JP6502146B2 - Starting unit and starting vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a starting unit used for starting operation of a fuel cell unit, and a starting vehicle provided with the starting unit.

  Conventionally, various fuel cell systems that generate electric power using a fuel cell have been proposed. In the fuel cell system of Patent Document 1, the inside of the housing is divided into a module unit, a fluid supply unit, and an electrical unit. The module unit contains a fuel cell module and a combustor that raises the temperature of the fuel cell module. A fuel gas supply device, an oxidant gas supply device, and a water supply device are disposed in the fluid supply unit. In the electric part, a power conversion device for converting direct current power generated in the combustion cell module and a control device for controlling the amount of power generation of the fuel cell module are disposed. The fluid supply unit is disposed on a first side of the module unit, and the electrical component is disposed on a second side of the module unit. As a result, since the fluid supply unit and the electrical component unit constitute the outer wall of the casing, the temperature increase of the fluid supply unit and the electrical component unit is suppressed.

  In the fuel cell system of Patent Document 2, self-sustaining operation of water used for steam reforming is achieved. Further, in the fuel cell module of Patent Document 3, thermal self-sustaining operation is achieved. In the fuel cell system of Patent Document 4, promotion of water self-sustaining operation and heat self-sustaining operation is achieved. In the fuel cell device of Patent Document 5, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the exhaust gas from the fuel cell and the oxygen-containing gas or fuel supplied to the fuel cell is provided, and the oxygen-containing gas after heat exchange or The power generation efficiency is improved by further heating the fuel.

  On the other hand, in the mobile power supply vehicle of Patent Document 6, a fuel cell power generation device, a control device for supplying power from the fuel cell power generation device to a direct current motor of the electric vehicle to the luggage compartment of the electric vehicle A power converter is provided that supplies power to the external load circuit.

JP 2008-235108 A JP 2011-210448 A JP 2012-238537 A JP, 2013-62217, A JP, 2014-10895, A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-284104

  By the way, in the fuel cell system of Patent Document 1, the combustor used to raise the temperature of the fuel cell module during start-up operation is connected to the fuel gas supply device via the switching valve and the raw fuel branch passage in the housing. Be done. Also, the combustor is connected to the oxidant gas supply device via the switching valve and the air branch passage in the housing. In the fuel cell system, the switch valve and the branch passage which are not used during steady operation are also held in the housing.

  As described above, when the number of fuel cell system-owned devices is large, the probability of occurrence of failure increases, which may lower the operation rate of the fuel cell system. In addition, since it is also necessary to monitor the owned devices that are not used during steady operation of the fuel cell system, the control load on the fuel cell system may be increased. Furthermore, there is a risk that the transmission end power of the fuel cell system may be reduced due to the standby power of the owned device not used during steady operation.

  The above-mentioned problem is the same as in the other fuel cell systems described above. For example, in the fuel cell system of Patent Document 2, realization of water self-sustaining operation during steady operation is achieved, but equipment such as a water tank not used when water self-sustaining operation is realized or a pump for supplying water is It is owned by the fuel cell system. In order to maintain such a water tank or pump, it is necessary to stop the entire fuel cell system. In addition, when the pump or the like breaks down, the entire fuel cell system is stopped, and the entire fuel cell system is replaced as necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the probability of equipment failure during steady operation of a fuel cell unit and to reduce the load on equipment control.

The invention according to claim 1 is a reformer that reforms a raw fuel to generate a fuel gas, a steam generation unit that supplies the steam necessary for the generation of the fuel gas to the reformer, and the fuel The fuel cell unit is detachably connected to a fuel cell unit including a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electric power using a gas and an oxidant gas, and a housing that accommodates the reformer and the fuel cell. A start-up unit used for start-up operation, wherein a water supply unit for storing water and supplying the water to the steam generation unit to supply the water as the steam to the reformer, and a start-up material for the reformer And at least two supply units of a heating energy supply unit for supplying energy for heating the inside of the housing.

