JP5252901B2 - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device that houses a fuel cell module in which a plurality of fuel cells are housed in an exterior case, and includes ventilation means for ventilating air in the exterior case.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a fuel cell module in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas (usually air) are housed in a housing container, Various fuel cell devices have been proposed in which auxiliary equipment for operating the fuel cell module is housed in an outer case.

  In such a fuel cell device, it is known that a ventilation fan is provided in the outer case constituting the fuel cell device, and radiant heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module is released to the outside to suppress the temperature rise of the outer case. Yes.

  Further, in obtaining a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) used for power generation of a fuel cell from a raw fuel such as natural gas, in a fuel cell device that performs steam reforming with particularly high reforming efficiency in a reformer. In the exterior case, for example, an apparatus for performing steam reforming such as a water pump or a water tank and an auxiliary machine such as a water supply pipe are accommodated.

  By the way, when such a fuel cell device is used in a cold region, there is a risk that a device for performing steam reforming such as a water pump or a water tank or an auxiliary device such as a water supply pipe may freeze. If the auxiliary machine is frozen, it may be difficult to generate power from the fuel cell device.

Therefore, for example, a heater is provided in the fuel cell device, and the purpose is to circulate the air heated by the heat of the heater using a ventilation fan in the fuel cell device or to effectively use the heat generated by the inverter. Fuel cell devices have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-140050 A JP 2006-252964 A

  By the way, when using a heater for the purpose of suppressing (preventing) freezing of auxiliary equipment such as an apparatus for performing steam reforming in a reformer and a water supply pipe, the current generated by the power generation of the fuel cell Since it is used for operating the heater, there is a problem that the power that can be supplied to the load is reduced.

  Further, for example, in the fuel cell device that is stored in a place where the fuel cell module and the auxiliary machine are separated, for example, when the fuel cell device is installed in a cold region, even when the fuel cell device is in operation, There was a possibility that the place where the auxiliary machine is stored became low temperature and the auxiliary machine was frozen.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of suppressing the freezing of the auxiliary device in a fuel cell device containing an auxiliary device such as a device for performing steam reforming and a water supply pipe. There is.

The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a fuel cell module in which a plurality of fuel cells are housed in an outer case, and an auxiliary device for operating the fuel cell module, and is provided in the outer case. In addition, the exterior case which is partitioned into a module storage chamber in which the fuel cell module is stored and an auxiliary device storage chamber in which the auxiliary device is stored is constituted by a partition member having an air circulation port or a gap, and which constitutes the module storage chamber A module storage chamber intake / exhaust port for sucking and exhausting air in the module storage chamber in a part of the housing, and sucking and exhausting air in the accessory storage chamber in a part of the exterior case constituting the auxiliary device storage chamber together becomes comprise auxiliary housing chamber intake and exhaust ports for, via the air flow port or the gap of one of the air out of the module housing chamber and the auxiliary housing chamber Te and ventilation means for flowing to the other, said air flow port or the gap air was air from the auxiliary storage chamber intake and exhaust ports when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a temperature that can effectively suppress freezing of the auxiliary When the outside air temperature is lower than a temperature at which freezing of the auxiliary equipment can be effectively suppressed, the air flowing into the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port is exhausted from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port. or characterized by comprising a control device for controlling the ventilator to evacuate from the auxiliary storage chamber intake and exhaust ports through said gap.

  In such a fuel cell device, when the outside air temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, the air sucked from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port is warmed by the radiant heat of the fuel cell module and circulates to the auxiliary device storage chamber, The air circulated in the auxiliary equipment storage room (air heated in the module storage room) is exhausted from the auxiliary equipment storage room intake / exhaust port. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the air heated by the radiant heat of the fuel cell module flows in the auxiliary equipment storage room. Therefore, the temperature in the auxiliary equipment storage room is effectively utilized by using the radiant heat of the fuel cell module. And the freezing of the auxiliary equipment can be suppressed or prevented.

  On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the air sucked from the auxiliary machine storage room intake / exhaust port flows through the auxiliary machine storage room, then flows into the module storage room, and flows into the module storage room. Is exhausted from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the temperature in the module housing chamber can be lowered or the temperature rise can be suppressed.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the ventilation means is a ventilation fan that can rotate forward and backward.

