JP5424983B2 - Cell stack device, fuel cell module and fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device including a reformer for generating fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell.

  In recent years, as next-generation energy, a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and air (oxygen-containing gas) are arranged in a standing state Various cell stack devices including a reformer for generating fuel gas to be supplied to the cell stack and fuel cell modules in which the cell stack device is housed in a housing container have been proposed (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in generating the fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel battery cell, for example, a steam reforming method for generating a fuel gas by reacting a hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas with steam is known. Various reformers for reforming have been proposed.

  FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a conventional fuel cell module 60, and shows a state in which the cell stack device 68 is pulled out from the storage container 61.

  The cell stack device 68 has a cell stack 63 formed by arranging a plurality of fuel cells 62, and a U-shaped reformer 65 is disposed above the cell stack 63. In the reformer 65, the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 67 passes through the vaporization unit 69 and undergoes a reforming reaction such as steam reforming in the reforming unit 70 to produce a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas). ). The fuel gas generated by the reformer 65 including the vaporization unit 69 and the reforming unit 70 is supplied to the manifold 64 via the fuel gas supply pipe 66, and the fuel gas is supplied from the manifold 64 to each fuel cell 62. Is supplied. With this configuration, the cell stack device 68 is configured.

JP 2007-59377 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell module 60 described above, the fuel gas generated by the reformer 65 is supplied into the manifold 64 from the fuel gas supply pipe 66 connected to one end of the manifold 64. A sufficient amount of fuel gas cannot be supplied to the fuel cells 62 arranged farther from the gas supply pipe 66, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 63 may be reduced.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device that can efficiently supply fuel gas to each fuel cell constituting the cell stack and have improved power generation efficiency. Objective.

The cell stack device of the present invention has a fuel gas flow path inside, and is arranged and electrically connected in a state where a plurality of columnar fuel cells that generate electricity with fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas are erected. A cell stack, a manifold for fixing one end of the fuel cell and supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and a space disposed on the other end side of the cell stack, And a reformer for generating the fuel gas to be supplied to the manifold, the cell stack device configured to burn the fuel gas not used for power generation on the other end side of the fuel cell. The reformer converts the raw fuel supplied from the outside into a raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, a vaporization chamber having a raw fuel gas outlet for sending the raw fuel gas, and the fuel cell. Cell A raw fuel gas inflow port through which the raw fuel gas sent from the vaporization chamber flows in a central portion along the column direction, and reforming for reforming the raw fuel gas into the fuel gas inside A reforming chamber having a catalyst and a fuel gas delivery port for delivering the fuel gas to both ends along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and the manifold includes the fuel Fuel gas inlets through which the fuel gas delivered from the reforming chamber flows into both ends along the arrangement direction of the battery cells, and each of the fuel gas outlets and each of the fuel gas inlets Are connected by a fuel gas supply pipe.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, the vaporization chamber is disposed in contact with the upper surface of the reforming chamber, and the raw fuel gas delivery port of the vaporization chamber and the raw fuel gas flow of the reformer are arranged. The entrance may be directly connected.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, the raw fuel gas delivery port of the vaporization chamber and the raw fuel gas inlet of the reforming chamber may be connected by a connecting member.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, raw fuel inlets for supplying raw fuel supplied from the outside are provided on both sides of the vaporization chamber along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. At the same time, the raw fuel gas delivery port may be provided at a central portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells.

  Moreover, the cell stack apparatus of this invention may be equipped with the heating means in the said vaporization chamber.

  The fuel cell module of the present invention is characterized in that the cell stack device is housed in a housing container.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention is characterized in that the fuel cell module described above and an auxiliary device for operating the cell stack device are housed in an outer case.

