KR20230128903A - Fuel Cell Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device.
A fuel cell device of the present invention includes a fuel processing device generating reformed gas; and a stack generating electrical energy by causing an electrochemical reaction between reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device and air, wherein the fuel processing device includes: a first reactor generating reformed gas by reacting gas with steam; a second reactor for removing carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas generated in the first reactor; a burner supplying heat to the first reactor; and a steam supply pipe for heating water flowing therein by exchanging heat with the second reactor and supplying steam to the first reactor, wherein the steam supply pipe includes a plurality of pipes connected in parallel to exchange heat with the second reactor. The steam supply pipe allows water to flow through some or all of the plurality of pipes connected in parallel.

Description

Fuel cell apparatus {Fuel Cell Apparatus}

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device, and more particularly, to a fuel cell device including a fuel processing device that generates hydrogen using gas.

A fuel cell device is a power generation system that generates electrical energy by electrochemically reacting hydrogen contained in a hydrocarbon-based material, such as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, or the like, with oxygen.

Electrical energy may be generated by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the stack. The hydrogen supplied to these stacks can be produced through a chemical reaction to gas through a reformer.

However, since the reformed gas generated through the reaction between gas and steam may include carbon monoxide in addition to hydrogen, a structure for removing it may be included.

Korean Patent Publication No. KR 10-2007-0019986 discloses a structure for generating reformed gas containing hydrogen from gas and steam heated by a burner. However, the reformer disclosed in the above-cited literature has a problem in that the structure design and manufacturing are complicated because the flow path structure for configuring the steam generation flow path and the exhaust gas flow path is complicatedly formed.

In addition, there is a problem that is not advantageous for steam generation because a heat exchange area of the steam flow path for generating steam is not sufficiently secured.

In addition, since the amount of water flowing through the steam supply pipe is kept constant, when the generation amount of reformed gas is different due to a change in power generation, there is a problem in that the performance of removing carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas may deteriorate.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of securing hydrogen generation performance with a simple structure. That is, to provide a structure capable of generating steam by sufficiently utilizing the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the burner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of adjusting the cooling performance of a reactor for reducing carbon monoxide contained in reformed gas.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of maintaining the temperature of the reactor by maintaining a flow of exhaust gas in a predetermined direction in a separate reactor through which exhaust gas discharged from a burner flows.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention generates electrical energy by generating an electrochemical reaction between a fuel processing device that generates reformed gas, and a reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device and air. Including a stack to generate electrical energy through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.

The fuel processing device includes a first reactor generating reformed gas by reacting gas and steam, a second reactor removing carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas generated in the first reactor, and heat generated by the first reactor. and a burner for supplying heat, and a steam supply pipe for heating water flowing therein by exchanging heat with the second reactor and supplying steam to the first reactor. In the steam supply pipe, a plurality of pipes connected in parallel are arranged to exchange heat with the second reactor, and the steam supply pipe allows water to flow through some or all of the plurality of pipes connected in parallel to exhaust gas exhausted from the burner or the first steam supply pipe. The amount of water flowing through the steam supply pipe may be adjusted to exchange heat with the reformed gas discharged from the reactor.

The steam supply pipe includes a first steam supply pipe that exchanges heat with the second reactor and a second steam supply pipe that exchanges heat with the second reactor and is disposed in parallel with the first steam supply pipe, and the first steam supply pipe has an internal A first valve for controlling the flow of water flowing through is disposed, a second valve for controlling the flow of water flowing inside is disposed in the second steam supply pipe, and water flowing through the first steam supply pipe and the second steam supply pipe is disposed. can be adjusted.

Operations of the first valve and the second valve may be adjusted according to the amount of electrical energy generated by the stack.

It further includes a fuel valve for adjusting the flow rate of gas supplied to the fuel processing device, and when the flow rate of gas supplied to the reformer through the fuel valve exceeds a set flow rate, the first steam supply pipe or the The amount of water flowing through the steam supply pipe may be increased when the amount of reformed gas discharged increases by adjusting the first valve and the second valve so that both of the second steam supply pipes are open.

When the flow rate of the gas supplied to the reformer through the fuel valve is less than or equal to the set flow rate, the first valve or the second valve is adjusted so that one of the first steam supply pipe or the second steam supply pipe is closed, thereby reforming the gas. When the amount of gas is reduced, the amount of water flowing through the steam supply pipe can be reduced.

The steam supply pipe includes a heat exchange pipe disposed in contact with the second reactor and exchanging heat with reformed gas or exhaust gas flowing through the second reactor, and a steam discharge pipe for discharging steam into the first reactor, In the heat exchange tube, a plurality of tubes connected in parallel are arranged to exchange heat with the second reactor, so that the amount of water flowing through the second reactor may be adjusted.

