JP6571560B2 - Fuel cell power generation module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a fuel cell power generation module, particularly a high efficiency fuel cell that uses recycled fuel to minimize low-efficiency combustion reactions and increase fuel utilization and power generation efficiency of the fuel cell power generation module. It relates to a power generation module.

Conventional fuel cells can be categorized into two types, high temperature type and low temperature type, based on reaction temperature, and the higher efficiency of high temperature type fuel cell is directly connected to the node using, for example, methane as fuel gas It is possible to operate without using the noble metal electrode catalyst employed in the low working temperature type fuel cell.
This is an advantage of a high working temperature type fuel cell that has been attracting attention in recent years. To pursue higher and more stable power generation performance, in many countries, to conduct research and system tests on surfaces including electrolytes, electrocatalysts, connecting plates, and other materials in fuel cell dynamics and reaction mechanisms Invests a great deal of resources and resources.

US Patent Publication US 2010/0136378 A1 is disclosed as an integrated reformer and combustor design, but when the fuel is in a lean region, the combustion reaction is suppressed and system function is Tend to stop.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,886 B2 has a reforming structure with a direct stack where the combustor is located below the reformer so as to supply heat to the exhaust gas after combustion for fuel reuse and the reformer. A structure in which a combustor and a combustor are integrated is disclosed. The heat generated in such reformer and combustor structures causes significant losses and there is room for improvement in heat management.

A general high-temperature fuel cell power generation system generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of a hydrogen-enriched fuel. In order to improve the combustion reaction, waste heat is used to perform an electrochemical reaction. By introducing the remaining residual fuel into the combustor, the generated thermal energy is provided for system operation.
The system increases the risk of system operation if it generates excessive heat beyond what is required by the system. High temperature fuel cells integrate most of the system components into a single unit, so that when heated to high operating temperatures (700-800 ° C) or higher, the internal reforming catalyst Difficulties arise when replacing.

In order to solve the drawbacks of conventional fuel cells, there is a need for further improvements and improvements in heat and fuel recycling efficiency.

US Published Patent No. 2010/0136378 A1

US Pat. No. 7,156,886 B2

  The present invention provides an apparatus in which the arrangement of fuel cell components is improved in the mechanism for recycling fuel and thermal energy.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient fuel cell power generation module. The unreacted fuel of the fuel cell stack is supplied to the combustor as a fuel for recycling and combustion, and the heat generated in the combustor is directly used to heat the fuel cell stack and the plate evaporator, and the rest Heat is used to heat the residual air from the fuel cell stack, and the heated air is used to preheat fresh air introduced into the fuel cell stack.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient fuel cell power generation module. Recycled unreacted fuel from the fuel cell stack and supplied to the combustor as fuel for combustion. The heat generated in the combustor is used to directly heat the fuel cell stack and the plate evaporator. The remainder is used to heat the residual air from the fuel cell stack and the heated air is used to preheat fresh air introduced into the fuel cell stack. The plate evaporator converts water that enters the fuel cell stack with the fuel into steam. Therefore, not only the unreacted fuel is recycled, but also the heat utilization efficiency is improved in order to promote the efficiency of the entire power generation module.

  One object of the present invention is to provide a high-efficiency fuel cell power generation module including four parts of a fuel cell stack, a bottom plate, a combustor, and a plate evaporator, which are erected in order perpendicular to the fuel cell stack. Providing and enhancing the heat transfer between each of these parts through direct contact, by preheating fresh air flowing in the piping arranged around the fuel cell stack in a fence-like manner, Maximize the heat generated by the combustor to improve overall economic efficiency by reducing heat dissipation and fuel loss.

