JP5876336B2 - Power generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation apparatus such as a fuel cell apparatus or an engine type power generation apparatus that generates power based on an oxidation-reduction reaction.

  Prior art will be described for a fuel cell device which is a typical example of a power generation device. Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell device that can detect flooding. According to this, when the fuel cell device is submerged, water from the outside of the device enters a water container that stores reformed water corresponding to pure water used for hydrogen generation. Since the water that has entered contains impurities as compared with the reformed water, the conductivity of the reformed water in the water container is increased. By detecting an increase in the conductivity of the reforming water in the water container, it is detected that the fuel cell device has been submerged.

JP 2010-238467 A

  Since the water container that stores the reformed water needs to store the reformed water, in order for water from the outside to enter the water container, it must enter from the upper space of the water container. I don't get it. Therefore, if the height of the water container is sufficient to increase the amount of reformed water stored, flooding up to that height cannot be detected. For this reason, when there are electrical components below the water ingress portion of the water container, it is assumed that these electrical components and the like are submerged and fail before the fuel cell device detects submersion. Moreover, in order to avoid this, since it is necessary to install an electrical component etc. above the water entrance part of a water container, the layout of components, such as an electrical component, in the storage chamber of a housing | casing is restricted. In this case, there is a problem that the size of the housing increases more than necessary and the device package size increases.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above-mentioned situation, and makes it a subject to provide an electric power generating apparatus advantageous for detecting submergence at an early stage.

(1) A power generation apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a housing having a storage chamber, a power generation element disposed in the storage chamber, an auxiliary device disposed in the storage chamber and used for operation of the power generation element, a housing An earth leakage detector that is disposed on the body and stops the operation of the power generation element when the earth leakage is detected, and a wiring connection portion that electrically connects the first wiring electrically connected to the earth leakage detector and the second wiring connected to the auxiliary machine. Has
The wiring connection portion is exposed in the housing chamber at the initial submersion position where the power generation element is submerged earlier than the position of the power generation element in the housing chamber of the housing, and at a position below the position of the leakage detection device. It is arranged in a state, and an electric leakage state is intentionally formed in the early stage of flooding.

  The wiring connection part is disposed in an initial submergence position where the submergence chamber is submerged earlier than the position of the power generation element during submergence. Therefore, when the power generator is submerged, the wiring connection portion is submerged early in the initial stage of submergence. For this reason, the wiring connection portion intentionally forms a leakage state. For this reason, the control device including the leakage detection device connected to the wiring connection portion quickly detects flooding. In this case, it is preferable that the control device including the leakage detection device stops the operation of the power generation element and that the electrical connection between the commercial power source and the power generation device is cut off when the power generation device is connected to the commercial power source. The auxiliary device that is electrically connected to the leakage detection device via the first wiring, the wiring connection portion, and the second wiring is used for the operation of the power generation device (for example, at least one of start, power generation, and stop). It is. As an auxiliary machine, an auxiliary machine that is energized with alternating current is preferable, but in some cases, an auxiliary machine that is energized with direct current may be used.

  As the wiring connection portion, a connector for connecting the first wiring and the second wiring is preferable. However, in some cases, the lead wire portion at the tip of the first wire and the lead wire portion at the tip of the second wire are exposed to each other. A structure in which the wires are connected and connected may be used. The length of the connecting portion is preferably shorter. This is because it is possible to make direct contact with the submerged water even if it is short.

  (2) According to the power generation device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect, the power generation element is a fuel cell device having an anode to which fuel is supplied and a cathode to which an oxidant is supplied. The auxiliary machine connected to the second wiring through the second wiring is an anti-freezing electric heater for heating the reforming water to prevent freezing of the reforming water stored in the water container, and a combustion part of the fuel cell device at the start-up. One of an ignition electric heater for igniting and a combustion catalyst electric heater for heating a combustion catalyst for burning and purifying harmful components of exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell device. These auxiliary machines are often AC auxiliary machines.

  (3) According to the power generation device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect, the casing is wired to a height position equal to or higher than a predetermined height from the installation surface of the power generation device or from the bottom wall of the casing. A floating member for installing the connecting portion is provided in the accommodation chamber. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection that the water-wetting state is flooded when water is poured near the installation surface where the power generation device is installed, or when it is raining. As the predetermined height, a fixed value may be used, and it is also preferable that the predetermined height can be appropriately changed according to circumstances such as an installation surface on which the power generation device is installed.

(4) According to the power generation device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above aspect, the wiring connection portion is a connector, and the connector is electrically connected to the first connector portion having the first conductive portion and the first conductive portion. And a second connector portion having a second conductive portion that contacts the first connector portion and the second connector portion when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted and electrically connected. A minute gap is provided between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion so that water can enter at least one of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion during submergence. Since water can enter and contact the first conductive portion or the second conductive portion of the connector, flooding is detected early.

  (5) According to the power generation device according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the above aspect, the housing is formed by combining a plurality of panels, and the wiring connection portion is near the joint surface of the plurality of adjacent panels. Is provided. Since water can easily enter from a minute gap between the joint surfaces of a plurality of adjacent panels, flooding can be detected at an early stage. In consideration of the response of submergence detection, the shortest distance between the joint surface of the panel and the wiring connection portion is within 30 cm, preferably within 20 cm.