  According to the cell stack device of the present invention, a sufficient amount of fuel gas can be supplied to each fuel cell, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. Moreover, the fuel cell module of the present invention can be a fuel cell module with improved power generation efficiency because the cell stack device with improved power generation efficiency is housed in the storage container. Further, the fuel cell device of the present invention has a fuel cell module with improved power generation efficiency because the fuel cell module with improved power generation efficiency and an auxiliary machine for operating the cell stack device are housed in the outer case. A battery device can be obtained.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which extracts and shows a part of cell stack apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows a part of cell stack apparatus of other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of cell stack apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which extracts and shows a part of cell stack apparatus of further another embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows one Embodiment of the fuel cell module of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows one Embodiment of the conventional cell stack apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a cell stack device of the present invention. In the following drawings, the same numbers are assigned to the same members.

  The cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is electrically connected in series by arranging a current collecting member (not shown) between two or more fuel cells 2 each having a gas flow path. The connected cell stack 3 is fixed with an insulating adhesive to one end of the fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3 to a manifold 4 for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell 2. On the other end side, the reformer 6 is disposed apart from the fuel cell 2 and both ends along the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 2 of the manifold 4 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as the cell arrangement direction). Fuel gas supply connecting each fuel gas inlet 17 provided in the section and each fuel gas outlet 14 (see FIG. 2) provided at both ends of the reformer 6 along the cell arrangement direction. A tube 8 is provided. The end of the manifold 4 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 refers to the space from the end of the cell stack 3 to the end of the manifold 4 and the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 in the side surface of the manifold 4. It means the side which is orthogonal. At both ends of the cell stack 3, conductive members 5 having current extraction portions 9 for collecting the current generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 2 and drawing it to the outside are arranged.

  Here, the fuel cell 2 has a hollow flat plate shape having a gas flow path through which fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) flows in the longitudinal direction, and a fuel-side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and oxygen are formed on the surface of the support. A solid oxide fuel cell 2 in which side electrode layers are sequentially provided is illustrated.

  Further, the cell stack device 1 is configured to burn fuel gas that has not been used for power generation of the fuel cell 2 on the other end side of the fuel cell 2. Thereby, the temperature of the reformer 6 (the reforming chamber 10 and the vaporizing chamber 11) described later can be increased efficiently.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the reformer 6 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 that constitute the cell stack device 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the reformer 6 disposed on the other end side of the cell stack 3 so as to be separated from the cell stack 3 includes a vaporization chamber 11 that uses raw fuel supplied from outside as raw fuel gas whose temperature has increased. A reforming chamber 10 for reforming raw fuel gas into fuel gas is provided.

  The vaporization chamber 11 is composed of a box-shaped container, and is provided with a raw fuel inlet 16 to which raw fuel supplied from outside is supplied at the center of the upper surface, and is generated in the vaporization chamber 11 at the center of the bottom surface. A raw fuel gas outlet 12 is provided for delivering the raw fuel gas having a raised temperature.

  The reforming chamber 10 is composed of a box-shaped container, and a raw fuel gas inlet 13 through which the heated raw fuel gas generated in the vaporization chamber 11 flows is provided in the center of the upper surface. The reforming catalyst 15 is provided for reforming the raw fuel gas flowing in from the raw fuel gas inlet 13 into the fuel gas, and the generated fuel gas is placed at both ends along the cell arrangement direction of the container. A fuel gas outlet 14 for delivery is provided.

  The vaporization chamber 11 is disposed in contact with the upper surface of the reforming chamber 10 so that the raw fuel gas outlet 12 and the raw fuel gas inlet 13 of the reforming chamber 10 are in the same position in plan view. The raw fuel gas outlet 12 of the chamber 11 and the raw fuel gas inlet 13 of the reforming chamber 10 are directly connected. A raw fuel supply pipe 7 is connected to the raw fuel inlet 16 of the vaporization chamber 11, and each fuel gas inlet 17 (see FIG. 1) of the manifold 4 is connected to each fuel gas outlet 14 of the reforming chamber 10. A fuel gas supply pipe 8 for connection is connected. Note that the raw fuel gas outlet 12 of the vaporization chamber 11 and the raw fuel gas inlet 13 of the reforming chamber 10 are separated by an air-permeable wall (not shown).