  The invention as set forth in claim 2 is the start-up unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection parts of the at least two supply parts and the fuel cell unit have different shapes from each other.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the starting unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the water supply unit, the starting material supply unit, and the heating energy supply unit.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a reformer that reforms a raw fuel to generate a fuel gas, a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electric power using the fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and the above improvement 4. A start-up vehicle for use in start-up operation of a fuel cell unit comprising a paver and a housing for containing the fuel cell, the vehicle for movement being loaded on a loading portion of the vehicle. And the activation unit according to any of the above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a reduction in the probability of equipment failure during steady operation of the fuel cell unit and a reduction in the load of equipment control.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system according to one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the connection part of a water supply part and a fuel cell unit. It is a figure which shows the vehicle for starting.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing the configuration of a fuel cell system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell unit 2 and a start unit 3. In FIG. 1, the fuel cell unit 2 and the starting unit 3 are each surrounded by a broken line.

  The fuel cell unit 2 is a power generation unit that generates power using a fuel cell. The startup unit 3 is used for startup operation (so-called cold start) of the fuel cell unit 2. The start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 is to change the state of the fuel cell unit 2 from the stop state to the steady operation state in which power is steadily generated. The activation unit 3 is detachably connected to the fuel cell unit 2.

  The fuel cell unit 2 includes a housing 21, a reformer 22, a fuel cell 23, and a temperature raising unit 24. The reformer 22, the fuel cell 23, and the temperature raising unit 24 are accommodated inside the housing 21. The fuel cell unit 2 also includes an impurity removing unit 41, a first heat exchanger 42, a blower 43, a second heat exchanger 44, a condensing unit 45, a water vapor generating unit 46, and an exhaust gas combustion unit 47. , And a raw fuel supply source 48. Fuel cell unit 2 further includes a battery unit control unit 49 and a power reception unit 40. The power receiving unit 40 is connected to an external power supply or the like (not shown) and supplies power to the components of the fuel cell unit 2. The battery unit control unit 49 controls each component of the fuel cell unit 2.

  The inner surface of the housing 21 is formed of a heat insulating material. As the housing 21, for example, one in which the entire inner surface of a metal container is covered with a heat insulating material is used. The fuel cell 23 is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and is, for example, a cell stack in which a plurality of cells (unit cells) (not shown) are stacked. The fuel gas is supplied to the negative electrode (anode) of the fuel cell 23, and the oxidant gas is supplied to the positive electrode (cathode). Thereby, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell 23, and power generation is performed. The electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell 23 is an exothermic reaction, and the generated heat is used to heat the reformer 22 or the like. The power generation by the fuel cell 23 is performed, for example, at a high temperature of 600 degrees to 1000 degrees. The fuel gas is, for example, hydrogen gas, and the oxidant gas is, for example, oxygen gas.

  The reformer 22 reforms the raw fuel to generate a reformed gas containing a fuel gas. As raw materials and fuels, for example, LP gas, city gas, natural gas, kerosene, biogas, bioethanol and the like are used. In the reformer 22, for example, reforming of the raw fuel is performed by a steam reforming method, a partial oxidation reforming method, an autothermal reforming method, or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the reformer 22 reforms the LP gas as the raw fuel at a high temperature by the steam reforming method to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas as the fuel gas. The reformer 22 is connected to the negative electrode of the fuel cell 23 by a fuel gas supply pipe 251.

  The reformed gas generated by the reformer 22 is supplied to the negative electrode of the fuel cell 23 through the fuel gas supply pipe 251. The negative exhaust gas, which is a gas discharged from the negative electrode of the fuel cell 23, is discharged to the outside of the housing 21 by the negative exhaust gas discharge pipe 252, and is led to the exhaust gas combustion unit 47. The anode exhaust gas includes water vapor generated by using hydrogen gas as fuel gas for power generation in the fuel cell 23, unused fuel gas that is not used for power generation in the fuel cell 23, and the like.