  According to the present invention, in a power generation device such as a fuel cell device, it is possible to detect submergence in the initial stage of submergence, so that the electrical connection between the commercial power source and the power generation device is interrupted and the power generation device is stopped as soon as possible. be able to. Further, according to the present invention, unlike the technique according to Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to install an electrical component above the water ingress portion of the water container, so that the layout of the components in the housing chamber is free. improves. Furthermore, an increase in the size of the housing and an increase in the size of the device package can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a fuel cell device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 2 and shows the concept of a fuel cell apparatus. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 3 and shows the concept of a fuel cell apparatus. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 4 and shows the concept of a fuel cell apparatus. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 5 and shows the concept of a connector. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 6 and shows the concept of a connector. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a connector according to the seventh embodiment. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 8 and shows the concept of a floating member. It is a figure which concerns on Embodiment 9 and shows the concept of an engine type electric power generating apparatus. It is a figure which shows the concept of the outdoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus concerning a reference form. It is a figure which shows the concept of a fuel cell apparatus concerning an application form.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is directed to a fuel cell device 200 that is a type of power generation device. The fuel cell device 200 is an outdoor installation type, and as shown in FIG. 1, a casing 300 having a storage chamber 301, a fuel cell 205 as a power generation element, and an auxiliary machine 400 disposed in the storage chamber 301. In addition, it includes a leakage breaker 500 (AC breaker) serving as a leakage detection device that stops the operation of the fuel cell 205 upon leakage detection, a control device 550 having a control unit 552, and a connector 600 serving as a wiring connection unit. The housing 300 has side walls 304 and 305, a ceiling wall 306, and a bottom wall 307 along the horizontal direction so as to partition the storage chamber 301. The fuel cell 205 has an anode to which a fuel fluid such as fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which an oxidant fluid such as air is supplied. The fuel cell 205 is not limited to a solid oxide fuel cell, and may be a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, or a molten carbonate fuel cell depending on circumstances.

  The storage chamber 301 is partitioned into an upper space 311 and a lower space 312 by a partition wall 308. The fuel cell 205 is provided in the upper space 311 in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. The auxiliary machine 400 is disposed in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300 and is used for at least one of starting, generating, and stopping the fuel cell 205. The auxiliary machine 400 includes a cathode gas pump that transports air to the cathode of the fuel cell 205, a reformed water pump that transports the reformed water in the water container 700 to the evaporation section to generate water vapor, and fuel gas (for example, city gas). Examples include a fuel gas pump that supplies an anode gas (hydrogen-containing gas) to the evaporation unit and the reforming unit of the fuel cell 205 and supplies the anode gas to the anode. In FIG. 1, these are collectively shown as an auxiliary machine 400 for simplification.

  The earth leakage breaker 500 is arranged together with the control unit 552 in the control device 550 accommodated in the accommodation chamber 301. The control device 550 and the commercial power source 503 are systematically connected through the earth leakage breaker 500 and the system line 501. The fuel cell device 200 can receive power from the commercial power source 503. The commercial power source 503 means a power source supplied by an electric power company. The control device 550 includes a control unit 552 that also serves as a power controller (power controller), an electrical component, a leakage breaker 500, and the like.

  The connector 600 functions as a wiring connection unit, and is electrically connected to the control unit 552 and thus to the earth leakage breaker 500 via the first wiring 611, and is a kind of auxiliary machine via the second wiring 612. It is electrically connected to an electric heater 702 for preventing freezing. That is, connector 600 electrically connects control device 550 including leakage breaker 500 and freeze prevention electric heater 702 (AC auxiliary machine) via first wiring 611 and second wiring 612. For this reason, the electric heater 702 for preventing freezing is fed (AC) via the first wiring 611, the connector 600, and the second wiring 612 from the control unit 552 of the control device 550. The anti-freezing electric heater 702 heats the reforming water to prevent freezing of the reforming water stored in the water container 700 (height dimension ha) in winter or in a cold region. It corresponds to an auxiliary machine and is provided on the bottom wall 307 side in the lower space 312 of the storage chamber 301. The reformed water means reforming water for steam reforming the fuel gas. The water container 700 stores the condensed water generated in the condenser 705 due to the power generation operation of the fuel cell 205 by flowing down by the gravity through the condensed water passage 705w. In order to cause the condensed water to flow down due to gravity, the water container 700 needs to be disposed below the bottom of the condenser 705. Therefore, the water container 700 is installed on the bottom wall 307 of the housing 300.

  According to the present embodiment, the connector 600 is disposed in the inundation initial position where the submergence is performed earlier than the positions of the fuel cell 205 and the auxiliary machine 400 during submergence in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. Accordingly, the connector 600 is installed on the bottom wall 307 side of the casing 300 so as to be positioned in the lower space 312 in the housing chamber 301 of the casing 300, particularly so as to be positioned below the lower space 312. Yes. As described above, the connector 600 is disposed at a position below the leakage breaker 500 and at a position above the bottom wall 307 so as to be exposed in the storage chamber 301. Such a connector 600 can quickly come into contact with water in the initial stage of flooding. For this reason, the connector 600 can intentionally quickly form a leakage state. The connector 600 includes a first connector 601 having a shell formed of hard resin, and a second connector 602 having a shell formed of hard resin.