The heat exchange tube includes a first heat exchange tube that exchanges heat with the second reactor and a second heat exchange tube that exchanges heat with the second reactor and is disposed in parallel with the first heat exchange tube, and the first heat exchange tube has an internal A first valve for controlling the flow of water flowing through is disposed, and a second valve for controlling the flow of water flowing inside is disposed in the second heat exchange pipe to control the amount of water flowing through the second reactor.

Inside the second reactor, a first exhaust gas chamber into which exhaust gas discharged from the first reactor flows, a second exhaust gas chamber through which exhaust gas flowing from the first exhaust gas chamber is discharged, and the first A purification chamber disposed between the exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber and removing carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas discharged from the first reactor is formed, and the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube, respectively, It is disposed to pass through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber, and can exchange heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas chamber.

Each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube extends in a spiral shape and is alternately arranged so that the amount of heat exchange in each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube may be similar.

Each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube includes a first tube disposed in the first exhaust gas chamber and a second tube disposed in the second exhaust gas chamber, and the first tube and the second tube are disposed in the second exhaust gas chamber. Water flowing through the second pipe is arranged to be opposite to the flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber, thereby increasing heat exchange efficiency.

The second reactor includes a housing forming the first exhaust gas chamber, the second exhaust gas chamber, and the purification chamber therein, and the housing is disposed to face a circumferential wall of the first reactor. An inner circumferential wall, an outer circumferential wall spaced apart from the inner circumferential wall in a radial direction, and a first portion disposed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall and partitioning the first exhaust gas chamber and the purification chamber. and a partition wall and a second partition wall disposed between the first partition wall and the outer circumferential wall and partitioning the purification chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber.

Each of the first tube and the second tube is disposed in contact with the first partition wall or the second partition wall, and controls the flow of exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber. Arranged in a spiral form to guide, it is possible to expand the flow path of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas chamber.

The purification chamber includes a first purification chamber generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide by reacting carbon monoxide with water, and a second purification chamber removing residual carbon monoxide from the reformed gas discharged from the first purification chamber. A purification chamber may be disposed above the first purification chamber.

Each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube further includes a third tube disposed in contact with an outer circumference of the housing, and the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are upstream of the third tube. It is branched from, and can be combined downstream of the first pipe.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the fuel cell device of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are provided.

First, in the structure of the second reactor, the exhaust gas chamber through which the exhaust gas flows is partitioned into a first exhaust gas chamber and a second exhaust gas chamber, and a steam supply pipe extending in a spiral shape is disposed therein, thereby increasing the temperature of the exhaust gas. It has the advantage of lowering and effectively heating the water flowing through the steam supply pipe.

Second, the steam supply pipe disposed in the second reactor has a structure in which the steam supply pipe is connected in parallel, and the flow rate of water flowing through the steam supply pipe that exchanges heat with the exhaust gas or the reformed gas is adjusted to provide an appropriate temperature for the carbon monoxide reduction reaction. there is. This also has the advantage of effectively forming the removal reaction of carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas.

Third, since the steam supply pipe has a structure extending in a spiral shape inside the exhaust gas chamber, it is possible to form a flow path through which the exhaust gas flows inside the exhaust gas chamber. Therefore, the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas chamber flows along the flow path of the spiral structure formed by the steam supply pipe, and there is also an advantage in that the reverse flow of the exhaust gas can be prevented.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a system diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a reformer of a fuel processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of a first reactor of a reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view of a second reactor of a reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 .
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4;
7 is a view for explaining the flow of exhaust gas, reformed gas, and steam in the second reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the third pipe of the steam supply pipe and the flow of water according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the second pipe of the steam supply pipe and the flow of water according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the first pipe of the steam supply pipe and the flow of water according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining a fuel cell device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the fuel cell device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the fuel cell device 1 may include a fuel processing unit 10, a power generation unit II, a cooling water circulation unit III, and/or a heat recovery unit IV.

The fuel processing unit 10 includes a fuel processing device 10, a fuel valve 30 for controlling the flow of fuel gas supplied to the fuel processing device 10, and a first blower for flowing air to the fuel processing device 10. (71) and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the fuel processing device 10 may include a desulfurizer (not shown) and a reformer 110 .

The desulfurizer may perform a desulfurization process for removing sulfur compounds contained in fuel gas. For example, the desulfurizer may have an adsorbent therein. At this time, the sulfur compound included in the fuel gas passing through the desulfurizer may be adsorbed to the adsorbent.

The adsorbent may be composed of metal oxide, zeolite, activated carbon, or the like.