One object of the present invention is that a positive electrode and a negative electrode are respectively connected to a fuel cell stack in combination with a reformer via a fuel channel and an air channel inside the fuel cell stack. A fuel inlet and a fuel outlet are provided at each end of the flow path, and an air inlet and an air outlet are provided at each end of the air flow path.
The combustor provided on one side of the fuel cell stack has an air flow path that connects the hot hot air outlet and the air inlet.
A plate type evaporator attached to the opposite side of the fuel cell stack of the combustor is provided, and further communicated with the fuel outlet of the fuel cell stack to introduce unreacted fuel and water for recycling. An air / water separator is arranged for separation.
A plurality of composite pipes composed of an outer pipe and an inner pipe are provided on the outer periphery of the fuel cell stack. Each outer pipe surrounds the inner pipe, and one end of the inner pipe is connected to the hot air of the combustor. The air flowing through the outer pipe is heated by introducing hot air from the combustor in communication with the outlet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation module provided with a bottom plate having high thermal conductivity, and a fuel cell stack and a combustor are mounted on the upper and lower sides of the bottom plate, respectively. And the combustor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation module which separates unreacted fuel and water to be recycled through a composite pipe by a steam separator and supplies them to a plate evaporator.
That is, unreacted fuel to be recycled is introduced into the plate evaporator through the outer pipe, recycled water is introduced into the plate evaporator through the inner pipe, and the plate evaporator is introduced through the intermediate layer pipe. Replenish by introducing external fuel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell characterized in that a plurality of multilayer tubes provided on the outer periphery of the fuel cell stack are arranged in a parallel fence shape, connected to each other, and surround the fuel cell stack. It is to provide a power generation module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation module having a catalytic combustor having a porous catalyst carrier for generating a combustion reaction between hydrogen and air at room temperature. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation module comprising a porous filler in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency of separation and evaporation of water passing through the plate evaporator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation module characterized in that fresh air is preheated by a preheater before entering the outer tube.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the battery power generation module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The configuration of the present invention includes a structure in which a fuel cell stack 1, a combustor 2, a plate evaporator 3, a composite pipe 4, a steam separator 5, and a composite pipe 6 are arranged. The fuel cell stack 1 is a positive electrode and a negative electrode combined with a reformer, and is connected to each other inside the fuel cell stack 1 via a fuel flow path 11 and an air flow path 12.
The fuel inlet 111 and the fuel outlet 112 are each provided at each end of the fuel flow path 11, and the air inlet 121 and the air outlet 122 are respectively provided at each end of the air flow path 12.

The combustor 2 is disposed on one side of the fuel cell stack 1 and includes a porous catalyst carrier capable of causing a combustion reaction between hydrogen and air supplied at room temperature. The combustor 2 includes an air inlet 21 and a hot air outlet 22, and communicates with the air outlet 122 through an air circulation pipe 123. In an exemplary embodiment, the flat plate 13 having high thermal conductivity is provided between the combustor 2 and the fuel cell stack 1, and the fuel cell stack 1 and the combustor 2 are respectively provided with the flat plate 13. It is attached to both the upper and lower sides.

The plate-type evaporator 3 is disposed on the opposite side of the combustor 2 with respect to the fuel cell stack 1, communicates with the fuel mixing pipe 31 toward the fuel introduction port 111, and has a porous filler therein. The heat transfer efficiency can be increased by evaporating and separating the inflowing water.

The composite pipe 6 includes an inner pipe 61, an intermediate layer pipe 62, and an outer pipe 63. One end of the inner tube 61 is extended into the plate evaporator 3, the intermediate layer tube 62 is fitted to the outer periphery of the inner tube 61, and the outer tube 63 is attached to the outer periphery of the intermediate layer tube 62. One end of the outer tube 63 communicates with the plate evaporator, and the outer tube 63 and the intermediate layer tube 62 are interconnected.
In the exemplary embodiment, the other end of the intermediate layer pipe 62 is connected to an external fuel source (not shown) via the auxiliary fuel pipe 621, the other end of the inner pipe 61 is connected to the water pipe 611, and the outer pipe. The other end of 63 is connected to a fuel pipe 631.