  In such a fuel cell device, the intake and exhaust of the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port and the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port can be easily switched, and the fuel cell device can be made inexpensive.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the ventilation fan is provided in at least one of the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port and the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port.

  In such a fuel cell device, by controlling the ventilation fan, air in the module storage chamber can be circulated to the accessory storage chamber, and air in the accessory storage chamber can be circulated to the module storage chamber. it can. Thereby, freezing of the auxiliary machine can be suppressed or prevented by effectively using the radiant heat of the fuel cell module. Further, the temperature in the module housing chamber can be lowered or the temperature rise can be suppressed.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the ventilation fan is provided on the partition member.

  In such a fuel cell device, air in the module storage chamber can be easily circulated to the accessory storage chamber, and air in the accessory storage chamber can be easily circulated to the module storage chamber. Thereby, freezing of the auxiliary machine can be suppressed or prevented by effectively using the radiant heat of the fuel cell module. Further, the temperature in the module housing chamber can be lowered or the temperature rise can be suppressed.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, the module storage chamber is disposed above the outer case, the auxiliary device storage chamber is disposed below the outer case, and the auxiliary device storage chamber is configured. It is preferable that a temperature sensor for measuring the outside air temperature is provided on the outer surface of the outer case.

  In such a fuel cell device, for example, when the fuel cell device is installed outdoors, the outside air temperature can be easily measured. Then, the control device can easily change the air flow in the fuel cell device by controlling the ventilation fan based on the measured outside air temperature. it can. Further, the temperature in the module housing chamber can be lowered or the temperature rise can be suppressed.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a module storage chamber intake / exhaust port in an outer case constituting the module storage chamber, and an auxiliary case storage chamber intake / exhaust port in the outer case constituting the auxiliary device storage chamber. Since it has ventilation means for circulating air from one of the auxiliary equipment storage chambers to the other and a control device that controls the ventilation means based on the outside air temperature, it effectively utilizes the radiant heat of the fuel cell module. Thus, it is possible to provide a fuel cell device capable of suppressing freezing of the auxiliary equipment stored in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber and reducing the temperature in the module storage chamber or suppressing the temperature rise.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a fuel cell device system. The fuel cell device of the present invention corresponds to a power generation unit that generates power in FIG. 1, and includes a hot water storage unit that stores hot water after heat exchange, a circulation pump and a circulation pipe for circulating water between these units. Thus, a fuel cell system is configured. In the description of FIG. 1, the power generation unit and the hot water storage unit are collectively referred to as a fuel cell system.

  The fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of a fuel cell system that performs steam reforming with high reforming efficiency in a reformer when obtaining fuel gas used for power generation of the fuel cell (cell) 1. A fuel cell 1, a reformed gas supply means 2 for supplying a reformed gas such as natural gas or kerosene, an oxygen-containing gas supply means 3 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 1, a reformed gas and water vapor A reformer 4 for steam reforming is provided.

  Further, in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 13 that performs heat exchange between exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by power generation of the fuel cell 1 and water, and a condensate that stores condensed water generated by the heat exchange. A condensed water recovery passage 21 is provided for recovering (supplying) the condensed water generated in the water tank 19 and the heat exchanger 13 to the condensed water tank 19, and the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is stored in the condensed water tank 19. It is supplied to the reformer 4. The condensed water treatment means (for example, an ion exchange resin, not shown in FIG. 1) for treating the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 to be pure water is condensed water. In the collection | recovery flow path 21, the condensed water tank 19, and also the condensed water supply pipe | tube 20 can be provided suitably.

  On the other hand, when the amount of condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is small or when the purity of pure water after being treated by the condensed water treatment means is low, water (such as tap water) supplied from outside is used. It is preferable to treat it with pure water and supply it to the reformer 4. In FIG. 1, a water treatment device X is provided as means for treating the water supplied from the outside into pure water.