  Examples of the raw fuel include hydrocarbon gas such as city gas and liquid fuel such as kerosene. The raw fuel is supplied from the raw fuel supply means to the raw fuel supply pipe 7 and is converted into a raw fuel gas whose temperature is increased in the vaporization chamber 11, and is supplied via the raw fuel gas outlet 12 and the raw fuel gas inlet 13. It flows into the reforming chamber 10. The raw fuel gas that has flowed into the reforming chamber 10 flows toward the fuel gas delivery ports 14 located at both ends along the cell arrangement direction, and is converted into fuel gas by the reforming catalyst 15 while flowing through the reforming chamber 10. Quality. The fuel gas generated in the reforming chamber 10 flows through the fuel gas supply pipe 8 and passes through the fuel gas delivery ports 17 provided at both ends along the cell arrangement direction of the manifold 4. The fuel cell 2 is supplied. When gaseous fuel such as hydrocarbon gas is used as the raw fuel, the raw fuel gas means a hydrocarbon gas, and the hydrocarbon gas supplied as the raw fuel is warmed in the vaporizing chamber 11. The heated hydrocarbon-based gas is supplied to the reforming chamber 10 as raw fuel gas.

  The cell stack apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the other end of one fuel gas supply pipe 8 connected to one fuel gas inlet 17 and the other end of the other fuel gas supply pipe 8 to the other. By connecting to the fuel gas inlet 18, the fuel gas generated in the reforming chamber 10 is supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3 from both ends of the manifold 4. Thereby, a sufficient amount of fuel gas can be supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved. That is, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved.

  Further, since the reforming chamber 10 (reformer 6) and the manifold 4 are connected by two fuel gas supply pipes 8, the reforming chamber 10 (reformer 6) and the manifold 4 are firmly connected. And the mechanical strength of the cell stack device 1 can be improved.

  As the reforming catalyst 15 provided in the reforming chamber 10, a reforming catalyst excellent in reforming efficiency and durability is preferably used. For example, a porous catalyst such as γ-alumina, α-alumina or cordierite is used. A reforming catalyst or the like in which a noble metal such as Ru or Pt or a base metal such as Ni or Fe is supported on a porous carrier can be used.

  Here, in the conventional fuel cell module 60 (see FIG. 9), the vaporizer 69 is provided above the fuel cell 62 at a predetermined interval (separated), so that the raw fuel having a low temperature is provided. Is supplied to the vaporization unit 69, the temperature of the fuel cell 62 located below the vaporization unit 69 decreases, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 63 may decrease.

  On the other hand, in the cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, since the vaporization chamber 11 is disposed above the reforming chamber 10, even when raw fuel having a low temperature is supplied, A decrease in temperature of the fuel cell 2 located below can be reduced, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved.

Here, when steam reforming is performed in the reforming chamber 10, raw fuel and water are supplied to the raw fuel supply pipe 7, and water is vaporized into steam in the vaporizing chamber 11. The raw fuel becomes raw fuel gas whose temperature has risen while flowing in the vaporizing chamber 11. The raw fuel gas and the steam whose temperature has risen flow into the reforming chamber 10 via the raw fuel gas outlet 12 and the raw fuel inlet 13, and steam reforming is performed by the reforming catalyst 15 in the reforming chamber 10. It is. At this time, if the size (volume) of the vaporizing chamber 11 is insufficient, the water is not sufficiently vaporized into water vapor, and water that has not been vaporized is supplied to the reforming chamber 10, and the water is reformed. The catalyst 15 may enter the pores of the catalyst 15. Here, the water that has entered the reforming catalyst 15 is vaporized as the temperature of the reforming catalyst 15 rises. However, the reforming catalyst 15 may be damaged at this time, resulting in deterioration of the reforming catalyst 15. There is a risk that.