The desulfurizer may further include a filter for removing foreign substances included in the fuel gas.

The reformer 110 may include a first reactor 112, a second reactor 140, a burner 180, and a steam supply pipe 190.

The first reactor 112 may perform a reforming reaction of generating hydrogen gas from fuel gas from which sulfur compounds are removed by using a catalyst. The second reactor 140 may reduce or remove carbon monoxide generated by a reforming reaction among components included in the gas discharged from the first reactor 112.

The burner 180 may supply heat to the reformer 110 to promote a reforming reaction in the first reactor 112 . A portion of the fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer may be mixed with air and supplied to the burner 180 . At this time, the burner 180 may generate combustion heat by burning a mixed gas in which fuel gas and air are mixed.

The steam supply pipe 190 may vaporize water by absorbing exhaust gas generated from the burner 180 and heat from the first reactor 112 and/or the second reactor 140 . The steam supply pipe 190 may discharge vaporized steam into the first reactor 112 . The steam supply pipe 190 of the present invention may be arranged such that at least two pipes arranged in parallel selectively exchange heat with the second reactor 140 . The steam supply pipe 190 includes a first steam supply pipe 190a that exchanges heat with the second reactor 140 and a second steam discharge pipe that exchanges heat with the second reactor 140 and is disposed in parallel with the first heat exchange pipe 191a. (190b).

The specific configuration of the first reactor 112, the second reactor 140, the burner 180, and the steam supply pipe 190 will be described in detail below.

The stacks 20a and 20b may generate electrical energy by causing an electrochemical reaction to the reformed gas supplied from the fuel processing device 10 .

The stacks 20a and 20b may be configured by stacking single cells in which an electrochemical reaction occurs.

A single cell may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in which an anode and an air electrode are disposed around an electrolyte membrane, a separator, and the like. At the fuel electrode of the membrane-electrode assembly, hydrogen can be separated into hydrogen ions and electrons by a catalyst to generate electricity, and at the air electrode of the membrane-electrode assembly, hydrogen ions and electrons combine with oxygen to generate water.

The stacks 20a and 20b may further include a stack heat exchanger (not shown) to dissipate heat generated during the electrochemical reaction. The stack heat exchanger may be a heat exchanger that uses water as a refrigerant. For example, the cooling water supplied to the stack heat exchanger may absorb heat generated in an electrochemical reaction process, and the cooling water whose temperature is raised by the absorbed heat exchanges the stack heat exchanger. It can be discharged to the outside of the group.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the fuel valve 30 may be disposed in a fuel supply pipe (not shown) forming a fuel supply passage 101 through which fuel gas supplied to the fuel processing device 10 flows. Corresponding to the degree of opening of the fuel valve 30, the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel processing device 10 may be adjusted. For example, the fuel valve 30 may block the fuel supply passage 101 so that the supply of fuel gas to the fuel processing device 10 is stopped.

A first fuel flow meter 51 for detecting a flow rate of fuel gas flowing in the fuel supply passage 101 may be disposed in the fuel supply pipe.

The first blower 71 may flow air introduced from the outside through the first external air introduction passage 201 to the fuel processing device 10 through the fuel-side air supply passage 202 .

Air introduced into the fuel processor 10 through the fuel-side air supply passage 202 may be supplied to the burner 180 of the fuel processor 10 . For example, air introduced into the fuel processor 10 may be mixed with fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer in a first mixer (not shown) and supplied to the burner 180 .

In the first external air inlet pipe (not shown) forming the first external air inlet passage 201, a first air filter 91 for removing foreign substances such as dust contained in the air and a filter for restricting the flow direction of air A first air side check valve 81 may be disposed.

The fuel processing unit 10 may include a first internal gas pipe (not shown) forming a first internal gas passage 102 through which the fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer flows to the reformer 110 . In the first internal gas pipe, a proportional control valve 31, an internal fuel valve 32 for controlling the flow of fuel gas flowing into the reformer 110, and a flow rate of fuel gas flowing through the internal gas flow path 102 are detected. A second fuel flow meter 52, a fuel-side check valve 83 for limiting the flow direction of the fuel gas flowing through the internal gas flow path 102, and/or a sulfur detection device 94 may be disposed.

The proportional control valve 31 can control the flow rate, pressure, etc. of the fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer and flowing into the reformer 110 through internal/external feedback in an electrically controlled manner.

The sulfur detection device 94 may detect sulfur contained in the fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer. The sulfur detection device 94 may include an indicator that changes color in response to sulfur compounds not removed by the adsorbent of the desulfurizer. Here, the indicator may include phenolphthalein, a molybdenum compound, and the like.