  Here, the water treatment device X includes an activated carbon filter device 7 for purifying water, a reverse osmosis membrane device 8 (hereinafter referred to as RO membrane device), and an ion exchange resin device for converting purified water into pure water. 9 or all of the apparatuses (preferably including at least the ion exchange resin apparatus 9). The pure water generated by the ion exchange resin device 9 is stored in the water tank 10. In addition, in FIG. 1, the example in the case of using all the said apparatuses as the water treatment apparatus X and using together the water supplied from the outside, such as tap water, and condensed water is shown. The tank 19 and the water tank 10 are connected by a condensed water supply pipe (tank connection pipe) 20. In the case where only condensed water is supplied to the reformer 4, the condensed water tank 19 and the reformer 4 can be connected via the water pump 11.

  That is, in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1, the water tank for storing the pure water treated by the condensed water treatment means corresponds to the condensed water tank 19 when the condensed water is supplied directly to the reformer 4. In the case where pure water that has been treated with water supplied from outside such as tap water and pure water that has been treated with condensed water are used in combination, it corresponds to the water tank 10.

  Further, in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1, a water supply pipe 5 that connects the activated carbon filter device 7, the RO membrane device 8, the ion exchange resin device 9, and the water tank 10 in this order is provided. 5 is provided with a water supply valve 6 for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the water supply pipe 5. In FIG. 1, the means for supplying water to the reformer 4 is shown surrounded by a one-dot chain line.

  The fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 further includes a power conditioner 12 for switching the DC power generated by the fuel cell 1 to AC power and supplying it to an external load, and a heat exchanger 13 provided at the outlet of the heat exchanger 13. An outlet water temperature sensor 15 for measuring the water temperature of the water flowing through the outlet of the exchanger 13 (circulated water stream), a control device 14 for controlling the power conditioner 12, and the like are provided. A power generation unit is constituted by these devices. ing.

  The hot water storage unit includes a hot water storage tank 18 for storing hot water after heat exchange.

  Furthermore, a circulation pump 16 and a circulation pipe 17 for circulating water between the heat exchanger 13 and the hot water storage tank 18 are provided, and the power generation unit, the hot water storage unit, the circulation pump 16 and the circulation pipe 17 are combined to produce fuel. A battery device system is configured.

  Here, a method for operating the fuel cell system will be described using the fuel cell system shown in FIG.

  Exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 1 is supplied to the heat exchanger 13 and then exchanged with water that passes through (circulates) the heat exchanger 13 (water flowing through the circulation pipe 17). Is done.

  Here, the condensed water generated by heat exchange between the exhaust gas and water flows through the condensed water recovery passage 21 and is stored in the condensed water tank 19. The condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is treated with pure water by condensed water treatment means (not shown in FIG. 1) provided in the condensed water tank 19 and then condensed water supply pipe 20 (tank). It is supplied to the water tank 10 through a connecting pipe 20. The water stored in the water tank 10 is supplied to the reformer 4 by the water pump 11 according to the amount of water required by the reformer 4. In the case where only the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is supplied to the reformer 4, the condensed water supply pipe 20 may be connected to the water pump 11.

  In the reformer 4, steam reforming is performed using water supplied by the water pump 11 and a gas to be reformed (fuel gas) supplied from the gas to be reformed supply means 2. The reformed gas (hydrogen gas) generated in the reformer 4 is supplied to the fuel cell 1 and reacts with the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply means 3 to generate power in the fuel cell 1. It is. The electric power generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 1 is supplied to an external load through the power conditioner 12.

  On the other hand, when supplying water (tap water or the like) supplied from the outside to the reformer 4, the water supply valve 6 is opened, and the water supplied from the outside through the water supply pipe 5 is activated carbon filter device. 7 is supplied with water. The water treated by the activated carbon filter device 7 is subsequently supplied to the RO membrane device 8. The water treated by the RO membrane device 8 is subsequently supplied and treated to the ion exchange resin device 9 to produce pure water. The pure water produced in the ion exchange resin device 9 is supplied to the water tank 10 and the condensed water is supplied to the reformer 4 according to the amount of water required in the reformer 4. The water pump 11 supplies the reformer 4 with the water.