  Here, in the cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the reforming chamber 10 and the vaporizing chamber 11 are provided separately (in FIG. 1, the vaporizing chamber 11 is disposed above the reforming chamber 10). Thus, the vaporization chamber 11 can be configured to have a sufficient size, and water can be efficiently vaporized in the vaporization chamber 11. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the supply of unvaporized water to the reforming chamber 10 and to reduce the deterioration of the reforming catalyst 15.

  In addition, when supplying water to the vaporization chamber 11, a water supply pipe can be provided separately from the raw fuel supply pipe 7. In this case, the raw fuel supply pipe 7 and the water supply pipe may be double pipes.

  In addition, since the reformer 6 has a configuration in which the reforming chamber 10 and the vaporizing chamber 11 are separated, the reforming chamber 10 can be provided over the entire upper surface of the cell stack 3, so that it is accommodated in the reforming chamber 10. The amount of the reforming catalyst 15 that can be increased can be increased, and fuel gas that has been sufficiently reformed can be supplied to the fuel cell 2.

  Here, with the power generation of the cell stack 3, there may be a temperature distribution in which the temperature on the center side in the cell arrangement direction of the cell stack 3 is high and the temperature on the end side is low. Even in such a case, the vaporization chamber 11 is disposed so as to contact the upper surface of the central portion of the reforming chamber 10, so that the central portion of the cell stack 3 is generated by the heat of vaporization when the liquid fuel or water as the raw fuel is vaporized. Therefore, the temperature distribution in the cell arrangement direction of the cell stack 3 can be reduced. Thereby, current concentration occurring in the fuel cell 2 having a high temperature can be reduced, and deterioration of the fuel cell 2 can be reduced. As a result, the cell stack device 1 with improved power generation efficiency (improved long-term reliability) can be obtained.

  Although not shown, the vaporizing chamber 11 may include a ceramic ball or the like in a box-shaped container. Thereby, the surface area in the vaporization chamber 11 can be increased, the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into a raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, and water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor.

  Further, in the cell stack apparatus 1, the example in which the vaporization chamber 11 is disposed so as to contact the upper surface of the reforming chamber 10 has been described, but the vaporization chamber 11 may be disposed so as to contact the side surface of the reforming chamber 10. You may arrange | position so that the bottom face of may be touched.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a part of a cell stack apparatus according to another example of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the reformer 18 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing.

  In the cell stack apparatus 19 shown in FIG. 3, the reforming chamber 10 and the vaporizing chamber 11 are arranged apart from each other, and the raw fuel gas inlet 13 of the reforming chamber 10 and the raw fuel gas outlet 12 of the vaporizing chamber 11 are provided. Except for being connected by the connecting member 20, it has the same configuration as the cell stack device 1 shown in FIGS.

The cell stack device 19 shown in FIG. 3 has the raw fuel inlet 13 of the reforming chamber 10 and the raw fuel gas outlet 12 of the vaporizing chamber 11 connected by a connecting member 20. It is possible to increase the surface area of the vaporizing chamber 11 and the reforming chamber 10 in contact with the combustion heat generated by burning the fuel gas not used for power generation on the end side, and the raw fuel whose temperature has been increased more efficiently. It can be fuel gas.

  More specifically, in the cell stack apparatus 19 shown in FIG. 3, the bottom area of the vaporization chamber 11 is improved as compared with the cell stack apparatus 1 arranged so that the vaporization chamber 11 is in contact with the upper surface of the reforming chamber 10. The area corresponding to the bottom area of the vaporizing chamber 11 of the quality chamber 10 and the area corresponding to the surface area of the connecting member 20 can be increased.

  As a result, the raw fuel gas whose temperature has been sufficiently raised can be supplied to the reforming chamber 10, the reforming reaction can be efficiently performed in the reforming chamber 10, and the cell stack device 19 with improved power generation efficiency is provided. can do.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a cell stack device according to still another example of the present invention.

