JP6141665B2 - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and an oxygen-containing gas (air) are arranged is known. Various fuel cell modules in which a cell stack is stored in a storage container and fuel cell devices in which a fuel cell module is stored in an outer case have been proposed.

  Such a fuel cell device is provided with a reformer that reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and the reformer is efficient. It is known to perform steam reforming, which is a good reforming reaction.

  Further, in such a cogeneration system in which a fuel cell device and a water heater are combined, heat exchange is performed between the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module and water, and the water contained in the exhaust gas at the time of this heat exchange. Is produced as condensed water.

  And the condensed water produced | generated by heat exchange produces | generates a pure water by a water treatment apparatus succeedingly, and the produced | generated pure water is once stored in a water tank, and is supplied to a reformer by a water pump. In the reformer, steam reforming is performed using water supplied from a water pump. After the generated fuel gas containing water vapor is used for power generation in the fuel cell, it is discharged from the fuel cell module. With the configuration described above, a fuel cell device capable of water self-sustained operation is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-9808 A

  By the way, in such a fuel cell device, bubbles may be generated in the connection pipe connecting the water treatment device and the water tank, the flow of water is blocked by the bubbles, and the water level of the water tank is lowered. In some cases, the operation of the fuel cell device may be stopped.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device that can suppress air bubbles from remaining in a connection pipe that connects a water treatment device and a water tank, and has improved long-term reliability.

A fuel cell device of the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates power with a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a reformer capable of a steam reforming reaction for generating fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and A water treatment device that purifies water to be supplied to the reformer, a water tank that is treated by the water treatment device and stores water to be supplied to the reformer, the water treatment device, and the water A connecting pipe for connecting to the tank, the connecting pipe being connected so that the upper end on the water tank side is higher than the upper end on the water treatment apparatus side, and at least the direction of water flow on the inner surface upper side along the can, and wherein the connecting inclined continuously between the water tank and the water treatment equipment.

The fuel cell device of the present invention can suppress the bubbles from staying in the connection pipe even if the water supplied to the water tank through the connection pipe from the water treatment device contains bubbles, A fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a fuel cell system provided with the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module which comprises the fuel cell system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. 2. It is a conceptual diagram shown about the water treatment apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment, a water tank, and the connection piping which connects a water treatment apparatus and a water tank, (a) is the example, (b) is other An example is shown. It is a conceptual diagram shown about other examples of the water treatment apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment, a water tank, and the connection piping which connects a water treatment apparatus and a water tank. It is a conceptual diagram shown about another example of the water treatment apparatus which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment, a water tank, and the connection piping which connects a water treatment apparatus and a water tank, (a) is the example, b) shows another example.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fuel cell system including the fuel cell device of the present embodiment. The fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 includes a power generation unit that is an example of the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, a hot water storage unit that stores hot water after heat exchange, and a circulation pipe that circulates water between these units. It is composed of In the following drawings, the same components are described using the same reference numerals.

  A power generation unit shown in FIG. 1 includes a cell stack 5 formed by combining a plurality of fuel cells having a fuel electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an oxygen electrode layer, a raw fuel supply unit 1 that supplies raw fuel such as city gas, and the like. An oxygen-containing gas supply unit 2 for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cells constituting the stack 5 and a reformer 3 for steam-reforming the raw fuel with the raw fuel and steam are provided. In the power generation unit shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell module 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) is configured by storing the cell stack 5 and the reformer 3 in a storage container. It is surrounded by a two-dot chain line. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a purification device for purifying exhaust gas that has not been used for power generation discharged from the cell stack 5 and an ignition device for burning fuel gas that has not been used for power generation. Can be provided.

  Further, in the power generation unit shown in FIG. 1, a circulation pipe 15 that circulates water to a heat exchanger 8 that performs heat exchange between exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by power generation of fuel cells constituting the cell stack 5 and water. A water treatment device 9 for treating the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 8 with pure water, and a water tank 11 for storing water (pure water) treated with the water treatment device 9 are provided. The water tank 11 and the heat exchanger 8 are connected by a condensed water supply pipe 10. In addition, as the water treatment apparatus 9, it is preferable to use an ion exchange resin apparatus provided with an ion exchange resin.