  Here, in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1, each device corresponding to the power generation unit is housed in the outer case as necessary, so that the fuel cell device of the present invention is configured.

  However, for example, when a fuel cell device in which these devices are housed in an outer case is installed outdoors in a cold region, each device such as a water tank 10, a water pump 11, a water treatment device X, and a condensed water tank 19 is used. In addition, there is a risk that an auxiliary machine installed to supply water to the reformer 4 such as a water supply pipe such as the condensed water supply pipe 20 and the condensed water recovery flow path 21 will freeze. And when the auxiliary machine installed in order to supply water to the reformer 4 freezes, steam reforming cannot be performed in the reformer 4, and the power generation of the fuel cell 1 becomes difficult In addition, the reformer 4 and the fuel cell 1 may be damaged. Therefore, it is preferable that freezing of these water supply means can be effectively suppressed (prevented).

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an outer case 23 constituting the fuel cell device 22 of the present invention. The outer case 23 is separated from the fuel cell module 25 by a partition member 24 provided in the outer case 23. (Hereinafter, abbreviated as a module) is divided into a module storage chamber 26 and an auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 in which an auxiliary machine (not shown) for operating the module 25 is stored. Thereby, the fuel cell device 22 can be made compact.

  2 shows the fuel cell device 22 in which the module storage chamber 26 is disposed above the outer case 23 and the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 is disposed below the outer case 23 with the partition member 24 interposed therebetween. ing.

  In such a fuel cell device 22, the module 25 is accommodated above the outer case 23, and an auxiliary device for operating the module 25 is accommodated below, so that the fuel cell device 22 is compact. Can do.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the module 25 arranged in a portion indicated by a dotted line in FIG. The module 25 is arranged inside a rectangular parallelepiped storage container 28 in a state where fuel cells 29 having gas flow paths through which gas flows are erected, and a current collecting member between adjacent fuel cells 29 A fuel cell stack in which the lower ends of the fuel cells 29 are fixed to the manifold 30 with an insulating bonding material (not shown) such as a glass sealing material while being electrically connected in series via (not shown). 31 (hereinafter also referred to as a cell stack) is accommodated. In FIG. 3, the fuel battery cell 29 is a hollow plate type in which fuel gas flows in a longitudinal direction through a gas flow path provided inside the fuel battery cell 29, and a fuel side electrode, a solid is formed on the surface of the support. A solid oxide fuel cell 29 in which an electrolyte and an oxygen side electrode are sequentially provided is illustrated.

  Further, in order to obtain hydrogen gas used in the fuel cell 29, a reformer 32 for reforming fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) is provided in the cell stack 31. Arranged at the top. The fuel gas generated by the reformer 32 is supplied to the manifold 30 through the gas flow pipe 33 and is supplied to the gas flow path provided inside the fuel battery cell 29 via the manifold 30. And the fuel cell stack apparatus 34 is comprised by these structures.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 28 is removed and the fuel cell stack device 34 stored inside is taken out rearward. Here, in the module 25 shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell stack device 34 can be slid and stored in the storage container 28.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the fuel cell device 22 according to the present invention. The module storage chamber 26 for storing the module 25 is disposed above the outer case 23, and the auxiliary case 23 is disposed below the outer case 23. An auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 for storing the machine is disposed. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the fuel cell device 22 is installed on the ground, and the same applies to the subsequent drawings.

  Here, a module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35 for intake and exhaust of air in the module storage chamber 26 is provided in a part of the outer case 23 constituting the module storage chamber 26, and the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 is configured. A part of the outer case 23 is provided with an auxiliary machine storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36 for intake and exhaust of air in the auxiliary machine storage room 27.

  The partition member 24 only needs to be able to partition the module storage chamber 26 and the accessory storage chamber 27. For example, the partition member 24 may be a plate-like member having a hollow portion through which air can flow or the module 25. There is a shape formed by connecting a module mounting table for mounting a part of a frame-shaped member.