  The first connector 601 and the second connector 602 are fitted and electrically connected to each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 552 of the control device 550 supplies power (alternating current) to the freezing prevention electric heater 702 via the first wiring 611, the connector 600, and the second wiring 612. In the initial stage of submergence, water can enter through a minute gap 617 at the boundary between the first connector 601 and the second connector 602 constituting the connector 600 to form a leakage state.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connector 600 is submerged in the initial stage of submergence in the housing 300 of the housing 300 at the time of submergence and submerged earlier than the position of the electrical system including the power generation device and the auxiliary device 400. Is arranged. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 200 is submerged, the connector 600 is submerged early in the initial stage of submergence, so that the connector 600 can intentionally form a leakage state early. For this reason, the earth leakage breaker 500 connected to the connector 600 can quickly detect the leakage state, and thus can quickly detect the flooding of the fuel cell device 200. In this case, the leakage breaker 500 for detecting overcurrent quickly cuts off the electrical connection between the commercial power source 503 and the fuel cell device 200. The control device 550 provided with the breaker 500 promptly and urgently stops the power generation operation (including start-up operation) of the fuel cell 205. That is, the control device 550 stops supplying the fuel gas to the evaporation unit, the reforming unit, and the anode of the fuel cell 205, and similarly stops supplying air as the cathode gas to the cathode of the fuel cell 205. Let The connector 600 has a non-waterproof structure and preferably does not have a seal member that prevents water from entering. This is because it is desirable to form an electrical leakage state at an early stage during flooding. The freeze-preventing electric heater 702 is mainly used in winter and the like, but the controller 550 including the breaker 500 can detect electric leakage when electric leakage occurs from the connector 600 even in summer.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the floating member 660 is provided in the storage chamber 301. The levitation member 660 causes the connector 600 to be installed at a height position where the levitation member 660 floats from the installation surface 201 where the fuel cell device 200 is installed. The floating member 660 is installed on the bottom wall 307 of the housing 300 and causes the connector 600 to float from the bottom wall 307. In addition, when the hole is formed in the bottom wall 307 of the housing | casing 300, the floating member 660 can be installed in the installation surface 201 which has installed the fuel cell apparatus 200 directly. The levitation member 660 may be shared with a member that fixes an auxiliary machine or the like.

  When a user or the like waters near the installation surface 201 where the fuel cell device 200 is installed, or when it rains lightly, the installation surface 201 becomes wet. In this case, such a wet state is not a problem unlike the initial stage of flooding. Since the connector 600 is levitated from the bottom wall 307 and the installation surface 201 by the levitating member 660, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection that the above-mentioned wet state is submersion. The connector 600 is disposed in the vicinity of the water container 700 so as to be positioned between the water container 700 and the breaker 500. However, even if water drops from the water container 700, the connector 600 is connected by the floating member 660. Since it floats from the bottom wall 307 and the installation surface 201, there is no trouble. The predetermined height H described above may be a fixed value or may be appropriately changed according to circumstances such as the installation surface 201 on which the fuel cell device 200 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of positioning protrusions 666 and 667 for positioning the connector 600 are provided on the floating member 660 as positioning portions. The positioning protrusion 666 positions the connector 600 in the arrow W direction (direction in which the connector portions 601 and 602 are fitted). The positioning projection 667 positions the connector 600 in a direction that intersects the arrow W direction. As a result, the connector 600 is prevented from falling off the floating member 600. In some cases, the positioning protrusions 666 and 667 can be eliminated.