The fuel processing unit 10 may include a second internal gas pipe (not shown) forming a second internal gas passage 103 through which the fuel gas discharged from the desulfurizer is sent to the burner 180 . The burner 180 may use fuel gas introduced through the second internal gas passage 103 for combustion.

The first internal gas passage 102 and the second internal gas passage 103 may communicate with each other.

The fuel processing device 10 may be connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) forming a water supply passage 303 through which water discharged from the water supply tank 13 flows. In the water supply pipe, a water pump 38 for forming a flow of water flowing through the water supply passage 303, a water supply valve 39 for controlling the flow of water, and a flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 303 A water flow meter 54 for detecting may be disposed.

Exhaust gas generated by the burner 180 of the fuel processing device 10 may be discharged from the fuel processing device 10 through the exhaust gas discharge passage 210 .

The fuel processing device 10 may be connected to a reformed gas discharge pipe (not shown) forming the reformed gas discharge passage 104 . The reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device 10 may flow through the reformed gas discharge passage 104 .

The reformed gas discharge pipe may be connected to the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 in which heat exchange of reformed gas occurs. A reformed gas valve 33 may be disposed in the reformed gas discharge pipe to control the flow of the reformed gas flowing into the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 .

The reformed gas discharge pipe may be connected to a bypass pipe (not shown) forming the bypass passage 105 so that the reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device 10 flows into the fuel processing device 10 . The bypass pipe may be connected to the fuel processing device 10 . The reformed gas flowing from the fuel processing device 10 may be supplied to the burner 180 through the bypass passage 105 . The reformed gas supplied to the burner 180 through the bypass flow path 105 may be used as a fuel for combustion of the burner 180 . A bypass valve 34 may be disposed in the bypass pipe to control the flow of the reformed gas flowing into the fuel processing device 10 .

The power generation unit (II) is discharged without reacting in the stacks 20a and 20b, the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 in which heat exchange of the reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device 10 occurs, and the stacks 20a and 20b. An AOG heat exchanger 22 in which heat exchange of gas occurs, a humidifier 23 for supplying moisture to the air supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b, and a supply device 2 for supplying air to the stacks 20a and 20b include

A second blower 72 or the like may be included to flow air into the stacks 20a and 20b. Here, the gas discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b without reacting may be referred to as anode off gas (AOG). In one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell device 1 is described as having two stacks 20a and 20b, but is not limited thereto.

The reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may be connected to a reformed gas discharge pipe (not shown) forming the reformed gas discharge passage 104 so that the reformed gas discharged from the fuel processing device 10 flows. The reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may be connected to a cooling water supply pipe (not shown) forming the cooling water supply passage 304 so that water discharged from the water supply tank 13 flows. The reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may heat-exchange the reformed gas introduced through the reformed gas discharge passage 104 and the water supplied through the cooling water supply passage 304 .

A cooling water flowmeter ( 56) may be placed.

The reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may be connected to a stack gas supply pipe (not shown) forming the stack gas supply passage 106. The reformed gas discharged from the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may be connected to the stack gas supply passage 106. ) through the stacks 20a and 20b.

A reformed gas moisture removing device 61 may be disposed in the stack gas supply pipe to adjust the amount of moisture included in the reformed gas. The reformed gas introduced into the reformed gas moisture removal device 61 may be discharged from the reformed gas moisture removal device 61 after the moisture is removed.

Condensed water generated in the reformed gas moisture removal device 61 may be discharged from the reformed gas moisture removal device 61 and flow into the first water recovery passage 309 . A first water recovery valve 44 for controlling the flow of water flowing through the first water recovery path 309 may be disposed in the first water recovery pipe (not shown) forming the first water recovery path 309 . .

The stacks 20a and 20b may generate electrical energy by causing an electrochemical reaction to the reformed gas introduced through the stack gas supply passage 106 . In one embodiment, when the fuel cell device 1 includes a plurality of stacks 20a and 20b, the reformed gas discharged without reacting in the first stack 20a is additionally electrochemically discharged from the second stack 20b. can cause a reaction.

The second blower 72 includes a second external air inlet pipe (not shown) forming the second external air inlet passage 203 and a stack-side air inlet pipe (not shown) forming the stack-side air inlet passage 204. ) can be placed in between. The second external air intake pipe may be disposed downstream of the first air filter 91 . The second blower 72 may flow air introduced through the second external air inlet passage 203 toward the stacks 20a and 20b through the stack-side air inlet passage 204 .

A second air-side check valve 82 may be disposed in the second external air inlet pipe to restrict a flow direction of air flowing through the second external air inlet duct 203 .