  Here, when the partition member 24 is made of a plate-like member having a hollow portion through which air can flow, either the air in the module storage chamber 26 or the air in the auxiliary device storage chamber 27. It is preferable to appropriately provide an air circulation port 38 for circulating one of the air to the other. In the following drawings, the partition member 24 having this shape will be described.

  When the partition member 24 has a shape formed by connecting a module mounting table for mounting the module 25 to a part of the frame-shaped member, the module storage chamber 26 and the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 are provided. In some cases, the partition member 24 may not be provided with the air circulation port 38.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows an example in which a ventilation fan 37 is provided in the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35.

  In the case where the fuel cell 29 is a solid oxide fuel cell, the temperature in the power generation of the fuel cell 29 is high, so the radiant heat from the module 25 is also high. As a result, the temperature in the module storage chamber 26 becomes high, and the temperature of the exterior case 23 may increase accordingly. Therefore, it is preferable to ventilate the air in the module storage chamber 26.

  Therefore, it is preferable to ventilate the air in the module storage chamber 26 by operating the ventilation fan 35 during operation of the fuel cell device 22 (particularly during power generation of the fuel cell 29). Here, by operating the ventilation fan 37 provided in the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35, air (outside air) is taken into the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 from the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36, and is taken in. The air flows in the module storage chamber 26 through the air circulation port 38 and is exhausted from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35. Thereby, the temperature in the module housing chamber 26 can be lowered, and the temperature of the outer case 23 can be prevented from rising.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the fuel cell device 22 in which the module storage chamber 26 and the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 are vertically partitioned, the fuel cell device 22 is installed outside in a cold region, When the temperature is low, there is a risk that the auxiliary equipment installed in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 freezes in order to supply water to the reformer 4 such as a water pump or a water supply pipe.

  Therefore, in the fuel cell device 22 of the present invention, when the outside air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature, the air in the module storage chamber 26 heated by the module 25 is circulated to the auxiliary device storage chamber 27. It is characterized by. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress (prevent) freezing of auxiliary equipment installed for supplying water to the reformer 4, and to effectively use the radiant heat of the module 25.

  Here, in addition to providing the ventilation fan 37 in the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35, the ventilation fan 37 is also provided in the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36, and either one of the ventilation fans 37 is operated according to the outside temperature. However, the number of the ventilation fans 37 can be reduced by using the ventilation fan 37 that can rotate forward and backward as the ventilation fan 37, and the configuration of the fuel cell device 22 is complicated. Therefore, it is preferable to use a ventilation fan 37 that can rotate forward and backward as the ventilation fan 37 because the cost of the fuel cell device 22 can be reduced.

  Further, in the fuel cell device 22 shown in FIG. 4, a temperature sensor 40 is provided on the outer surface of the outer case 23 that constitutes the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27, and the control device 39 is forward and backward depending on the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40. It is preferable to control the operation of the rotatable ventilation fan 37.

  That is, when the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the control device 39 takes outside air into the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 from the auxiliary equipment storage room intake / exhaust port 36, and the taken-in air However, the operation of the ventilation fan 37 is controlled so that it flows in the module storage chamber 26 through the air circulation port 28 and is exhausted from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35.

  On the other hand, when the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control device 39 reversely rotates the ventilation fan 37 and takes outside air into the module housing chamber 26 from the module housing chamber intake / exhaust port 35. The operation of the ventilation fan 37 is controlled so that the taken-in air is warmed while flowing in the module storage chamber 26 and the warmed air flows into the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 through the air circulation port 38. To do. Thereby, the interior of the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 can be warmed, and freezing of the auxiliary equipment installed to supply water to the reformer 4 can be suppressed (prevented). The air that has flowed into the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 is exhausted from the auxiliary equipment storage room intake / exhaust port 36.

  The predetermined temperature of the outside air temperature may be a temperature that can effectively suppress freezing of auxiliary equipment installed to supply water to the reformer 4 such as a water pump or a water supply pipe. Considering the temperature difference between the temperature inside the machine storage chamber 27 and the outside air temperature, for example, it can be appropriately set as 5 ° C. or less.