  The water stored in the water tank 11 is supplied to the reformer 3 by a water pump 12 provided in a water supply pipe 13 that connects the water tank 11 and the reformer 3.

Further, the power generation unit shown in FIG. 1 converts the DC power generated by the module 4 into AC power, and adjusts the supply amount of the converted electricity to the external load (power conditioner). 6. In addition to an outlet water temperature sensor 14 for measuring the water temperature of water (circulated water flow) provided at the outlet of the heat exchanger 8 and flowing through the outlet of the heat exchanger 8, a controller 7 for controlling the operation of various devices The power generation unit is configured together with a circulation pump 17 that circulates water in the circulation pipe 15. And each apparatus which comprises these electric power generation units can be set as a fuel cell apparatus with easy installation, carrying, etc. by accommodating in an exterior case. The hot water storage unit includes a hot water storage tank 16 for storing hot water after heat exchange.

  Here, an operation method of the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  In generating fuel gas necessary for power generation of the cell stack 5, the control device 7 operates the raw fuel supply unit 1 and the water pump 12. As a result, raw fuel (natural gas, kerosene, etc.) and water are supplied to the reformer 3, and by performing steam reforming in the reformer 3, a fuel gas containing hydrogen is generated and the fuel cell. Supplied to the fuel electrode layer side.

  On the other hand, the control device 7 operates the oxygen-containing gas supply unit 2 to supply oxygen-containing gas (air) to the oxygen electrode layer side of the fuel cell.

  The control device 7 operates an ignition device (not shown) in the module 4 to burn fuel gas that has not been used for power generation of the cell stack 5. Thereby, the temperature in the module (the temperature of the cell stack 5 and the reformer 3) rises, and efficient power generation can be performed.

  The exhaust gas generated with the power generation of the cell stack 5 is purified by the purification device, then supplied to the heat exchanger 8 and heat-exchanged with water flowing through the circulation pipe 15. Hot water generated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 8 flows through the circulation pipe 15 and is stored in the hot water storage tank 16. On the other hand, water contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the cell stack 5 by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 8 becomes condensed water and is supplied to the water treatment device 9 through the condensed water supply pipe 10. The condensed water is made pure water by the water treatment device 9 and supplied to the water tank 11. The water stored in the water tank 11 is supplied to the reformer 3 by the water pump 12 via the water supply pipe 13. Thus, water self-sustained operation can be performed by effectively using condensed water.

  In the above-described example, the fuel cell device configured to supply only the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 8 to the reformer 3 has been described. Can also be used. In this case, as a water treatment device for treating impurities contained in tap water, for example, an activated carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane device, an ion exchange resin device, etc. are connected in this order to efficiently purify pure water. be able to. In addition, also when using tap water, each apparatus is connected so that the pure water produced | generated with the water treatment apparatus may be stored in the water tank 11. FIG.

  Next, an example of the module 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 2 and 3 show an example of the module 4 constituting the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the module 4, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the module 4 shown in FIG. is there.

In the module 4 shown in FIG. 2, columnar fuel cells 19 having gas flow paths (not shown) through which fuel gas flows are arranged in a row inside the storage container 18. The adjacent fuel cells 19 are electrically connected in series via current collecting members (not shown), and the lower end of the fuel cells 19 is connected to an insulating bonding material (not shown) such as a glass sealant. The cell stack device 21 having two cell stacks 5 fixed to the manifold 20 is housed. At both ends of the cell stack 5, conductive members having electrical lead portions for collecting the electricity generated by the power generation of the cell stack 5 (fuel cell 19) and drawing it outside are disposed ( Not shown). 2 shows the case where the cell stack device 21 includes two cell stacks 5, the number can be changed as appropriate. For example, even if only one cell stack 5 is provided. Good. The storage container 18 is provided with a thermocouple 28 that is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the module 4.