  The reformer 22 is connected to a raw fuel supply source 48 disposed outside the housing 21 via a raw fuel supply pipe 261. An impurity removing unit 41 and a first heat exchanger 42 are provided on the raw fuel supply pipe 261. The impurity removing unit 41 removes impurities (for example, sulfur-based impurities) from the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 48 to the reformer 22. In the first heat exchanger 42, the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 22 is preheated using the high temperature negative exhaust gas discharged from the negative electrode of the fuel cell 23 and flowing through the negative exhaust gas discharge pipe 252.

  The negative electrode exhaust gas that has passed through the first heat exchanger 42 is led to the condenser 45. In the condenser 45, the water vapor in the anode exhaust gas is condensed to generate water. The water generated by the condensing unit 45 is supplied to the water vapor generating unit 46. In the water vapor generation unit 46, the water is heated to generate water vapor. The water vapor generated by the water vapor generation unit 46 is led to the raw fuel supply pipe 261 via the water supply pipe 262, and is supplied to the reformer 22 together with the raw fuel that has passed through the impurity removal unit 41 to Used for reforming.

  The positive electrode of the fuel cell 23 is connected to the blower 43 disposed outside the housing 21 by an oxidant gas supply pipe 253. The blower 43 supplies air containing oxygen gas, which is an oxidant gas, to the positive electrode of the fuel cell 23 through the oxidant gas supply pipe 253. The positive electrode exhaust gas which is a gas discharged from the positive electrode of the fuel cell 23 is discharged to the outside of the housing 21 by the positive electrode exhaust gas discharge pipe 254. The positive electrode exhaust gas discharge pipe 254 passes through a second heat exchanger 44 provided on the oxidant gas supply pipe 253. In the second heat exchanger 44, the air supplied to the fuel cell 23 is preheated using the high temperature positive electrode exhaust gas discharged from the positive electrode of the fuel cell 23 and flowing through the positive electrode exhaust gas discharge pipe 254.

  The positive electrode exhaust gas discharge pipe 254 which has passed through the second heat exchanger 44 joins the negative electrode exhaust gas discharge pipe 252 at a junction point 471 before the exhaust gas combustion unit 47 (that is, on the upstream side). In the exhaust gas combustion unit 47, the combined negative exhaust gas and positive exhaust gas are burned. Thus, unused fuel gas and the like contained in the negative electrode exhaust gas are burned. The heat of combustion generated in the exhaust gas combustion unit 47 is used, for example, for heating water in the steam generation unit 46 or for power generation using a turbine. In addition, the exhaust gas combustion unit 47 may be provided in the housing 21, and the combustion heat of the exhaust gas combustion unit 47 may be used to heat the reformer 22. For example, a catalytic combustor is used as the exhaust gas combustion unit 47.

  In the steady-state operation of the fuel cell unit 2, as described above, power generation is performed in the fuel cell 23 using the fuel gas and the oxidant gas. The heat generated during the power generation in the fuel cell 23 is applied to the reformer 22 and is used for steam reforming of the raw fuel in the reformer 22. In addition, preheating of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 22 is performed by using the negative electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 23, and the fuel cell 23 is manufactured by using the positive electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 23. The preheating of the air supplied to is performed. Thus, the fuel cell unit 2 can perform the steady operation without applying the heat required in the system during the steady operation from outside the system. Furthermore, in the fuel cell unit 2, the water vapor contained in the negative electrode exhaust gas is used for the steam reforming performed in the reformer 22, thereby providing water required in the system during steady operation from outside the system. Steady operation can be performed without In other words, in the fuel cell unit 2 at the time of steady operation, thermal self-sustaining operation and water self-sustaining operation are possible.