  According to the present embodiment, unlike the technique according to Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to install components such as electrical components above the upper end 701 (water entry portion) of the water container 700. For this reason, the freedom of laying out components in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300 is improved. Furthermore, an increase in the size of the housing 300 and an increase in the size of the housing 300 can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and operational effects as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. An exhaust gas passage 250 for exhausting the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 205 to the outside is provided. A combustion catalyst 252 that burns and purifies harmful components (such as carbon monoxide) contained in the exhaust gas is provided in the exhaust gas passage 250. If the combustion catalyst 252 is at a low temperature, the purification function for purifying the exhaust gas cannot be obtained sufficiently. Therefore, when the temperature of the combustion catalyst 252 is excessively low, such as when the fuel cell device 200 is activated, the combustion catalyst electric heater 254 that combusts the combustion catalyst 252 serves as an auxiliary machine (AC auxiliary machine) as an exhaust gas passage. 250.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 600 is electrically connected to the control device 550 having the earth leakage breaker 500 via the first wiring 611, and is connected to the combustion catalyst electric heater 254, which is a kind of auxiliary equipment. The two wires 612 are electrically connected. That is, the connector 600 electrically connects the combustion catalyst electric heater 254 and the leakage breaker 500 via the first wiring 611 and the first wiring 611. As shown in FIG. 2, the combustion catalyst electric heater 254 is disposed above the connector 600 and the leakage breaker 500, and therefore the second wiring 612 extends along the vertical direction. The second wiring 612 may be naturally suspended by gravity, or may be fixed by an attachment or the like along the inner wall surface of the side wall 305 of the housing 300.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector 600 includes an electric system including the fuel cell device 200 and the auxiliary machine 400 during submergence in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. It is arranged at the initial flooding position where it floods earlier than the position of. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 200 is submerged, the connector 600 is submerged early in the initial stage of submergence, so that the connector 600 can intentionally form a leakage state. For this reason, the earth leakage breaker 500 connected to the connector 600 can quickly detect the earth leakage state, and thus can quickly detect the flood condition. In this case, the earth leakage breaker 500 interrupts the electrical connection between the commercial power source 503 and the fuel cell device 200. The control device 550 immediately stops the operation of the fuel cell 205. Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a floating member 660 for installing the connector 600 at a height position of a predetermined height H from the installation surface 201 of the power generator is accommodated in order to prevent erroneous detection of flooding. It is provided in the chamber 301. The floating member 660 is installed on the bottom wall 307 of the housing 300. The electric heater 254 is mainly used in the initial stage of operation, but the control device 550 including the breaker 500 can detect electric leakage when the connector 600 has electric leakage even after that.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and operational effects as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. An ignition electric heater 35 that ignites the combustion unit 105 of the fuel cell device 200 when the fuel cell device 200 is started up is provided as an auxiliary machine (AC auxiliary machine). The connector 600 is electrically connected to the leakage breaker 500 via the first wiring 611, and is connected to the ignition electric heater 35, which is a kind of auxiliary machine, via the second wiring 612. That is, the connector 600 electrically connects the ignition electric heater and the leakage breaker 500 via the first wiring 611 and the second wiring 612. The ignition electric heater 35 ignites the fuel gas to form a combustion flame in a state where the fuel gas and air are supplied to the combustion unit 105 of the fuel cell 205 when the fuel cell device 200 is started. Thus, the fuel cell 205, the reforming unit, the evaporation unit, and the like are heated. As a result, water vapor can be generated by evaporating the liquid phase reforming water in the evaporation section. The fuel gas can be steam reformed with steam in the reforming section. The fuel cell 205 can be brought into a power generation enabled state.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the connector 600 is in a submerged initial position where the submerged in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300 is submerged earlier than the positions of the fuel cell 205 and the auxiliary machine 400 during submergence. Has been placed. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 200 is submerged, the connector 600 is submerged early in the initial stage of submergence, so that water enters the connector 600 and the connector 600 can intentionally form a leakage state. . For this reason, the earth leakage breaker 500 connected to the connector 600 can quickly detect the earth leakage state caused by the flood. In this case, leakage breaker 500 interrupts the electrical connection between commercial power source 503 and fuel cell device 200, and control device 550 stops the power generation operation of fuel cell 205. The electric heater 35 is mainly used in the initial stage of operation, but the connector 600 can detect leakage even after that.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and operational effects as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. The connector 600 electrically connects the first wiring 611 that is electrically connected to the earth leakage breaker and the second wiring 612 that is connected to the electric heater 702 for preventing freezing. Further, a second connector 600B is provided on the second wiring 612. In the second wiring 612, the connectors 600 and 600B are electrically arranged in series. The housing 300 is formed by combining a plurality of panels 320, and the second connector 600B is provided in the vicinity of the joint surface of the plurality of panels 320 adjacent to each other. Therefore, the second connector 600 </ b> B is provided in the vicinity of the bottom wall 307 of the housing 300.

  At the time of submergence, water tends to enter from the minute gaps 322 between the joint surfaces of the plurality of adjacent panels 320. For this reason, the 2nd connector 600B can detect flooding at an early stage. Since both the connector 600 and the second connector 600B are electrically connected in series and are provided at a plurality of locations, the flooding can be detected at a plurality of locations, and the detection accuracy can be increased.