  The temperature sensor 40 provided on the outer surface of the outer case 23 constituting the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the outside air temperature, but the fuel cell device 22 is installed on the ground. In this case, it is preferable to provide it at a position close to the ground. FIG. 4 shows an example in which it is provided on the bottom surface of the outer case 23 constituting the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27.

  The auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 is exhausted from the module 25 and the blower 41 for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the module 25 as auxiliary equipment other than the auxiliary equipment for supplying water to the reformer 4. A heat exchanger 42 for exchanging heat between exhaust gas and water is shown.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which a ventilation fan 37 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is provided in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36 in the fuel cell device 22 shown in FIG.

  Also in this case, the control device 39 controls the ventilation fan 37 that can rotate forward and backward according to the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40. Outside air is sucked from the exhaust port 36, and the sucked air flows through the module storage chamber 26 through the air circulation port 38 and is then exhausted from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35. Thereby, the temperature in the module housing chamber 26 can be lowered, and the temperature of the outer case 23 can be prevented from rising.

  On the other hand, when the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control device 39 performs control to reversely rotate the ventilation fan 37, thereby sucking outside air from the module storage chamber intake and exhaust port 35, The sucked air is warmed while flowing in the module storage chamber 26, and the warmed air flows into the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 through the air circulation port 38. Thereby, the auxiliary machine installed in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 for supplying water to the reformer 4 can be warmed, and freezing of the auxiliary machine can be suppressed (prevented). The air that has flowed into the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 is exhausted from the auxiliary equipment storage room intake / exhaust port 36.

  Thereby, the temperature in the module housing chamber 26 can be lowered, the rise in the temperature of the exterior case 23 can be suppressed, and the radiant heat of the module 25 can be effectively used to supply water to the reformer 4. Freezing of the auxiliary machine stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 can be suppressed (prevented).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the fuel cell device 22 in which a ventilation fan 37 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is provided in the air circulation port 38 of the partition member 24. In FIG. 6, a ventilation fan 37 is provided in the air circulation port 38 of the partition member 24 on the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 side.

  By providing the ventilation fan 37 that can rotate forward and backward, the temperature in the module housing chamber 26 can be lowered, the temperature of the outer case 23 can be prevented from rising, and the radiant heat of the module 25 can be effectively used to improve the temperature. Freezing of the auxiliary equipment installed in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 27 for supplying water to the mass device 4 can be suppressed (prevented), but depending on the size of the fuel cell device 22 (exterior case 23), ventilation is possible. When the fan 37 is provided at the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35 or the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36, the ventilation fan 37 does not have sufficient blowing power, and the air in the outer case 23 can be sufficiently distributed. Difficult cases may occur.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, by providing a ventilation fan 37 that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions at the air flow port 38 of the partition member 24, the air in the module storage chamber 26 is easily circulated into the auxiliary device storage chamber 27. In addition, the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 can be easily circulated into the module storage chamber 26.

  Thereby, the temperature in the module housing chamber 26 can be lowered, the rise in the temperature of the exterior case 23 can be suppressed, and the radiant heat of the module 25 can be effectively used to supply water to the reformer 4. Freezing of the auxiliary machine installed in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 27 can be suppressed (prevented).

  In the case where the partition member 24 has a shape in which a module mounting table for mounting the module 25 is connected to a part of a frame-shaped member, the ventilation fan 37 is an accessory storage chamber of the module mounting table. 27 side can be provided. In this case, an air flow pipe for circulating air in the module storage room 26 and the auxiliary machine storage room 37 is provided, and the air flow pipe and the ventilation fan 37 are connected to each other, whereby the module storage room 26 and the auxiliary machine are connected. The air in the storage chamber 37 can also be circulated.

  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 the present invention, a fuel cell in which a module storage chamber 26 for storing a module 25 and an auxiliary device storage chamber 27 for storing an auxiliary machine are vertically partitioned by a partition member 24 provided in the outer case 23. As described with reference to the device 22, the fuel cell device 22 has a module storage chamber 26 in which the module 25 is stored by the partition member 24 and an auxiliary device storage chamber 27 in which the auxiliary device is stored. You can also.