  In FIG. 2, the fuel battery cell 19 is a hollow flat plate type having a gas flow path through which fuel gas flows in the longitudinal direction. A fuel electrode layer, a solid electrolyte is formed on the surface of a support having the gas flow path. A solid oxide fuel cell 19 in which a layer and an oxygen electrode layer are sequentially laminated is illustrated. In addition, in the fuel battery cell 19, it is also possible to have a shape having a gas flow path through which the oxygen-containing gas flows in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the oxygen electrode layer, the solid electrolyte layer, and the fuel electrode layer are sequentially arranged from the inside. The configuration of the module 4 may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the fuel cell is not limited to the hollow plate type, and may be a plate type or a cylindrical type, for example, and it is preferable to change the shape of the storage container 18 as appropriate.

  Further, in the module 4 shown in FIG. 2, in order to obtain the fuel gas used in the power generation of the fuel battery cell 19, the raw fuel such as city gas supplied through the raw fuel supply pipe 25 is reformed to produce the fuel gas. A reformer 3 for generating gas is disposed above the cell stack 5. In addition, the reformer 3 can have a structure capable of performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction, and a reforming unit 23 for vaporizing water and reforming raw fuel into fuel gas. And a reforming section 22 in which a reforming catalyst (not shown) is disposed.

  The fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) generated by the reformer 3 is supplied to the manifold 20 via the fuel gas circulation pipe 24 and is supplied from the manifold 20 to the gas flow path provided inside the fuel battery cell 19. Supplied. The configuration of the cell stack device 21 can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and shape of the fuel battery cell 19. For example, the reformer 3 can be included in the cell stack device 21.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 18 is removed and the cell stack device 21 stored inside is taken out rearward. Here, in the module 4 shown in FIG. 2, the cell stack device 21 can be slid and stored in the storage container 18.

  The reaction container 18 is disposed between the cell stacks 5 juxtaposed to the manifold 20 and is reacted inside the storage container 18 so that the oxygen-containing gas flows laterally from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion of the fuel cell 19. A gas introduction member 26 is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage container 18 constituting the module 4 has a double structure having an inner wall 29 and an outer wall 30, and an outer frame of the storage container 18 is formed by the outer wall 30, and a cell stack is formed by the inner wall 29. A power generation chamber 31 that houses the device 21 is formed. Further, in the storage container 18, a reaction gas flow path 36 is supplied between the inner wall 29 and the outer wall 30 from the bottom of the module 4 and through which oxygen-containing gas introduced into the fuel cell 19 flows. The oxygen-containing gas is supplied from an oxygen-containing gas supply port (not shown) provided at the bottom of the module 4 and flows through the reaction gas channel 36.

  Here, the storage container 18 is provided with an oxygen-containing gas inlet (not shown) for allowing oxygen-containing gas to flow into the upper end side from the upper portion of the storage container 18 and a flange portion 39, and a fuel at the lower end portion. A reaction gas introduction member 26 provided with a reaction gas outlet 32 for introducing an oxygen-containing gas at the lower end of the battery cell 19 is inserted through the inner wall 29 and fixed. A heat insulating member 33 is disposed between the flange portion 39 and the inner wall 29.

  In FIG. 3, the reaction gas introduction member 26 is disposed so as to be positioned between two cell stacks 5 juxtaposed inside the storage container 18, but is appropriately disposed depending on the number of cell stacks 5. be able to. For example, when only one cell stack 5 is stored in the storage container 18, two reaction gas introduction members 26 can be provided so that the cell stack 5 is sandwiched from both side surfaces.

  Further, in the power generation chamber 31, the temperature in the module 4 is maintained at a high temperature so that the heat in the module 4 is extremely dissipated and the temperature of the fuel cell 19 (cell stack 5) is lowered and the power generation amount is not reduced. A heat insulating member 33 is appropriately provided.