  However, as shown in FIG. 4, a floating member 660 that installs the connector 600 at a height that floats from the installation surface 201 of the fuel cell device 200 is provided in the storage chamber 301. A floating member 660 </ b> B that installs the second connector 600 </ b> B at a height position that rises from the installation surface 201 is provided in the accommodation chamber 301 on the bottom wall 307. Thereby, the erroneous detection of the flood is suppressed. Note that the vicinity of the joining surfaces of the panel 320 means that the shortest distance between the joining surface of the panel 320 and the connector 600 is within 30 cm, preferably within 20 cm.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and operational effects as the first to fourth embodiments. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 600 is a hard connector having a first connector 601 whose base material is a hard resin having a first conductive portion 603 and a second conductive portion 604 that can be electrically contacted with the first conductive portion 603. And a second connector 602 whose base material is resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the second connector 602 includes a concave portion 606 having an opening 605 and a second conductive portion 604 formed of a conductive material. The 1st connector 601 has the convex part 607 which can be fitted in the recessed part 606, and the 1st electroconductive part 603 formed with the electrically-conductive material. When the connector 600 is used, the first connector 601 and the second connector 602 are fitted and connected. At this time, the first conductive portion 603 and the second conductive portion 604 are in electrical contact. At the time of submergence, water enters the minute gap 617 in the boundary area between the first connector 601 and the second connector 602. The water can enter the first conductive portion 603 and the second conductive portion 604 to create a leakage state. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the 1st connector 601 and the 2nd connector 602 are fitted and connected along the horizontal direction. Therefore, basically, water enters along the horizontal direction at the initial stage of entry. It is preferable that the connector 600 has a non-waterproof structure and does not have a seal member that prevents water from entering the connector 60. This is because it is desired to make the electricity leak early.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment. This embodiment basically has the same configuration and effect as the first to fifth embodiments. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. As shown in FIG. 6, between the first connector 601 and the second connector 602, a passage groove 609 that functions as an inflow recess for allowing water to flow is formed. A start end 609 e in the length direction of the passage groove 609 is formed in a long groove shape on the outer wall surface of the first connector 601. The end 609f in the length direction of the passage groove 609 reaches or approaches the first conductive portion 603 side of the first connector 601, that is, the conductive portion of the mating connector portion. For this reason, even when the first connector 601 and the second connector 602 are closely fitted and connected, the flooded water passes through the passage groove 609 formed in the connector 600 and becomes the first conductive. The part 603 or the second conductive part 604 can be quickly reached. The responsiveness of entering the connector 600 can be improved. As a result, the connector 600 can quickly and actively form a leakage state.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and operational effects as the first to fourth embodiments. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the different parts. As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 606 having the opening 605 of the second connector 602 is opened upward in the vertical direction. The convex portion 607 of the second connector 602 is directed downward in the vertical direction. Thus, the first connector 601 and the second connector 602 are fitted and connected along the vertical direction. As described above, the concave portion 606 having the opening 605 into which the convex portion 607 of the first connector 601 enters downward is upward in the vertical direction. For this reason, at the time of flooding, water easily enters the boundary area between the first connector 601 and the second connector 602 from the recess 606 by gravity, which is advantageous for increasing the speed of entry into the connector 600. The water that has entered the connector 600 can enter the first conductive portion 603 or the second conductive portion 604. As a result, the connector 600 can quickly and actively form a leakage state.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 8 shows an eighth embodiment. The floating member 660 has a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the connector 600 in the height direction of the fuel cell device. That is, the levitation member 660 includes any of a plurality of leg portions 661 fixed to the bottom wall 307 of the housing 300 and a plurality of attachment holes 662, 663, 664 that function as height adjustment portions formed on the leg portions 661. An attachment / detachment tool 690 that is inserted and held and an elevating unit 669 that is placed on the attachment / detachment tool 690 are provided. The elevating part 669 carries the connector 600. A plurality of mounting holes 662 are arranged side by side along the height direction of the leg portion 661. If the attachment holes 662, 663, and 664 into which the attachment / detachment tool 690 is inserted are changed, the height position of the connector 600 is adjusted. At the time of installation or maintenance of the fuel cell device 200, the installer or the maintenance person estimates the situation of being submerged according to the installation surface 201 and selects one of the mounting holes 662, 663, 664 depending on the situation. You can do it. When it is desired to detect flooding as soon as possible regardless of whether the flooding is erroneously detected, the lowermost mounting hole 664 may be selected and the elevating part 669 may be placed on the attachment / detachment tool 690 held in the mounting hole 664. . When it is desired to prevent erroneous detection of flooding, the uppermost mounting hole 662 may be selected, and the elevating part 669 may be placed on the attachment / detachment tool 690 held in the mounting hole 662.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the elevating part 669 includes a plurality of positioning protrusions 666 and 667 for positioning the connector 600 as positioning parts. The positioning protrusion 666 positions the connector 600 in the arrow W direction (direction in which the connector portions 601 and 602 are fitted). By the positioning protrusion 667, the connector 600 is positioned in a direction intersecting the arrow W direction in the horizontal direction. As a result, the connector 600 is prevented from falling off the elevating part 662. Other mechanisms may be used as the lifting mechanism. Bolts and nuts may be used in place of the attachment / detachment tool 690. You may form using a rack and the pinion which meshes | engages with a rack. When the fuel cell device is installed, if the pinion is rotated according to the condition of the installation surface, the rack can be raised and lowered, and the connector 600 held by the rack can be raised and lowered.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 9 shows a ninth embodiment. This embodiment is applied to an engine type power generator. The engine power generator is an outdoor installation type, and as shown in FIG. 9, a power generation element is provided in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. The power generation element includes an engine 800 that is driven by fuel such as gas fuel, and a generator 810 that is rotationally driven by the engine 800 via a connecting shaft 801. When the generator 810 is driven to rotate, AC power is generated. An electric heater 490 (AC auxiliary device) is provided in the storage chamber 301 as an auxiliary device for preventing freezing of engine cooling water in winter or cold districts. The housing chamber 301 of the housing 300 is provided with a control device 550 on which a leakage breaker 500 is mounted as a leakage detection device that stops the operation of the power generation element when leakage detection is performed. Such a connector 600 is disposed in an inundation initial position where the inundation is performed earlier than the position of the electric system including the generator 810 and the electric heater 490 during submergence in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. As shown in FIG. 9, such a connector 600 is arranged in a state of being exposed on the bottom wall 307 side of the storage chamber 301 so as to be positioned below the leakage breaker 500. The connector 600 intentionally forms a leakage state in the initial stage of flooding. The housing 300 is formed by combining a plurality of panels 320. There is a possibility that water may enter the storage chamber 301 from the minute gaps 322 between the joint surfaces of the plurality of panels 320 adjacent to each other. For this reason, the connector 600 is provided in the vicinity of the joint surfaces of the plurality of adjacent panels 320. As a result, the connector 600 can create a leakage state in the early stage of flooding, and thus can detect the leakage state in the early stage of flooding. The vicinity of the bonding surfaces of the panel 320 means that the shortest distance between the bonding surface of the panel and the connector 600 is within 30 cm, preferably within 20 cm.