  The cell stack apparatus 21 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with raw fuel inlets 23 at both ends of the upper surface of the vaporization chamber 11 along the cell arrangement direction, and a raw fuel supply pipe 22 is connected to each raw fuel inlet 23. The heating unit 24 is provided in the vaporizing chamber 11, and the temperature measuring unit of the temperature measuring unit is positioned in the vicinity of the raw fuel gas outlet 12 in the vaporizing chamber 11 and in the vicinity of the fuel gas outlet 14 in the reforming chamber 10. Further, the configuration is the same as that of the cell stack device 19 shown in FIG. 4 except that the temperature measuring means 26a and 26b are provided.

  In the cell stack device 21 shown in FIG. 5, the raw fuel inlets 23 are provided at both ends of the upper surface of the vaporization chamber 11, so that the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 22 is supplied to both ends of the vaporization chamber 11. Will flow toward the raw fuel gas delivery port 12 provided in the bottom center portion. As a result, the raw fuel can be more efficiently converted into a raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, and water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor. Therefore, the reforming reaction can be efficiently performed in the reforming chamber 10, and the cell stack device 21 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained.

In addition, since the raw fuel inlet 23 and the raw fuel outlet 12 are not in the same position in plan view (not in a vertical line shape), it is possible to reduce the direct flow of the raw fuel into the reforming chamber 10. Can do.

  In addition, the edge part along the cell arrangement direction of the vaporization chamber 11 means the side surface orthogonal to the cell arrangement direction among the edge part side along the cell arrangement direction on the upper surface of the vaporization chamber 11 and the side surface of the vaporization chamber 11. .

  In addition, since the distance that the raw fuel flows through the vaporization chamber 11 is increased, the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into the raw fuel gas whose temperature has been increased in the vaporization chamber 11, and water that has not been vaporized is improved. Intrusion into the pores of the reforming catalyst 15 disposed in the pristine chamber 10 can be reduced, thereby reducing damage to the reforming catalyst 15 due to vaporization of water in the reforming catalyst 15. can do. Thereby, the cell stack device 21 with improved power generation efficiency (improved long-term reliability) can be obtained.

  Furthermore, since the heating means 24 is provided in the vaporizing chamber 11, the vaporizing chamber 11 can be efficiently warmed even when the fuel cell device is operating at a low temperature such as when the fuel cell device is started up or during low power operation. The raw fuel can be made more efficiently into a raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, and water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor.

The heating means 24 may be a generally known one such as an electric heater,
As the temperature measuring means 26a and 26b, a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple can be used. In the fuel cell device including the fuel cell stack device of the present invention, the fuel cell device includes a control device that controls the operation of the heating means 24, and the control device uses the measured values of the temperature measuring means 26 a and 26 b to control the heating means 24. Control the behavior. An example of the control method of the heating means 24 will be shown below.

  When steam reforming is performed by the reformer 25 when the fuel cell device is started, the heating unit 24 is operated, and the temperature of the vaporization chamber 11 measured by the temperature measuring unit 26a reaches the first predetermined temperature. Then, water is supplied to the vaporizing chamber 11. The first predetermined temperature only needs to be a temperature at which water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor, and can be appropriately set at, for example, about 120 ° C to 350 ° C.

  When the temperature of the reforming chamber 10 (the temperature of the reforming catalyst 15) has not reached the temperature at which steam reforming is possible, steam reforming using steam generated in the vaporization chamber 11 is performed. Therefore, water may be supplied to the vaporizing chamber 11 after the temperature of the reforming chamber 11 measured by the temperature measuring means 26b becomes a temperature capable of steam reforming.

  Further, when the temperature of the reforming chamber 10 (the temperature of the reforming catalyst 15) is in a temperature range in which the water vapor generated in the vaporizing chamber 11 is condensed into water, the reforming catalyst 15 may be deteriorated. For this reason, water may be supplied to the vaporizing chamber 11 after the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means 26b reaches a temperature at which water vapor is not condensed into water.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the vaporizing chamber 11 rises, water can be vaporized without operating the heating unit 24. Therefore, the control device determines that the temperature of the vaporizing chamber 11 measured by the temperature measuring unit 26b is the first predetermined value. Control may be made so that the operation of the heating means 24 is stopped when a second predetermined temperature set higher than this temperature is reached. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack device 21 (fuel cell device) can be improved.