  Next, start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 will be described. The start-up unit 3 used for start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 includes a water supply unit 31, a start-up material supply unit 32, a heating energy supply unit 33, a start-up power supply unit 34, and a start control unit 35. Prepare. The water supply unit 31, the activation material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, the activation power supply unit 34, and the activation control unit 35 are accommodated inside the activation unit housing (not shown). The start control unit 35 controls the water supply unit 31, the start material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, and the start power supply unit 34 based on, for example, the state of the fuel cell unit 2. The start-up power supply unit 34 supplies power to the water supply unit 31, the start-up material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, and the start control unit 35. The start-up power supply unit 34 is, for example, a small generator or a battery, and the start-up control unit 35 is a computer. The small-sized generator is driven using, for example, gasoline, light oil, kerosene, alcohol, LP gas, etc. as a fuel.

  The water supply unit 31 stores water and supplies the water to the reformer 22 of the fuel cell unit 2 at the time of start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2. The water supply unit 31 includes, for example, a water storage unit 311, a pump 312, and a starting water pipe 313. The water storage unit 311 is a tank for storing water (for example, pure water). The water storage section 311 is detachably connected to the water vapor generation section 46 of the fuel cell unit 2 via the start-up water pipe 313. The pump 312 is provided on the start-up water pipe 313, and supplies the water stored in the water storage unit 311 to the steam generation unit 46.

  The start-up material supply unit 32 supplies the start-up material to the reformer 22 at the time of start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2. The starting material supply unit 32 includes, for example, a starting material supply source 321 and a starting material pipe 322. The starting material supply source 321 is, for example, a gas cylinder that stores the starting material. The starting material supply source 321 is detachably connected to the raw fuel supply pipe 261 of the fuel cell unit 2 via the starting material pipe 322. In other words, the starting material supply source 321 is detachably connected to the reformer 22 via the starting material pipe 322 and the raw fuel supply pipe 261. As the starting material, for example, nitrogen, hydrogen, LP gas similar to the raw fuel, city gas, bioethanol and the like are used.

  The heating energy supply unit 33 supplies energy used to heat the inside of the housing 21 of the fuel cell unit 2 when the fuel cell unit 2 is started. The heating energy supply unit 33 is connected to the temperature raising unit 24 in the housing 21. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the temperature raising unit 24 is a burner that burns fuel to heat the inside of the housing 21. The heating energy supply unit 33 includes, for example, a heating fuel supply source 331, a heating fuel pipe 332, and a heating blower 333. The heating fuel supply source 331 is, for example, a gas cylinder that stores the heating fuel. The heating blower 333 delivers air. The heating fuel supply source 331 and the heating blower 333 are detachably connected to the temperature raising unit 24 via the heating fuel pipe 332. As a heating fuel, for example, LP gas, city gas, light oil or the like is used.

  In the start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2, first, the heating fuel from the heating fuel supply source 331 and the air from the heating blower 333 are supplied to the temperature raising unit 24 as energy used for the above-described heating. Ru. Then, the fuel for heating is burned in the temperature raising portion 24 so that the inside of the housing 21 is heated. As a result, the temperature of the reformer 22 and the fuel cell 23 rises.

  Subsequently, the starting material from the starting material supply source 321 passes through the impurity removing unit 41 and is supplied to the reformer 22. In addition, water from the water supply unit 31 is supplied to the steam generation unit 46, and after being converted to steam by the steam generation unit 46, is supplied to the reformer 22. Then, the starting material is steam-reformed by the reformer 22 to generate a fuel gas, which is supplied to the negative electrode of the fuel cell 23. Air containing an oxidant gas is supplied to the positive electrode of the fuel cell 23 by the blower 43 described above. As a result, power generation by the fuel cell 23 is performed, and the heat generated at the time of power generation further heats the reformer 22. Further, water generated in the condenser 45 from the negative electrode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 23 is supplied to the water vapor generator 46.

  In the fuel cell system 1, the reformer 22 and the fuel cell 23 reach a predetermined temperature, and the output from the fuel cell 23 reaches a predetermined power generation amount and becomes stable, that is, the fuel cell unit 2 is in a steady operation state. The above-described start-up operation is continued until When the steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2 is started and the water self-sustaining and heat self-sustaining described above are established, the starting unit 3 is stopped. Specifically, in the activation unit 3, the supply of water from the water supply unit 31, the supply of the activation material from the activation material supply unit 32, and the energy from the heating energy supply unit 33 (that is, for heating) The supply of fuel and air is shut off. At the same time, in the fuel cell unit 2, the supply of the raw fuel from the raw fuel supply source 48 to the reformer 22 is started.