  The heat insulating member 33 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the cell stack 5. In particular, the heat insulating member 33 is disposed on the side surface side of the cell stack 5 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 19, and the fuel cell unit on the side surface of the cell stack 5. It is preferable to arrange the heat insulating member 33 having a width equal to or greater than the width along the 19 arrangement directions. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the heat insulating members 33 on both side surfaces of the cell stack 5. Thereby, it can suppress effectively that the temperature of the cell stack 5 falls. Furthermore, the oxygen-containing gas introduced from the reaction gas introduction member 26 can be suppressed from being discharged from the side surface side of the cell stack 5, and the flow of the oxygen-containing gas between the fuel cells 19 constituting the cell stack 5 can be reduced. Can be promoted. In the heat insulating members 33 arranged on both side surfaces of the cell stack 5, the flow of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell 19 is adjusted, and the longitudinal direction of the cell stack 5 and the stacking direction of the fuel cell 19 are adjusted. An opening 34 is provided to reduce the temperature distribution at. Note that the opening 34 may be formed by combining a plurality of heat insulating members 33.

  Further, an exhaust gas inner wall 35 is provided on the inner side of the inner wall 29 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 19, and the exhaust gas in the power generation chamber 31 extends from above between the inner wall 29 and the exhaust gas inner wall 35. The exhaust gas flow path 37 flows downward. The exhaust gas passage 37 communicates with an exhaust hole 40 provided at the bottom of the storage container 18. A heat insulating member 33 is also provided on the exhaust gas inner wall 35 on the cell stack 5 side.

  Thereby, the exhaust gas generated by the operation of the module 4 flows through the exhaust gas passage 37 and is then exhausted from the exhaust hole 40. The exhaust hole 40 may be formed by cutting out a part of the bottom of the storage container 18 or may be formed by providing a tubular member. Further, a purification device (for example, a honeycomb-like combustion catalyst or the like) for purifying exhaust gas discharged from the module 4 can be provided in the exhaust hole 40.

  Although not shown, in the module 4, an ignition device for igniting the fuel gas that has passed through the fuel battery cell 19 is positioned between the fuel battery cell 19 and the reformer 3. It is preferably inserted from the side surface of the storage container 2. In addition, by igniting the fuel gas that has passed through the fuel cell 19 by the ignition device, the temperature in the module 4 can be increased, and the temperature of the fuel cell 19 and the reformer 3 is maintained at a high temperature. be able to.

  By the way, in the fuel cell device described above, the pure water generated in the water treatment device 9 is stored in the water tank 11, and the water stored in the water tank 11 is supplied to the reformer 3 by the water pump 12. However, bubbles are generated in the condensed water supply pipe 10 that connects the water treatment apparatus 9 and the water tank 11 (hereinafter, the condensed water supply pipe 10 that connects the water treatment apparatus 9 and the water tank 11 is referred to as a connection pipe). In some cases, the flow of water supplied from the water treatment device 9 is blocked by the bubbles, the water level of the water tank 11 is lowered, and in some cases, the operation of the fuel cell device may be stopped.

  Therefore, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, the connection pipe has a bubble circulation promoting unit for flowing bubbles contained in the water supplied from the water treatment device 9 to the water tank 11 side or outside. Yes. Thereby, even if the water supplied from the water treatment device 11 contains bubbles, it is possible to suppress the bubbles from staying in the connection pipe, and to provide a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability. it can. Below, the example of connection piping is demonstrated using drawing.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a water treatment device, a water tank, and a connection pipe connecting the water treatment device and the water tank constituting the fuel cell device of the present embodiment. ) Shows another example.

  The connection pipe 41 shown in FIG. 4A is connected such that the upper end on the water tank 11 side is higher than the upper end on the water treatment device 9 side. In other words, it is provided so as to be inclined so that the water tank 11 side is positioned upward. Thereby, since the water supplied from the water treatment device 9 is supplied to the upper side of the water tank 11, the water storage capacity of the water tank 11 can be increased.

  Here, when air bubbles are included in the water supplied from the water treatment device 9, the air bubbles flow toward the water tank 11 along the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface of the connection pipe 41. That is, in the connection pipe 41 shown in FIG. 4A, the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface of the connection pipe 41 is the bubble circulation promoting portion 43.

  Therefore, even when bubbles are contained in the water supplied from the water treatment device 9, the bubbles flow efficiently to the water tank 11 side by the bubble circulation promoting unit 43, so that the bubbles enter the connection pipe 41. It can suppress staying and it can suppress that supply of the water of the water treatment apparatus 9 is interrupted | blocked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a drop in the water level of the water tank 11 and to obtain a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability.