The steam separator 5 for separating gas and water communicates with the fuel outlet 112 of the fuel cell stack body 1 via the recovery pipe 51 to keep the remaining fuel and water of unreacted components for recycling. And is partly introduced into the inlet 21 of the combustor 2 as a recycled fuel, mixed with air flowing out from the air outlet 122 of the fuel cell stack body 1, and supplied to the combustor 2 for combustion. To do.
The steam separator 5 is connected to a fuel pipe 631 that flows through the first fuel pipe 53 and the fuel pump 531, and recycled fuel is replenished from the intermediate layer pipe 62 connected to the auxiliary fuel pipe 621. The fuel is mixed and introduced into the plate evaporator 3.
Further, the steam separator 5 connects a water supply pipe 52 and a water auxiliary water pipe 522 connected to the outside (not shown) for water supply to the water pump 521, and the recycled water is sufficiently supplied by the water pump 521. Pure water is obtained and introduced into the plate evaporator 3 through the inner pipe 61 connected to the water supply pipe 611.

The multilayer tube 4 includes an outer tube 42 and an inner tube 41, and includes an outer tube 42 that surrounds the outer periphery of the inner tube 41. Each of the plurality of multilayer tubes 4 is provided on the outer periphery of the fuel cell stack 1. One end of 41 communicates with the hot air discharge port 22 of the combustor 2 to introduce high temperature exhaust from the combustor 2, and the other end of the inner tube 41 is an exhaust port 411.
One end of the outer tube 42 introduces fresh air from the inlet 421 of the air flow path, and the other end communicates with the air inlet 121 of the fuel cell stack body 1, thereby introducing fresh air from one end of the outer tube 42. While flowing, it can be heated by the inner tube 41 and introduced into the air inlet 121 of the fuel cell stack body 1.

A fuel cell main body 1 exemplified as an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of multilayer tubes 4, each of which is formed in a fence shape connected to each other surrounding the periphery of the fuel cell stack 1, and an outer tube The preheater 7 provided at the inlet 421 of the air 42 is preheated before air is introduced into the outer tube 42, and exhibits a good heat exchange effect between the fuel cell stack 1 and the outer tube 42. To do.

During the operation of the apparatus, the fuel in which unreacted components remain is introduced from the fuel outlet 112 of the fuel cell stack 1 into the steam separator 5 through the recovery pipe 51, and is separated and output as fuel and water to be recycled. Part of the recycled fuel (about 20%) flows through the second fuel pipe 54 and mixes with air containing unreacted components from the fuel cell stack body 1 flowing out from the circulating air circulation pipe 123. The generated heat is introduced through the inlet 21 of the combustor 2 and burned, and the generated heat heats the plate evaporator 3 and the fuel cell stack body 1, and the remaining heat passes through the hot air outlet 22 and the inner pipe 41. Through the exhaust port 411.

The remaining recycled fuel (about 80%)
The fuel is supplied to the outer layer pipe 63 through the second fuel pipe 53, the fuel pump 531, and the fuel pipe 631, and is mixed with the external fuel supplied from the intermediate layer pipe 62 through the auxiliary fuel pipe 621, and is recycled.
On the other hand, the recirculated water is replenished with water from the external water supply inlet 522 through the water supply pipe 52 and supplied to the plate evaporator 3 from the water pump 521 through the supply pipe 611 and the inner layer pipe 61. .

The plate type evaporator 3 absorbs heat from the combustor 2 to convert water into steam, mixes it with fuel introduced from the outer layer pipe 63 and the intermediate layer pipe 62, and passes through the fuel mixing pipe 31 to form a fuel flow path. 11 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 through 11 fuel inlets 111.
Fresh air from the outside is introduced into the outer pipe 42 from the air inlet 421 and heated by the preheater 7, and the air flow in the outer pipe 42 is further heated by the inner pipe 41 and then into the air inlet 121. It is introduced and can be supplied to the air flow path 12 for reacting with the vapor and mixed fuel in the flow path 11 of the fuel cell body 1.

It should be understood that the many features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the details of the structure and function of the invention, are not limited to the matters set forth in the foregoing description, and the disclosure detailed above. Are shown by way of example only, and modifications that can be made by those skilled in the art as needed, especially changes in shape, size, and arrangement of components within the principles of the invention, adjustments, etc. are within the scope of the claims. To the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms expressed, it should be understood as belonging to that scope of rights.