  The connection 310 between the water supply unit 31 and the fuel cell unit 2, the connection 320 between the activation material supply unit 32 and the fuel cell unit 2, and the connection between the heating energy supply unit 33 and the fuel cell unit 2. The connection in section 330 is released, and start unit 3 is removed from fuel cell unit 2. Valves and check valves are provided on both sides of the connection portions 310, 320, 330 (ie, on the side of the start unit 3 and the side of the fuel cell unit 2), and the fuel cell unit 2 is steady even after the start unit 3 is removed. Driving will continue without any problems.

  Thus, the start unit 3 can be removed from the fuel cell unit 2 after the start operation of the fuel cell unit 2 is completed (that is, after the start of the steady operation). For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of owned devices in the fuel cell unit 2 at the time of steady operation, and it is possible to realize a decrease in the probability of device failure at the time of steady operation and a reduced load of device control. It is also possible to suppress a decrease in the transmission end power of the fuel cell unit 2 due to the standby power or the like of the owned device not used during steady operation. Furthermore, in parallel with the steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2, maintenance and the like of the startup unit 3 can be performed. As a result, the reliability of the fuel cell system 1 can be improved.

  In the fuel cell system 1, by providing the startup power supply unit 34 in the startup unit 3, it is possible to reduce the demand power at the time of startup operation of the fuel cell unit 2. As a result, the capacity of the power receiving unit 40 of the fuel cell unit 2 can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the connection part 310 between the water supply part 31 and the fuel cell unit 2. The connection portion 310 includes a connection end portion 310 a on the water supply portion 31 side and a connection end portion 310 b on the fuel cell unit 2 side. In FIG. 2, the pipes extending from the connection ends 310 a and 310 b are drawn by broken lines to facilitate the understanding of the drawing. The connection end portions 310a and 310b have a substantially cylindrical shape, and the central portion is provided with a flow path through which water flows. A substantially square pole-like convex portion 310c extending in the radial direction is provided on the end face of the connection end portion 310a. Further, on the end face of the connection end portion 310b, a concave portion 310d having substantially the same shape as the convex portion 310c is provided. When the water supply portion 31 and the fuel cell unit 2 are connected, the connection end portions 310a and 310b are fixed to each other while the convex portion 310c is fitted in the concave portion 310d.

  In the fuel cell system 1, the connection parts 310, 320, 330 of the water supply part 31, the start material supply part 32, and the heating energy supply part 33 of the start unit 3 and the fuel cell unit 2 have different shapes from one another. Have. For example, in the connection portions 320 and 330, as in the connection portion 310 shown in FIG. 2, the end face of the connection end is provided with a protrusion and a recess, and the shape, number or arrangement of the protrusion and recess are connected The units 310, 320, and 330 differ from each other. Thus, when connecting the start unit 3 and the fuel cell unit 2, the water supply unit 31, the start material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, and the fuel cell unit 2 are connected without error. be able to.

  The startup vehicle 6 shown in FIG. 3 may be used for startup operation of the fuel cell unit 2. The activation vehicle 6 includes a moving vehicle 61 and the activation unit 3 described above. The activation unit 3 is loaded on the loading unit of the vehicle 61. Thus, the activation unit 3 can be easily transported to various installation places of the fuel cell unit 2 and the fuel cell unit 2 can be easily activated. For example, a light truck is used as the vehicle 61 of the startup vehicle 6, and the startup unit 3 is loaded on a loading platform which is a loading portion of the light truck.