An air flow meter 53 for detecting a flow rate of air flowing through the stack-side air inlet pipe 204 may be disposed in the stack-side air inlet pipe.

The humidifier 23 can supply moisture to the air introduced through the stack-side air inlet passage 204 and discharge air containing moisture through the stack-side air supply passage 205 .

A stack-side air supply valve 36 may be disposed in a stack-side air supply pipe (not shown) forming the stack-side air supply passage 205 to control the flow of air supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b.

The stack-side air supply pipe may be connected to individual supply pipes (not shown) forming individual supply passages 206 and 207 respectively corresponding to the stacks 20a and 20b. Air flowing through the stack-side air supply passage 205 may be supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b through the individual supply passages 206 and 207 .

The plurality of stacks 20a and 20b may be connected to each other through gas connection pipes (not shown) forming the gas connection passage 107 . The reformed gas discharged without reacting in the first stack 20a may flow into the second stack 20b through the gas connection passage 107 .

An additional moisture removal device 62 may be disposed in the gas connection pipe to remove water generated by condensation of the reformed gas flowing through the gas connection passage 107 while passing through the first stack 20a.

Water generated in the additional water removal device 62 may be discharged from the additional water removal device 62 and flow into the second water recovery passage 310 . A second water recovery valve 45 for controlling the flow of water may be disposed in the second water recovery pipe (not shown) forming the second water recovery passage 310 . The second water collection pipe may be connected to the first water collection pipe.

The anode exhaust gas (AOG) discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b without reacting may flow through the stack gas discharge passage 108 .

The AOG heat exchanger 22 may be connected to a stack gas discharge pipe (not shown) forming the stack gas discharge passage 108 so that the anode exhaust gas (AOG) discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b flows.

The AOG heat exchanger 22 may be connected to a hot water supply pipe (not shown) forming the hot water supply passage 313 so that water discharged from the heat recovery tank 15 flows. The AOG heat exchanger 22 may perform heat exchange between the anode discharge gas (AOG) flowing through the stack gas discharge passage 108 and water flowing through the hot water supply passage 313 .

In the hot water supply pipe, a hot water pump 48 for flowing water stored in the heat recovery tank 15 to the AOG heat exchanger 22 and a hot water flow meter 55 for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the hot water supply passage 313 are arranged It can be.

The AOG heat exchanger 22 may be connected to an AOG supply pipe (not shown) forming the AOG supply passage 109 . The AOG heat exchanger 22 may discharge heat-exchanged anode exhaust gas (AOG) through the AOG supply passage 109 . The anode exhaust gas (AOG) discharged from the AOG heat exchanger 22 may flow to the fuel processing device 10 through the AOG supply passage 109 . The anode exhaust gas (AOG) supplied to the fuel processing device 10 through the AOG supply passage 109 may be used as fuel for combustion of the burner 180 .

In the AOG supply pipe, an AOG water removal device 63 for adjusting the amount of moisture contained in the anode exhaust gas (AOG) and an AOG valve for controlling the flow of the anode exhaust gas (AOG) supplied to the fuel processing device 10 (35) can be placed. The anode exhaust gas (AOG) introduced into the AOG moisture removal device 63 may be discharged from the AOG moisture removal device 63 after the moisture is removed.

Condensed water generated in the AOG water removal device 63 may be discharged from the AOG water removal device 63 and flow through the third water recovery passage 311 . A third water recovery valve 46 for controlling the flow of water flowing through the third water recovery path 311 may be disposed in the third water recovery pipe forming the third water recovery path 311 . The third water collection pipe may be connected to the first water collection pipe.

The stack-side air discharge pipe (not shown) forming the stack-side air discharge passage 211 is an individual discharge pipe (not shown) forming individual discharge passages 208 and 209 respectively corresponding to the stacks 20a and 20b. can be connected to A stack-side air discharge valve 37 may be disposed in the stack-side air discharge pipe to control the flow of air flowing through the air discharge passage 211 .

Air discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b may flow to the stack-side air discharge passage 211 through the individual discharge passages 208 and 209 . At this time, air flowing through the stack-side air discharge passage 211 may include moisture generated by an electrochemical reaction occurring in the stacks 20a and 20b.

The stack-side air discharge pipe may be connected to the humidifier 23 . The humidifier 23 may use moisture contained in the air supplied from the stack-side air discharge passage 211 to supply moisture to the air flowing into the stacks 20a and 20b. Air flowing through the stack-side air discharge passage 211 and supplied to the humidifier 23 may pass through the humidifier 23 and be discharged to the humidifier discharge passage 212 .