  Further, when the ventilation fan 37 is provided at the air circulation port 28 of the partition member 24 and the ventilation fan 37 that can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions is not used, the plurality of ventilation fans 37 are partitioned so that the direction of the air flow is reversed. The air is provided in the member 24 (air circulation port 38) and is blown in the same direction among the plurality of ventilation fans 37 according to the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 (for example, from the module storage chamber 26 side to the auxiliary device storage chamber 27 side). The ventilation fan 37 is actuated, and the ventilation fan 37 that blows air in the other direction (for example, blows air from the auxiliary machine storage room 27 side to the module storage room 26 side) is stopped, and vice versa depending on the outside air temperature. It can also be controlled.

  Further, in the case of using a ventilation fan 37 that can rotate forward and backward, when the outside air temperature becomes lower than a predetermined temperature, the outside air is sucked from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35 and flows through the module storage chamber 26. The ventilation fan 27 is controlled so as to supply warmed air to the auxiliary machine storage room 27 side. However, a temperature sensor is provided in the auxiliary machine storage room 27 so that the temperature in the auxiliary machine storage room 27 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. In this case, the ventilation fan 37 can be controlled so that outside air is sucked from the auxiliary machine storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36 and supplied to the module storage chamber 26. In this case, it is possible to suppress or prevent freezing of auxiliary equipment for supplying water to the reformer 4, and to reduce the temperature in the module storage chamber 26 or suppress the temperature increase.

  A ventilation fan 37 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions can be provided at both the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 35 and the auxiliary device storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36.

  In addition, when the fuel cell device 22 of the present invention is installed particularly in a cold area, a heater can be used in order to more effectively suppress (prevent) freezing of the auxiliary machine. It is preferable to set the predetermined temperature condition of the outside air temperature to a lower temperature. Thereby, use of a heater can be suppressed as much as possible, and it can suppress that the electric power which can be supplied to load reduces.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a fuel cell system. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the exterior case which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. 1 is a schematic view (cross-sectional view) schematically showing an example of a fuel cell device of the present invention. It is the schematic (sectional drawing) which showed schematically another example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic (sectional drawing) which showed schematically another example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

23: Exterior case 24: Partition member 25: Fuel cell module 26: Module storage chamber 27: Auxiliary storage chamber 35: Module storage chamber intake / exhaust port 36: Auxiliary storage chamber intake / exhaust port 37: Ventilation fan 38: Air distribution port 39: Control device 40: Temperature sensor

Claims (5)

A fuel cell module in which a plurality of fuel cells are housed in an outer case; and an auxiliary device for operating the fuel cell module; provided in the outer case and having an air circulation port or a gap. The module storage chamber is partitioned into a module storage chamber in which the fuel cell module is stored and an auxiliary device storage chamber in which the auxiliary device is stored by the partition member, and is part of the outer case constituting the module storage chamber. A module storage chamber intake / exhaust port for intake / exhaust air is provided, and an auxiliary machine storage chamber intake / exhaust port for intake / exhaust air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber is formed in a part of the exterior case constituting the auxiliary machine storage chamber. together comprising an exhaust port, it is circulated to the other through the vent port or the gap of one of the air out of the module housing chamber and the auxiliary housing chamber ventilation Stage and the module housing chamber air and air from said auxiliary storage chamber intake and exhaust ports through the vent port or the gap when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a temperature that can effectively suppress freezing of the auxiliary When the outside air temperature is lower than the temperature at which freezing of the auxiliary machine can be effectively suppressed, the air sucked from the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port is exhausted through the air circulation port or the gap. fuel cell apparatus characterized by comprising a control device for controlling the ventilator to evacuate from the auxiliary storage chamber intake and exhaust ports.   2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation means is a ventilation fan capable of rotating forward and reverse.   The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation fan is provided in at least one of the module storage chamber intake / exhaust port and the auxiliary machine storage chamber intake / exhaust port.   The fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation fan is provided in the partition member.   The module storage chamber is disposed above the exterior case, the accessory storage chamber is disposed below the exterior case, and the outside air temperature is formed on the outer surface of the exterior case constituting the accessory storage chamber. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature is provided.

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