  Note that the second predetermined temperature may be a temperature at which water supplied to the vaporizing chamber 11 can be stably vaporized, and can be appropriately set at, for example, about 350 ° C. to 600 ° C.

  Here, since the steam reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction, the temperature of the reforming chamber 10 tends to decrease. Therefore, by providing the heating means 24 in the vaporization chamber 11, the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into a fuel gas having a raised temperature, and the fuel gas having a raised temperature flows into the reforming chamber 10. 10 (reforming catalyst 15) can be reduced in temperature. Thereby, steam reforming can be performed efficiently, and the cell stack device 22 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained. Note that a heating means can be provided in the reforming chamber 10 for the purpose of reducing the temperature drop of the reforming chamber 10 (reforming catalyst 15).

  In the cell stack devices 1, 19, and 21, an example in which the vaporization chamber 11 is configured such that the length of the vaporization chamber 11 in the cell arrangement direction is shorter than the length of the reforming chamber 10 in the cell arrangement direction. However, it may be longer than the length of the reforming chamber 10 in the cell arrangement direction. Even in that case, the vaporization chamber 11 having a sufficient size can be formed, and the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into the raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, and water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor. .

  FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the fuel cell module 27 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) of the present invention in which the above-described cell stack device 1 is stored in the storage container 28. In FIG. 6, the reformer 6 is connected to the inner surface of the upper wall of the storage container 28, and the cell stack device 1 is shown with the reformer 6 removed.

  Further, in the module 27 shown in FIG. 6, a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 28 is removed, and the cell stack device 1 (shown with the reformer 6 removed) shown in FIG. The state taken out backward is shown. Below, the storage container 28 which comprises the module 23 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the module 27. In the storage container 28 constituting the module 27, an outer frame of the storage container 28 is formed by the outer wall 25, and a power generation chamber 32 for storing the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) is formed therein.

  In such a storage container 28, air or exhaust gas is allowed to flow between the side portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3 and the outer wall of the storage container 28 facing the side portion. The flow path is provided.

  Here, in the storage container 28, a first wall 31 is formed inside the outer wall 30 with a predetermined interval, and a second wall 32 is arranged inside the first wall 31 with a predetermined interval. Further, a third wall 33 is arranged inside the second wall 32 with a predetermined interval.

  Thereby, the space formed by the outer wall 30 and the first wall 31 becomes the first flow path 34, and the space formed by the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 becomes the second flow path 35. Thus, the space formed by the first wall 31 and the second wall 32 becomes the third flow path 36.

  In the storage container 28 shown in FIG. 7, the upper end of the first wall 31 is connected to the second wall 32, and the second wall 32 is connected to the upper wall (outer wall 48) of the storage container 30. The upper end of the third wall 33 is connected to the second wall 32.

  In addition, an air supply pipe 37 for supplying air (oxygen-containing gas) into the storage container 28 is connected to the bottom of the storage container 28, and the air supplied from the air supply pipe 37 is an air introduction part 38. Flowing into. Since the air introduction part 38 is connected to the first flow path 34 by the air introduction port 39, the air flowing through the air introduction part 38 flows to the first flow path 34 through the air introduction port 39. The air flowing upward in the first flow path 34 flows into the second flow path 35 through the air circulation port 40 provided in the second wall 32. The air flowing downward through the second flow path 35 is supplied into the power generation chamber 42 through the air outlet 41 provided in the third wall 33.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 2 or the exhaust gas generated by burning the fuel gas not used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell 2 is the exhaust gas circulation provided on the second wall 32. It flows into the third flow path 36 through the port 43. The exhaust gas flowing downward through the third flow path 36 flows through the exhaust gas collection port 44 to the exhaust gas collection unit 45, and then passes through the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 connected to the exhaust gas collection unit 45 to the outside of the storage container 28. Exhausted.