The cooling water circulation unit (III) includes a water supply tank 13 for storing water generated in the fuel cell device 1, a water pump 38 for flowing water to the fuel processing device 10, and a fuel processing device 10 ), a water supply valve 39 for controlling the flow of water supplied to the water supply, a cooling water pump 43 for flowing water to the reformed gas heat exchanger 21, and the like.

The heat recovery unit (IV) may include a heat recovery tank 15 for storing water used for heat exchange, a heat recovery pump 48 for flowing water stored in the heat recovery tank 15 to the outside of the heat recovery tank 15, and the like. .

The water supply tank 13 may be connected to a water inlet pipe (not shown) forming the water inlet passage 301 . The water supply tank 13 may store water supplied through the water inlet passage 301 . In the water inlet pipe, a first liquid filter 92 for removing foreign substances contained in water supplied from the outside and a water inlet valve 41 for controlling the flow of water flowing into the water supply tank 13 may be disposed. there is.

The water supply tank 13 may be connected to a water discharge pipe (not shown) forming the water discharge passage 302 . The water supply tank 13 may discharge at least a portion of the water stored in the water supply tank 13 to the outside through the water discharge passage 302 . A water discharge valve 42 for controlling the flow of water discharged from the water supply tank 13 may be disposed in the water discharge pipe.

The water supply tank 13 may be connected to a water storage pipe (not shown) forming the water storage passage 308 . The water supply tank 13 may store water flowing through the water storage passage 308 . For example, it is discharged from the reformed gas moisture removal device 61, the additional moisture removal device 62, the AOG moisture removal device 63, and/or the air moisture removal device 64 to form the third water recovery passage 311. Water flowing through may be introduced into the water supply tank 13 via the water storage passage 308 . A second liquid filter 93 may be disposed in the water storage pipe to remove foreign substances included in the water returned to the water supply tank 13 .

At least some of the water stored in the water supply tank 13 may flow to the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 by the cooling water pump 43 and may exchange heat with the reformed gas in the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 . Water discharged from the reformed gas heat exchanger 21 may flow into the stacks 20a and 20b through the stack water supply passage 305 .

Water introduced into the stacks 20a and 20b through the stack water supply passage 305 may cool the stacks 20a and 20b. Water introduced into the stacks 20a and 20b may flow along a stack heat exchanger (not shown) included in the stacks 20a and 20b, and the water generated by the electrochemical reaction occurring in the stacks 20a and 20b can absorb heat.

The plurality of stacks 20a and 20b may be connected by a water connection pipe (not shown) forming the water connection passage 306 . Water discharged from the first stack 20a may flow into the second stack 20b through the water connection passage 306 .

Water discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b may flow into the cooling water heat exchanger 24 through the stack water discharge passage 307 . The cooling water heat exchanger 24 may perform heat exchange between the water discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b and the water discharged from the heat recovery tank 15 . Water discharged from the stacks 20a and 20b may flow to the water storage passage 308 via the cooling water heat exchanger 24 .

Water discharged from the heat recovery tank 15 by the hot water pump 48 may flow into the AOG heat exchanger 22 via the hot water supply passage 313 . The water heat-exchanged with the anode exhaust gas (AOG) in the AOG heat exchanger 22 may be discharged to the first hot water circulation circuit 314 .

The air heat exchanger 25 may be connected to a humidifier discharge pipe (not shown) forming the humidifier discharge passage 212 so that air discharged from the humidifier 23 flows. The air heat exchanger 25 may be connected to the first hot water circulation circuit 314 through which water discharged from the AOG heat exchanger 22 flows. The air heat exchanger 25 may heat exchange air introduced through the humidifier discharge passage 212 and water introduced through the first hot water circulation circuit 314 .

Air heat-exchanged in the air heat exchanger 25 may be discharged from the air heat exchanger 25 through the air discharge passage 213 . An air discharge pipe (not shown) forming the air discharge passage 213 may be connected to an exhaust gas discharge pipe (not shown) forming the exhaust gas discharge passage 210 . Exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas discharge passage 210 and air flowing in the air discharge passage 213 may be mixed.

An air moisture removing device 64 may be disposed in the air discharge pipe. The air moisture removing device 64 may adjust the amount of moisture contained in the air discharged to the outside. The air introduced into the air moisture removal device 64 may be discharged from the air moisture removal device 64 after the moisture is removed.

Condensed water generated in the air moisture removal device 64 may be discharged from the air moisture removal device 64 and flow through the fourth water recovery passage 312 . A fourth water recovery valve 47 for controlling the flow of water may be disposed in a fourth water recovery pipe (not shown) forming the fourth water recovery passage 312 . The fourth water recovery pipe may be connected to the water storage pipe.