  In consideration of mounting of the starting unit 3, the weight of the starting unit 3 is preferably 350 kg or less, and the length, width and height of the starting unit housing 36 of the starting unit 3 are respectively 1900 mm or less, 1400 mm or less, 1500 mm or less Is preferred. Further, in order to reduce vibration and the like of each structure at the time of movement, the water supply unit 31, the start material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, the start power supply unit 34 and the start control unit 35 (see FIG. 1) Preferably, it can be fastened to the activation unit housing 36. It is preferable that the water supply unit 31, the start material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, the start power supply unit 34, and the start control unit 35 be installed on the anti-vibration table.

  In the fuel cell system 1, when the fuel cell unit 2 is in steady operation, the water self-sustaining operation is not performed, and it is necessary to continuously supply the water stored in the water supply source to the reformer 22 as steam. The steam may be supplied to the reformer 22 from the water supply source also during start-up operation. In this case, the water supply unit 31 may be omitted from the activation unit 3. The water supply unit 31 may be omitted from the starting unit 3 also when the starting material contains water necessary for reforming in the reformer 22, such as undistilled bioethanol.

  The starting material supplied from the starting material supply unit 32 to the reformer 22 may be, for example, a gas different from the raw fuel. When the starting material is nitrogen gas that does not become the raw fuel or hydrogen gas that is the fuel gas, the steam reforming in the reformer 22 becomes unnecessary at the start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2, so the water supply unit 31 may be omitted from the activation unit 3.

  In the fuel cell system 1, when the starting material supplied from the starting material supply unit 32 to the reformer 22 is the same as the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 48 described above, the fuel cell unit 2 During start-up operation, the raw fuel from the raw fuel supply source 48 may be supplied to the reformer 22 as a start-up material. In this case, the starting material supply unit 32 may be omitted from the starting unit 3.

  In the fuel cell system 1, when the heating fuel supplied from the heating energy supply unit 33 to the temperature raising unit 24 is the same as the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 48, the start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 At this time, the raw fuel from the raw fuel supply source 48 may be supplied to the temperature raising unit 24 as a heating fuel. Further, air may be supplied to the temperature raising unit 24 using the blower 43 of the fuel cell unit 2. As described above, when the heating fuel and the air are supplied from the raw fuel supply source 48 and the blower 43 to the temperature raising unit 24, the heating energy supply unit 33 may be omitted from the starting unit 3.

  In addition, when the heat self-sustaining operation is not performed during steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2 and continuous heating of the inside of the housing 21 by the temperature raising unit 24 is necessary, the fuel supply unit for heating is provided in the fuel cell unit 2 The heating fuel and air may be supplied from the heating fuel supply source and the blower 43 of the fuel cell unit 2 to the heating unit 24. Also in this case, the heating energy supply unit 33 may be omitted from the activation unit 3.

  As mentioned above, starting unit 3 should just be provided with at least two supply parts among water supply part 31, starting material supply part 32, and energy supply part 33 for heating. Even in this case, the startup unit 3 can be removed from the fuel cell unit 2 after the start of the steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2 as described above. For this reason, it is possible to realize a reduction in the device failure probability during steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2 and a reduction in the load of device control. It is also possible to suppress a decrease in the transmission end power of the fuel cell unit 2 due to the standby power or the like of the owned device not used during steady operation. Furthermore, in parallel with the steady operation of the fuel cell unit 2, maintenance and the like of the startup unit 3 can be performed.

  Further, since the connection parts between the at least two supply parts and the fuel cell unit 2 have different shapes from each other, the connection between the at least two supply parts and the fuel cell unit 2 is the same as described above. Can be done without error.

  However, it is preferable that the activation unit 3 includes all the water supply unit 31, the activation material supply unit 32, and the heating energy supply unit 33. Thus, start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 having various structures can be easily performed.

  Various modifications are possible in the fuel cell system 1 described above.

  For example, the connection parts 310, 320, and 330 of the water supply unit 31, the start material supply unit 32, the heating energy supply unit 33, and the fuel cell unit 2 of the start unit 3 have mutually different shapes. The shape may be various shapes other than the fitting of the above-mentioned unevenness.