  Therefore, the air supplied from the air introduction pipe 37 is heat-exchanged with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas collection unit 45 while flowing through the air introduction unit 38, and the third flow is passed through the first flow path 34. Heat exchange with the exhaust gas flowing through the passage 36 is performed, and heat exchange is performed with the heat in the power generation chamber 42 while flowing through the second flow passage 35.

7 shows an example in which the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 is located inside the air introduction pipe 37, but it is also possible to provide the air introduction pipe 37 so as to be located inside the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46. Further, the air introduction pipe 37 and the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 can be provided with their positions shifted.

  Here, in the module 27 shown in FIG. 7, the heat insulating material 47 (the heat insulating material 47 is indicated by hatching in the drawing) is fixed to the second channel 27 side in the third flow path 36. Has been placed. Thereby, the heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 35 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 36 can be reduced, and the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path 35 is reduced from decreasing. it can.

  Thereby, it is possible to reduce a decrease in the temperature of the air supplied to the fuel battery cell 2 and supply high-temperature air to the fuel battery cell 2, so that the module 27 with high power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  The heat insulating material 47 arranged in the third flow path 36 may preferably have a size larger than the outer shape of the side portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3. Thereby, heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 35 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 36 can be efficiently reduced.

  In addition to the third flow path 36, the heat insulating material 47 prevents the heat in the storage container 28 from being extremely dissipated so that the temperature of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) decreases and the power generation amount does not decrease. In FIG. 7, in addition to the third flow path 36, in addition to the third flow path 36, the bottom of the manifold 4, both side surfaces of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3), and the upper wall (outer wall 48) of the storage container 28. ) And the reformer 6.

  Here, in the heat insulating material 47 arranged on both side surfaces of the cell stack 3 (fuel cell 2), a hole for flowing air to the fuel cell 2 side is provided corresponding to the air outlet 41. It has been.

  The air supplied from the air outlet 41 into the power generation chamber 47 flows from the lower end side of the fuel cell 2 toward the upper end side, and the fuel cell 2 can efficiently generate power.

  The module 27 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained by storing the cell stack device 1 with improved power generation efficiency in the power generation chamber 42 of the storage container as described above.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention in which the module 27 shown in FIG. 7 and an auxiliary machine (not shown) for operating the module 27 are housed in an outer case. It is a perspective view. In FIG. 8, a part of the configuration is omitted.

  The fuel cell device 50 shown in FIG. 8 divides the inside of the exterior case composed of the support columns 51 and the exterior plate 52 by a partition plate 53, and the upper side thereof serves as a module housing chamber 54 that houses the module 27 described above. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary equipment storage chamber 55 for storing auxiliary equipment for operating the module 27 (cell stack device 1). Thereby, the compact fuel cell device 50 can be obtained. In addition, the auxiliary machine stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 55 is omitted.

  In addition, the partition plate 53 is provided with an air circulation port 56 for flowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 55 to the module storage chamber 54 side, and a part of the exterior plate 52 constituting the module storage chamber 54 An exhaust port 57 for exhausting air in the module storage chamber 54 is provided.

In such a fuel cell device 50, as described above, the fuel cell module 27 with improved power generation efficiency is stored in the module storage chamber 54, and an auxiliary machine for operating the fuel cell module 27 is an auxiliary machinery storage chamber 55. By being housed in the configuration, the fuel cell device 50 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  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, the raw fuel supply pipe 7 connected to the central portion of the upper surface of the vaporizing chamber 11 can be provided with a flow direction adjusting member for flowing to both ends of the vaporizing chamber 11. In this case, the distance between the raw fuel and water flowing through the vaporization chamber 11 can be increased, and the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into the raw fuel gas whose temperature has risen, and the water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor. be able to.

  In addition, as a flow direction adjusting member, in addition to a member having holes on the left and right of a cylindrical container having a bottom, a member that can appropriately flow air in two directions, such as a pipe having a tip divided into two hands, is used. Can do.