Water heat-exchanged in the air heat exchanger 25 may be discharged from the air heat exchanger 25 through the second hot water circulation passage 315 . Water discharged from the air heat exchanger 25 may flow into the cooling water heat exchanger 24 through the second hot water circulation passage 315 .

The cooling water heat exchanger 24 may heat exchange water introduced through the stack water discharge passage 307 and water introduced through the second hot water circulation passage 315 .

The exhaust heat exchanger 26 may be connected to an exhaust gas discharge pipe forming an exhaust gas discharge passage 210 through which exhaust gas flows. The exhaust heat exchanger 26 may be connected to a third hot water circulation pipe (not shown) forming the third hot water circulation passage 316 so that water discharged from the cooling water heat exchanger 24 flows. The exhaust heat exchanger 26 may heat-exchange the exhaust gas introduced through the exhaust gas discharge passage 210 and the water introduced through the third hot water circulation passage 316 .

Exhaust gas heat-exchanged in the exhaust heat exchanger 26 may be discharged to the exhaust passage 213, and exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage 213 may be discharged to the outside.

Water heat-exchanged in the exhaust heat exchanger 26 may be discharged to the hot water recovery passage 317 , and water flowing in the hot water recovery passage 317 may flow into the heat recovery tank 15 .

Hereinafter, a fuel processing device 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10 . Specifically, the configuration of the reformer 110 included in the fuel processing device 10 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the fuel processing device 10 includes a first reactor 112 for generating reformed gas containing hydrogen by reacting gas with steam, and carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas discharged from the first reactor 112. It includes a second reactor 140 to remove. The fuel processing device 10 includes a steam supply pipe 190 supplying steam generated by heat exchange with the second reactor 140 to the first reactor 112 . The fuel processing device 10 may include a burner 180 disposed inside the first reactor 112 to supply heat to the first reactor 112 .

The steam discharge pipe 199 may include a heat exchange pipe 191 for exchanging heat with gas flowing in the second reactor 140 and a steam discharge pipe 199 for supplying steam to the first reactor 112 . The heat exchange tube 191 is arranged so that at least two tubes arranged in parallel exchange heat with the second reactor 140 .

The first reactor 112 includes a first housing 114 forming a space in which hydrogen is generated. The burner 180 is disposed inside the first housing 114 and can burn a mixed gas of gas and air.

Inside the first housing 114, a combustion chamber 130 in which a burner 180 is disposed, a reforming chamber 132 disposed around the combustion chamber 130 and generating hydrogen by a reaction between gas and steam, and a reforming chamber A mixing chamber 138 is formed around 132 and mixes steam and gas.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the burner 180 includes a combustion pipe 182 that opens downward from the bottom of the combustion chamber 130, and the exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion pipe 182 is outside the combustion pipe 182. It can flow to the upper side of the combustion chamber 130 through the circumference.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the reforming chamber 132 may be disposed around the combustion chamber 130 . The reforming chamber 132 may generate hydrogen by reacting the gas discharged from the mixing chamber 138 with steam. The reforming chamber 132 includes a reaction chamber 134 in which a reforming catalyst 134a for promoting a reaction between gas and steam is disposed, and an exhaust disposed above the reaction chamber 134 and in which a reformed gas containing hydrogen flows. chamber 136.

The reaction chamber 134 reacts the gas introduced from the mixing chamber 138 with steam to generate reformed gas containing hydrogen. The reaction chamber 134 is disposed below the discharge chamber 136. The reaction chamber 134 is disposed around the combustion chamber 130, and combustion heat generated from the burner 180 can be transferred. In addition, a reforming catalyst 134a for accelerating a reaction between steam and gas may be disposed in the reaction chamber 134 . The reaction chamber 134 forms an ascending passage. Thus, the reformed gas containing hydrogen discharged from the reaction chamber 134 may be guided to the discharge chamber 136 .

The discharge chamber 136 is disposed above the reaction chamber 134 . A steam supply pipe 190 may be disposed in the discharge chamber 136 . The steam supply pipe 190 disposed in the discharge chamber 136 may be disposed to exchange heat with the combustion chamber 130 . The steam supply pipe 190 disposed in the discharge chamber 136 may be formed in a spiral shape. The steam supply pipe 190 may have a structure in which steam flows from the lower side to the upper side. An upper end of the steam supply pipe 190 extends into the mixing chamber 138 to discharge steam into the mixing chamber 138 .

The mixing chamber 138 may be disposed on the outer circumference of the reforming chamber 132 . The mixing chamber 138 forms a descending passage. Gas and steam discharged from the mixing chamber 138 may flow into the reforming chamber 132 .

The mixing chamber 138 may have a spiral structure. Therefore, it is possible to secure a length through which gas and steam flow while being mixed.