  When the connection pipe 41 is provided so that the upper end on the water tank 11 side is higher than the upper end on the water treatment apparatus 9 side, the inclination angle depends on the size of the water treatment apparatus 9 and the water tank 11 and the connection pipe. 41 can be set as appropriate based on the size of the inner diameter of 41, but the water of the water treatment device 9 can be efficiently supplied to the water tank 11 (bubbles flow efficiently toward the water tank 11), What is necessary is just to set so that it may flow to the water tank 11 side efficiently. Therefore, for example, the connection pipe 41 is preferably connected so that the inclination angle is, for example, 10 ° or more. Thereby, the bubbles contained in the water supplied from the water supply device 9 can be efficiently caused to flow toward the water tank 11, and the bubbles can be prevented from staying in the connection pipe 41.

  Further, the water tank 11 is provided with a drain pipe 43 for discharging (overflow) excess water stored in the water tank on the upper side thereof.

  Here, it is preferable that the upper end of the connection pipe 41 is connected so as to be lower than the lower end of the drain pipe 43 (in FIG. 4, the position of the lower end of the drain pipe 43 is indicated by a broken line). Thereby, since the air bubbles flowing from the connection pipe 41 to the water tank 11 can be efficiently flowed to the drain pipe 43 side, the air bubbles flowing into the water tank 11 can be efficiently discharged to the outside.

  FIG. 4B shows another example of connection piping. When connecting the connection pipe so that the upper end on the water tank 11 side is higher than the upper end on the water treatment apparatus 9 side, for example, when the connection pipe is a cylindrical pipe, a part of the pipe is cut off. In some cases, it is necessary to connect them at the same time, and connecting them diagonally as shown in FIG. 4A may complicate the process.

  Therefore, the connection pipe 44 in FIG. 4B has a trapezoidal shape in a side view, and the side surfaces of the trapezoidal shape are parallel to the water treatment device 9 and the water tank 11, respectively. Thereby, the connection piping 44, the water treatment apparatus 9, and the water tank 11 can be connected easily.

  4B shows an example in which a trumpet-like connection pipe 44 that extends upward and downward toward the water tank 11 is shown, the upper end of the connection pipe 44 on the water tank 11 side is the water treatment device. If it is connected so as to be higher than the upper end on the 9 side (if the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface is inclined), the lower side is not particularly limited.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a water treatment device, a water tank, and a connection pipe that connects the water treatment device and the water tank that constitute the fuel cell device of the present embodiment.

  The connecting pipe 45 shown in FIG. 5 is arranged so that the water treatment device 9 side and the water tank 11 side are at the same height. Here, the connection pipe 45 has a circulation hole 46 connected to the outside on the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface, and an exhaust pipe 47 is connected to the circulation hole 46.

  As a result, when the water supplied from the water treatment device 9 contains bubbles, the bubbles flow from the flow hole 46 to the exhaust pipe 47 and are exhausted to the outside. That is, in the connection pipe 45 shown in FIG. 5, the circulation hole 46 becomes the bubble circulation promotion part 48.

  Accordingly, even when bubbles are contained in the water supplied from the water treatment device 9, the bubbles remain outside the connection pipe 45 because the bubbles are exhausted to the outside through the circulation holes 46 that are the bubble circulation promoting portions 48. This can be suppressed, and the water supply of the water treatment device 9 can be prevented from being blocked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a drop in the water level of the water tank 11 and to obtain a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing still another example of a water treatment device, a water tank, and a connection pipe connecting the water treatment device and the water tank that constitute the fuel cell device of the present embodiment. One example, (b) shows another example.

  In FIG. 6A, the size of the water treatment device 9 is larger than that of the water tank 11, and the upper end of the water treatment device 9 is arranged to be higher than the upper end of the water tank 11. ing.

  Here, the connection pipe 49 that connects the water treatment device 9 and the water tank 11 is connected to the upper end of the water treatment device 9. That is, the connection pipe 49 is connected to the water tank 11 through the same height as the highest position of the water treatment device 9.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, a circulation hole 46 is provided at the highest position on the upper side along the direction of water flow in the inner surface of the connection pipe 49. A tube 47 is connected.