  The temperature raising unit 24 does not necessarily have to be a burner, and may be, for example, a hot air injection unit that injects hot air toward the inside of the housing 21. In this case, the heating energy supply unit 33 supplies air to, for example, the heating fuel supply source 331 for storing the heating fuel, the heating fuel combustion unit for burning the heating fuel, and the heating fuel combustion unit. And a heating blower 333. When, for example, an oil burner using light oil as fuel is used as the heating fuel combustion unit, a diesel generator driven by the light oil may be used as the start-up power supply unit 34. Alternatively, a diesel generator may be used as the heating fuel combustion unit and the start-up power supply unit 34, and the waste heat of the diesel generator may be used as the heating energy supplied to the temperature raising unit 24. In addition, a gas turbine generator using LP gas as fuel is used as a heating fuel combustion unit and a start power supply unit 34, and high temperature exhaust gas of the gas turbine generator is supplied as heating energy to the temperature raising unit 24. It may be used.

  When the heating fuel in the temperature raising unit 24 is the same as the raw fuel (for example, LP gas or city gas) supplied from the raw fuel supply source 48 described above, the heating energy supply unit 33 supplies the heating fuel The source 331 may be omitted, and the raw fuel from the raw fuel supply 48 may be supplied to the heating fuel burner as the heating fuel. When air is supplied to the heating fuel combustion unit using the blower 43 of the fuel cell unit 2, the heating blower 333 may be omitted from the heating energy supply unit 33.

  The heating unit 24 may also be an electric heater. In this case, the heating energy supply unit 33 includes, for example, a power supply unit that supplies power to the temperature raising unit 24. For example, a small generator or a battery is used as the power supply unit. The small-sized generator is driven using, for example, gasoline, light oil, kerosene, alcohol, LP gas, etc. as a fuel. Alternatively, the above-described startup power supply unit 34 may be used as the power supply unit.

  In the fuel cell system 1 described above, the water vapor contained in the negative electrode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 23 is taken out as water by the condenser 45 and then supplied to the water vapor generation unit 46. The part may be supplied to the reformer 22 in a gaseous state. Even in this case, the water self-sustaining operation can be realized in the fuel cell unit 2 in the steady operation.

  In the fuel cell unit 2, a plurality of fuel cells 23 may be disposed in the housing 21.

  In the fuel cell system 1, the start unit 3 is used for the start operation of the fuel cell unit 2, and the start operation of the fuel cell unit 2 does not necessarily have to be performed by the start unit 3 alone. For example, the start-up operation of the fuel cell unit 2 may be performed by using the start-up unit 3 in combination with other configurations.

  The configurations in the above embodiment and each modification may be combined as appropriate as long as no contradiction arises.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 fuel cell unit 3 starting unit 6 starting vehicle 21 housing 22 reformer 23 fuel cell 31 water supply unit 32 starting material supply unit 33 heating energy supply unit 61 vehicle 310, 320, 330 connection unit

Claims (4)

A reformer that reforms a raw fuel to generate a fuel gas, a steam generation unit that supplies the steam necessary for generating the fuel gas to the reformer, and power generation using the fuel gas and an oxidant gas A start-up unit which is detachably connected to a fuel cell unit including a solid oxide fuel cell for performing the fuel cell and a housing for containing the reformer and the There,
A water supply unit for storing water and supplying the water to the steam generation unit and supplying the water as the steam to the reformer;
A starting material supply unit for supplying starting material to the reformer;
A heating energy supply unit for supplying energy for heating the inside of the housing;
A starting unit comprising at least two supply units. The starting unit according to claim 1, wherein
A starting unit characterized in that each connection between the at least two supply units and the fuel cell unit has a different shape. The starting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A start unit comprising the water supply unit, the start material supply unit, and the heating energy supply unit. A reformer that reforms a raw fuel to generate a fuel gas, a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electric power using the fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and the reformer and the fuel cell are accommodated. A start-up vehicle used for start-up operation of a fuel cell unit provided with a housing, comprising:
With a moving vehicle,
The starting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is loaded on a loading unit of the vehicle.
A starting vehicle comprising:

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