls to operate the heat source when the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature . The desulfurizer is further provided with a temperature sensor,
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the heat source to stop when the temperature of the desulfurizer measured by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. apparatus. When stopping the fuel cell device, and characterized in that it comprises a degassing unit for degassing the raw fuel gas remaining in the raw fuel gas supply pipe between the supply pressure regulator and the desulfurizer The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2 .

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