  As a result, bubbles generated in the water treatment device 9 flow above the water treatment device 9, then flow into the connection pipe 49, then flow into the exhaust pipe 47 through the circulation hole 46, and are exhausted to the outside. That is, in the connection pipe 49 shown in FIG. 6A, the circulation hole 46 becomes the bubble circulation promoting portion 48.

Therefore, even if the water supplied from the water treatment device 9 contains bubbles, the bubbles remain in the connection pipe 49 because the bubbles are exhausted to the outside through the circulation holes 46 that are the bubble circulation promoting portions 48. This can be suppressed, and the water supply of the water treatment device 9 can be prevented from being blocked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a drop in the water level of the water tank 11 and to obtain a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability.

  In FIG. 6A, an exhaust pipe 50 for discharging the air in the water treatment device 9 to the outside is connected to the upper end of the water treatment device 9. Thereby, a part of the bubbles generated in the water treatment device 9 and flowing upward are discharged to the outside by the exhaust pipe 50, so that the amount of bubbles flowing to the connection pipe 49 can be reduced. A fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  In FIG.6 (b), the water treatment apparatus 9 and the water tank 11 are made the same height, and the connection piping 51 which connects the upper ends of the water treatment apparatus 9 and the water tank 11 is provided. That is, the connection pipe 51 is connected to the water tank 11 so as to pass above the highest portion of the water treatment device 9 and the water tank 11.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), in the connecting pipe 51, a circulation hole 46 is provided at the highest position on the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface, and the exhaust is exhausted to the circulation hole 46. A tube 47 is connected.

  As a result, bubbles generated in the water treatment device 9 flow to the upper side of the water treatment device 9 and then flow to the connection pipe 51, and then flow to the exhaust pipe 47 through the circulation hole 46 and are exhausted to the outside. That is, in the connection pipe 51 shown in FIG. 6B, the circulation hole 46 becomes the bubble circulation promotion part 48.

  Therefore, even if the water supplied from the water treatment device 9 contains bubbles, the bubbles remain outside the connection pipe 51 because the bubbles are exhausted to the outside through the circulation hole 46 that is the bubble circulation promoting portion 48. It can suppress that the supply of the water of the water treatment apparatus 9 is interrupted | blocked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a drop in the water level of the water tank 11 and to obtain a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have 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. It is.

  For example, in the connection pipes 41 and 44 shown in FIG. 4, a flow hole 46 connected to the outside can be provided on the upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface. In this case, the upper side of the inner surfaces of the connection pipes 41 and 44 along the direction in which the water flows and the circulation hole 46 serve as a bubble circulation promoting portion, and some of the bubbles contained in the water flowing from the water treatment device 9 By discharging to the outside via the circulation hole 46, a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

3: Reformer 9: Water treatment device 11: Water tank 19: Fuel cell 41, 44, 45, 49, 51: Connection pipe 42, 48: Bubble distribution promotion part 43: Drain pipe 46: Distribution hole 47: Exhaust tube

Claims (4)

A fuel battery cell that generates power with a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas;
A reformer capable of a steam reforming reaction for generating fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel battery cell, a water treatment device for purifying water to be supplied to the reformer, and a treatment by the water treatment device A water tank for storing water to be supplied to the reformer;
One connection pipe connecting the water treatment device and the water tank;
The connecting pipe has an upper end of the water tank is connected to a position higher than the upper end of the water treatment apparatus, the upper side along the direction of the flow of water in at least the inner surface, the said water treatment equipment A fuel cell device characterized in that the water tank is continuously inclined and connected .   A drain pipe for discharging water from the water tank is connected to the upper side of the water tank, and the upper end of the connection pipe is connected to be lower than the lower end of the drain pipe. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein   3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe has a circulation hole connected to the outside on an upper side along the direction of water flow on the inner surface.   The fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an exhaust pipe for discharging air in the water treatment device to the outside is connected to an upper end side of the water treatment device. Battery device.

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