(Reference form)
FIG. 10 shows a reference form. As shown in FIG. 10, the gas engine heat pump apparatus is an outdoor installation type, and includes a housing 300 having a storage chamber 301, an engine 800 disposed in the storage chamber 301, and a connecting shaft 802 with the engine 800. A compressor 805 that is driven to rotate, and a control device 550 that is disposed in the housing 300 and has a leakage breaker 500 as a leakage detection device that stops the operation of the engine 800 and the compressor 805 when leakage detection is detected. The compressor 805 compresses the gaseous refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant passes through an air conditioning circuit 840 including a condenser, is supplied to an outdoor unit 850 including an evaporator, and performs an air conditioning operation (cooling operation).

  An electric heater 490 as an auxiliary machine for preventing engine cooling water from freezing is provided in the storage chamber 301. The connector 600 is electrically connected to the control device 550 via the first wiring 611, and thus connected to the leakage breaker 500. The connector 600 is electrically connected to the electric heater 490 via the second wiring 612. As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 600 is placed in the accommodation chamber 301 at the initial submergence position where the submergence is submerged early in the accommodation chamber 301 of the housing 300 and at a position below the leakage breaker 500. It is arranged in an exposed state, and an electric leakage state can be intentionally formed in the initial stage of flooding. Such a connector 600 is disposed in a state of being exposed on the bottom wall 307 side of the storage chamber 301 so as to be positioned below the earth leakage breaker 500.

  The housing 300 is formed by combining a plurality of panels 320. There is a possibility that water may enter the storage chamber 301 from the minute gaps 322 between the joint surfaces of the plurality of panels 320 adjacent to each other. For this reason, the connector 600 is provided in the vicinity of the joint surfaces of the plurality of adjacent panels 320. As a result, the connector 600 can create a leakage state in the early stage of flooding, and thus can detect the leakage state in the early stage of flooding. The vicinity of the joining surfaces of the panel 320 means that the shortest distance between the joining surface of the panel and the connector 600 is within 30 cm, preferably within 20 cm.

(Application 1)
FIG. 11 shows the concept of application form 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the fuel cell device reforms fuel using the fuel cell 1, an evaporation unit 2 that evaporates liquid phase water to generate water vapor, and water vapor generated in the evaporation unit 2. The reforming unit 3 that forms the anode gas, the water container 4 that stores liquid-phase water supplied to the evaporation unit 2, and the housing 5 that stores them. The fuel cell 1 includes an anode 10 and a cathode 11 that sandwich an ion conductor, and is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (operating temperature: 400 ° C. or more, for example) also called SOFC. The reforming unit 3 is formed by supporting a reforming catalyst on a carrier such as ceramics, and is adjacent to the evaporation unit 2. The reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2 constitute a reforming unit 2 </ b> A and are surrounded by the heat insulating wall 19 together with the fuel cell 1 to form a power generation module 18. In the power generation module 18, a combustion unit 105 that heats the reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2 is provided. The anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode 10 side is supplied to the combustion unit 105 via the flow path 103. The cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode 11 side is supplied to the combustion unit 105 via the flow path 104. At start-up, the combustion unit 105 burns the raw material gas before reforming supplied from the anode 10 with the cathode gas supplied from the cathode 11 and heats the evaporation unit 2 and the reforming unit 3.

  During the power generation operation, the combustion unit 105 burns the anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode 10 with the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode 11 and heats the evaporation unit 2 and the reforming unit 3. The combustion unit 105 is provided with an exhaust gas passage 75, and combustion exhaust gas including gas after combustion in the combustion unit 105 and unburned gas is released into the atmosphere through the exhaust gas passage 75. A temperature sensor 33 that detects the temperature of the reforming unit 3 is provided. An ignition electric heater 35 for igniting is provided in the combustion section 105. An outside air temperature sensor 57 that detects the temperature of the outside air is provided. Signals from the temperature sensors 33 and 57 are input to the control device 100X. The control device 100X outputs an alarm to the alarm device 102.