  In this case, the outlet of the flow adjustment direction member may be provided so as not to face the bottom surface of the vaporizing chamber 11. Thereby, the temperature of a part of the vaporizing chamber 11 is rapidly decreased, and it becomes difficult to make the raw fuel into a raw fuel having a raised temperature in the vaporizing chamber 11, and the vaporization efficiency of water can be improved. . Furthermore, the reforming efficiency in the reforming chamber 10 can be improved.

  An example in which the raw fuel gas inlet 13 through which the raw fuel gas sent from the vaporization chamber flows into the outer surface of the central portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 in the reforming chamber 11 is provided. However, for example, the connecting member 20 may be inserted up to the center of the reforming chamber 11 (inside the reforming chamber 11). In that case, the raw fuel can be efficiently supplied by sealing the tip of the connecting member 20 on the reforming chamber 11 side and providing a hole so that the raw fuel flows in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells.

  Further, for example, in the storage container 28, the outer wall 30 and the first wall 31 form a first flow path 34, and the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 form a second flow path 35. However, the third flow path 36 may be formed by the first wall 31 and the second wall 32, and the positions of the air circulation port 41 and the exhaust gas circulation port 43 can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, for example, an air flow passage that connects the first flow path 34 and the second flow path 35 may be provided between the first wall 31 and the second wall 32, and the second wall 32 and the second wall 32 may be provided. An exhaust gas flow passage that connects the power generation chamber 42 and the third flow path 33 may be provided between the third wall 33 and the third wall 33.

1, 19, 21, 68: Cell stack device 2, 62: Fuel cell 3, 63: Cell stack 4, 64: Manifold 6, 18, 25, 65: Reformer 7, 23, 66: Raw fuel supply pipe 8, 66: Fuel gas supply pipe 10: Reforming chamber 11: Vaporization chamber 12: Raw fuel gas outlet 13: Raw fuel gas inlet 14: Fuel gas outlet 15: Reforming catalyst 16: Raw fuel inlet 17: Fuel gas inlet 20: Connecting member 24: Heating means 26a, 26b: Temperature measuring means 27, 60: Fuel cell module 50: Fuel cell device

Claims (7)

A cell stack having a fuel gas flow path therein, in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells that generate power with fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas are arranged and electrically connected in a standing state; and A manifold for fixing one end of the fuel cell and supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and the fuel gas to be supplied to the manifold, which is spaced apart from the other end of the cell stack A cell stack device configured to burn the fuel gas that was not used for power generation on the other end side of the fuel cell, the reformer comprising: A raw fuel supplied from outside is used as a raw fuel gas whose temperature has been increased, and a vaporization chamber having a raw fuel gas delivery port for sending the raw fuel gas is provided, and a center along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. Said part A raw fuel gas inflow port through which the raw fuel gas sent from the gasification chamber flows, a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel gas into the fuel gas, and a fuel cell A reforming chamber provided with a fuel gas delivery port for delivering the fuel gas at both ends along the arrangement direction of
The manifold has a fuel gas inlet for the fuel gas sent from the reforming chamber to flow into both ends along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells,
Each of the fuel gas delivery ports and each of the fuel gas inflow ports are connected by a fuel gas supply pipe.   The vaporization chamber is disposed in contact with the upper surface of the reforming chamber, and the raw fuel gas delivery port of the vaporization chamber and the raw fuel gas inlet of the reforming chamber are directly connected. The cell stack device according to claim 1.   The cell stack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the raw fuel gas delivery port of the vaporization chamber and the raw fuel gas inlet port of the reforming chamber are connected by a connecting member.   The vaporization chamber is provided with a raw fuel inlet for receiving a raw fuel supplied from the outside on both sides along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. The cell stack apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the raw fuel gas delivery port is provided at a central portion along the line.   The cell stack apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heating unit in the vaporization chamber.   6. A fuel cell module comprising the cell stack device according to claim 1 housed in a housing container.   7. A fuel cell device comprising: the fuel cell module according to claim 6; and an auxiliary machine for operating the cell stack device, which is housed in an outer case.

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