It is explanatory drawing of the fuel cell power generation module structure of this invention. It is a front view of the fuel cell power generation module structure of the present invention. It is a rear view of the fuel cell power generation module structure of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the fuel cell power generation module structure of the present invention.

Fuel cell stack 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Fuel flow path 111 Fuel inlet 112 Fuel outlet 12 Air flow path 121 Air inlet 122 Air outlet 123 Air distribution pipe 13 Flat plate 2 Combustor 21 Air inlet 22 Hot air outlet 3 Plate type evaporator 31 Fuel mixing pipe 4 Multi-layer pipe 41 Pipe 411 Exhaust port 42 Outer pipe 421 Inlet 5 Steam-water separator 51 Recovery pipe 52 Water supply pipe 521 Water pump 522 Auxiliary water pipe 53 First fuel pipe 531 Fuel pump 54 Second fuel pipe 6 Composite pipe 61 Inner pipe 611 Water pipe 62 Intermediate layer Pipe 621 Auxiliary fuel pipe 63 Outer pipe 631 Fuel pipe 7 Preheater

Claims (7)

The fuel cell power generation module includes a fuel cell stack combined with a reformer,
In the fuel cell stack, the positive electrode is connected to the fuel flow path, the negative electrode is connected to the air flow path,
The inlet and outlet of the fuel flow path are respectively disposed at the end of the fuel flow path, and the inlet and outlet of the air flow path are respectively disposed at the end of the air flow path;
An air inlet and a hot air discharge port communicating with the outlet of the air flow path of the fuel cell stack, and a combustor provided on one side of the fuel cell stack,
A plate evaporator attached to the opposite side of the combustor to the fuel cell stack;
A steam separator connected to the outlet of the fuel flow path of the fuel cell stack,
Fuel discharged from the fuel flow path outlet for recycling is introduced into the steam separator, and a part of the fuel in which the separated unreacted components remain and from the air flow path outlet of the fuel cell stack Mixing with the outflowing air, introducing it into the combustor inlet to generate combustion heat,
Conducting the combustion heat of the combustor directly to the plate evaporator and the fuel cell stack in contact therewith,
After supplementary fuel is added to the fuel in which the remaining unreacted components separated for recycling remain, the fuel is supplied to the plate evaporator, and is separated into water separated by the steam separator for recycling. After adding make-up water, supply to the plate evaporator,
In the plate type evaporator, by heat conduction from the combustor, water is converted into steam and fuel and steam are supplied to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack,
A plurality of composite pipes arranged around the outer periphery of the fuel cell stack and composed of an outer pipe and an inner pipe are provided, and one end of the inner pipe communicates with a hot air discharge port from the combustor, Communicating one end of the tube with the air inlet of the fuel cell stack,
The air introduced from the other end of the outer tube is heated by the hot air flowing through the inner tube, and flows into the fuel cell stack.
A fuel cell power generation module. The fuel cell stack and the combustor are respectively mounted on the upper side and the lower side of the high thermal conductivity plate, and the high thermal conductivity plate is mounted between the fuel cell stack and the combustor. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein A composite pipe is provided for supplying the recycled fuel and water separated by the steam separator to the plate evaporator,
The composite pipe is composed of an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an intermediate pipe,
2. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein recycled water is supplied from the inner pipe, recycled fuel is supplied from the outer pipe, and fuel supplemented from the outside is supplied from the intermediate pipe. 2. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of composite pipes are connected to each other and arranged in a fence shape so as to surround an outer periphery of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the combustor is a catalytic combustor having a porous catalyst carrier for generating a combustion reaction between hydrogen and air at room temperature. 2. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein the plate type evaporator is provided with a porous filling material to improve heat transfer efficiency and improve permeation efficiency of permeated water. The fuel cell power generation module according to claim 1, wherein a preheater is provided in an outer pipe of the composite pipe to preheat air introduced into the outer pipe.

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