  During the power generation operation, the reforming section 2A is heated in the heat insulating wall 19 so as to be suitable for the reforming reaction. During the power generation operation, the evaporation unit 2 is heated so that water can be heated to steam. When the fuel cell 1 is of the SOFC type, the anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode 10 side and the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode 11 side burn in the combustion unit 105, so that the reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2 Heating is simultaneously performed inside the module 18. As shown in FIG. 11, the raw material gas passage 6 supplies the raw material gas from the gas source 63 to the reformer 2 </ b> A, and includes a pump 60 and a desulfurization device 65. The cathode 11 of the fuel cell 1 is connected to a cathode gas passage 70 for supplying cathode gas (air) to the cathode 11. The cathode gas passage 70 is provided with a cathode pump 71 that functions as a transport source for transporting the cathode gas.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 5 has an intake port 50 and an exhaust port 51 communicating with outside air, and further includes an upper chamber space 52 that is a first chamber and a lower chamber space 53 that is a second chamber. Have. The fuel cell 1 forms a power generation module 18 together with the reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2, and is accommodated in the upper side of the housing 5, that is, in the upper chamber space 52. In the lower chamber space 53 of the housing 5, a water container 4 for storing liquid phase water reformed by the reforming unit 3 is accommodated. The water container 4 is provided with a heating unit 40 having a heating function such as an electric heater. The heating unit 40 heats the water stored in the water container 4 and can be formed with an electric heater or the like. When the environmental temperature such as the outside air temperature is low, the water in the water container 4 is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher by the heating unit 40 based on a command from the control device 100X, and freezing is suppressed. As shown in FIG. 11, a water supply passage 8 that connects the outlet port 4p of the water container 4 on the lower chamber space 53 side and the inlet port 2i of the evaporation section 2 on the upper chamber space 52 side is provided as a pipe in the housing 5. Is provided. The water supply passage 8 is a passage through which water stored in the water container 4 is supplied from the water container 4 to the evaporation unit 2. The water supply passage 8 is provided with a pump 80 that functions as a water conveyance source for conveying water in the water container 4 to the evaporation unit 2. Further, the control device 100X controls the pumps 80, 71, 79, 60.

  When the pump 60 is driven at the time of starting the fuel cell device, the raw material gas from the raw material gas passage 6 passes through the evaporation section 2, the reforming section 3, the anode gas passage 73, the anode 10 of the fuel cell 1, and the flow path 103. It flows to the combustion unit 105. Cathode gas (air) flows to the combustion unit 105 via the cathode gas passage 70, the cathode 11, and the flow path 104 by the cathode pump 71. When the ignition electric heater 35 is ignited in this state, combustion occurs in the combustion unit 105, and the reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2 are heated. When the pump 80 is driven while the reforming unit 3 and the evaporation unit 2 are heated as described above, the water in the water container 4 is supplied from the outlet port 4p of the water container 4 toward the inlet port 2i of the evaporation unit 2. It is conveyed through the passage 8 and heated by the evaporation unit 2 to be steam. The steam moves to the reforming unit 3 together with the source gas supplied from the source gas passage 6. The raw material gas is reformed with water vapor in the reforming unit 3 to become an anode gas (hydrogen-containing gas). The anode gas is supplied to the anode 10 of the fuel cell 1 through the anode gas passage 73. Further, cathode gas (oxygen-containing gas, air in the case 5) is supplied to the cathode 11 of the fuel cell 1 through the cathode gas passage 70. Thereby, the fuel cell 1 generates electric power. The anode off-gas discharged from the anode 10 and the cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode 11 pass through the flow paths 103 and 104, reach the combustion unit 105, and are combusted in the combustion unit 105. The hot exhaust gas is discharged outside the case 5 through the exhaust gas passage 75.

When the pump 80 is driven during the power generation operation of the fuel cell device described above, the water in the water container 4 is conveyed through the water supply passage 8 from the outlet port 4p of the water container 4 toward the inlet port 2i of the evaporation unit 2. Then, it is heated in the evaporating unit 2 to be steam. The steam moves to the reforming unit 3 together with the source gas supplied from the source gas passage 6. In the reforming unit 3, the fuel is reformed with water vapor to become an anode gas (hydrogen-containing gas). When the fuel is methane-based, the generation of anode gas by steam reforming is considered to be based on the following equation (1). However, the fuel is not limited to methane.
(1) ... CH ₄ + 2H ₂ O → 4H ₂ + CO ₂
CH ₄ + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO
The generated anode gas is supplied to the anode 10 of the fuel cell 1 through the anode gas passage 73. Further, cathode gas (oxygen-containing gas, air in the housing 5) is supplied to the cathode 11 of the fuel cell 1 through the cathode gas passage 70. Thereby, the fuel cell 1 generates electric power. The high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 1 is discharged outside the housing 5 through the exhaust gas passage 75.

  The exhaust gas passage 75 is provided with a heat exchanger 76 having a condensation function. A hot water storage passage 78 and a hot water storage pump 79 connected to the hot water storage tank 77 are provided. The hot water storage passage 78 has an outward path 78a and a return path 78c. The low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 77 is discharged from the discharge port 77p of the hot water storage tank 77 by the drive of the hot water storage pump 79, passes through the forward path 78a, reaches the heat exchanger 76, and is heated by the heat exchanger 76. The hot water heated by the heat exchanger 76 returns to the hot water storage tank 77 from the return port 77i via the return path 78c. In this way, the water in the hot water storage tank 77 becomes warm water. The water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is condensed in the heat exchanger 76 to become condensed water. Condensed water is supplied to the water purifier 43 by gravity or the like through a condensed water passage 42 extending from the heat exchanger 76. Since the water purifier 43 has a water purifying agent 43a such as an ion exchange resin, impurities of condensed water are removed. The water from which the impurities have been removed moves to the water container 4 and is stored in the water container 4. When the pump 80 is driven, the water in the water container 4 is supplied to the high-temperature evaporation unit 2 through the water supply passage 8, converted into water vapor in the evaporation unit 2, and supplied to the reforming unit 3. It is consumed as a reforming reaction for reforming.

  Now, according to this application mode, as shown in FIG. 11, the connector 600 is a connector that feeds power to the heating unit 40 formed of an electric heater, is connected to the breaker 500, and is contained in the housing chamber 301 of the housing 300. Of these, it is placed at the initial flooding position where it floods earlier than the electrical system during flooding. Therefore, when the fuel cell device 200 is submerged, the connector 600 is submerged early in the initial stage of submergence, so that the connector 600 can intentionally form a leakage state. For this reason, the earth leakage breaker 500 connected to the connector 600 can detect the earth leakage state, and as a result, the state where the fuel cell device is submerged can be quickly detected. In this case, the control device 100X including the breaker 500 promptly and urgently stops the operation of the fuel cell device, interrupts the electrical connection between the commercial power source and the fuel cell device, and further outputs an alarm signal to the alarm device 102. To do. In operation of the fuel cell device, supply of fuel gas to the evaporation unit 2, reforming unit 3, and anode 10 of the fuel cell 1 is stopped, and air as cathode gas is supplied to the cathode 11 of the fuel cell 1. Stop.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the floating member 660 is provided. The floating member 660 is installed on the bottom wall 5d of the housing 5 and causes the connector 600 to float from the bottom wall 5d. When water or the like is applied near the installation surface 201 where the fuel cell device is installed, or when light rain falls, the installation surface 201 or the like becomes wet. In this case, such a wet state is different from flooding. Since the connector 600 is levitated by the levitating member 660, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection that the above-described wet state is submersion. This is because the connector 600 is levitated by the levitating member 660. The flying member 660 is preferably adjustable in height of the connector 600.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to only the embodiments and application modes described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not departing from the gist. The fuel cell is not limited to a solid oxide fuel cell, and may be a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, or a molten carbonate fuel cell depending on circumstances. The source gas is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include city gas, propane gas, biogas, LPG gas, and CNG gas. Although the auxiliary machine connected to the connector is an AC auxiliary machine, it may be a DC auxiliary machine as long as it has a leakage detection function in the circuit including the control device. The housing is not formed of a panel, and may be formed of an integrated sheet metal product. The power generation device such as a fuel cell device is an outdoor installation type, but may be installed indoors as long as the exhaust gas can be discharged outdoors. In all the embodiments, it is preferable that the height of the floating member 660 can be adjusted. Although the power generation device according to the present invention is an outdoor installation type, as long as there is a possibility of flooding indoors, the indoor installation type may be targeted, and in short, installed in a place where there is a possibility of flooding.

  1 is a fuel cell, 10 is an anode, 11 is a cathode, 2 is an evaporation unit, 3 is a reforming unit, 18 is a power generation module, 19 is a heat insulating wall, 60 is a pump (gas transport source), 70 is a cathode gas passage, 73 Is an anode gas passage, 100X is a control unit, 6 is a raw material gas passage, 200 is a fuel cell device (power generation device), 300 is a housing, 301 is a storage chamber, 311 is an upper space, 312 is a lower space, and 400 is an auxiliary machine , 500 is a breaker (leakage detection device), 501 is a system line, 503 is a commercial power supply, 550 is a control device, 552 is a control unit, 600 is a connector (wiring connection unit), 601 is a first connector unit, and 602 is a second unit. Connector portion, 603 is a first conductive portion, 604 is a second conductive portion, 606 is a concave portion, 607 is a convex portion, 611 is a first wiring, 612 is a second wiring, 660 is a floating member, 700 is a water container, 702 is Freeze protection Use an electric heater, 254 a combustion catalyst for electric heater, 800 engine, 810 denotes a generator.

Claims (5)

A housing having a storage chamber, a power generation element disposed in the storage chamber, an auxiliary device disposed in the storage chamber and used for operation of the power generation element, and the power generation element disposed in the housing when a leakage is detected A control device including a leakage detection device that stops the operation of the power supply, and a wiring connection portion that electrically connects a first wiring that is electrically connected to the leakage detection device and a second wiring that is connected to the auxiliary machine. And
The wiring connection portion is
Of the housing chamber of the housing, exposed to the housing chamber at a submerged initial position where the submersion is submerged earlier than the position of the power generation element at the time of submergence, and at a position below the position of the leakage detector. A power generation device that is arranged in a state and intentionally forms a leakage state in the early stage of flooding. 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation element includes an anode to which fuel is supplied and a cathode to which an oxidant is supplied.
The auxiliary machine connected to the wiring connection portion via the second wiring includes an antifreeze electric heater that heats the reforming water stored in a water container and the fuel at startup. One of an ignition electric heater that ignites the combustion part of the battery device and an electric heater for combustion catalyst that heats the combustion catalyst that burns and purifies the harmful components of the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell device Is a power generator.   3. The floating member according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with a floating member that installs the wiring connection portion at a height position equal to or higher than a predetermined height from an installation surface of the power generation device or from a bottom wall of the casing. A power generation device provided in the storage room. In one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire connecting portion is a connector, the connector includes a first connector portion having a first conductive portion, a second conductive for electrical contact with the first conductive portion A second connector portion having a portion,
When the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted and electrically connected, a minute gap is provided between the first connector portion and the second connector portion. A power generator that allows water to enter at least one of one conductive part and the second conductive part.   5. The power generation according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed by combining a plurality of panels, and the wiring connection portion is provided in the vicinity of a joint surface of the plurality of adjacent panels. apparatus.

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