The first housing 114 includes a circumferential wall 116 forming an outer shape, an upper wall 118 covering the upper end of the circumferential wall 116, and a lower wall 120 covering the lower end of the circumferential wall 116. ) may be included. The first housing 114 includes a first inner wall 122 that partitions the combustion chamber 130 and the reforming chamber 132, and a second inner wall 124 that partitions the reforming chamber 132 and the mixing chamber 138. ) may be included. The spiral steam supply pipe 190 disposed inside the first housing 114 is disposed in contact with the first inner wall 122 to exchange heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the combustion chamber 130 .

The first reactor 112 may include a guide wall 126 for a spiral structure inside the mixing chamber 138 .

The first reactor 112 may include a first exhaust gas discharge pipe 128b for sending exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 130 to the second reactor 140 . The first exhaust gas discharge pipe 128b may have a structure protruding from the upper surface of the first reactor 112 . In addition, the first reactor 112 includes a first reformed gas discharge pipe 129 for sending the reformed gas containing hydrogen discharged from the reforming chamber 132 to the second reactor 140, and the gas discharged from the desulfurizer One may include a gas inlet pipe 128a flowing into the reactor 112. Referring to FIG. 3 , the first exhaust gas discharge pipe 128b, the first reformed gas discharge pipe 129, and the gas inlet pipe 128a may be disposed on the upper wall 118 of the first housing 114.

The second reactor 140 is disposed around the first reactor 112 . The second reactor 140 may have a cylindrical shape with a central portion opened in a vertical direction. Therefore, the first reactor 112 is disposed in the central portion opened in the vertical direction.

The second reactor 140 includes a second housing 142 forming a plurality of chambers in which exhaust gas or reformed gas flows. Inside the second housing 142, the first exhaust gas chamber 160 into which the exhaust gas discharged from the first reactor 112 flows, and the exhaust gas flowing from the first exhaust gas chamber 160 are discharged. A purification chamber disposed between the second exhaust gas chamber 162 and the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 and purifying the reformed gas containing hydrogen discharged from the first reactor 112 (166) is formed.

The second housing 142 includes an inner circumferential wall 144 disposed facing the circumferential wall 116 of the first reactor 112 and an outer circumferential wall spaced apart from the inner circumferential wall 144 in the radial direction ( 146).

The second housing 142 is disposed between the inner circumferential wall 144 and the outer circumferential wall 146, and the first exhaust gas chamber 160, the second exhaust gas chamber 162, and the purification chamber 166 It includes a plurality of partition walls (150, 152) partitioning. The plurality of partition walls 150 and 152 are the first partition wall 150 that partitions the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the purification chamber 166, the purification chamber 166 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 It includes a second partition wall 152 partitioning the.

Inside the purification chamber 166, a horizontal plate 154 partitioning a first purification chamber 168 and a second purification chamber 170, which will be described later, may be disposed.

The first exhaust gas chamber 160 may be formed between the inner circumferential wall 144 and the first partition wall 150 . The first exhaust gas chamber 160 may form a downflow passage through which the exhaust gas introduced upward flows downward. The first exhaust gas chamber 160 may be disposed on one side of the purification chamber 166 to supply heat to the purification chamber 166 .

A steam supply pipe 190 may be disposed in the first exhaust gas chamber 160 . Water flowing through the steam supply pipe 190 may exchange heat with exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 .

The inside of the second housing 142 may include a connection chamber 164 communicating the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The connection chamber 164 may be disposed below the purification chamber 166 to connect the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The connection chamber 164 may allow the exhaust gas flowing from the first exhaust gas chamber 160 to flow into the second exhaust gas chamber 162 .

The second exhaust gas chamber 162 may be formed between the outer circumferential wall 146 and the second partition wall 152 . The second exhaust gas chamber 162 may form an upward passage through which the exhaust gas introduced downward flows upward. The second exhaust gas chamber 162 may be disposed on one side of the purification chamber 166 to supply heat to the purification chamber 166 .

A steam supply pipe 190 may be disposed in the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . Water flowing through the steam supply pipe 190 may exchange heat with exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas chamber 162 .

The purification chamber 166 may be disposed between the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The purification chamber 166 is disposed between the first partition wall 150 and the second partition wall 152 . The purification chamber 166 may reduce or remove carbon monoxide from the reformed gas flowing downward. The purification chamber 166 includes a first purification chamber 168 for generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide by reacting carbon monoxide with water, and a second purification chamber for removing residual carbon monoxide from the reformed gas discharged from the first purification chamber 168 ( 170) may be included.

The first purification chamber 168 is disposed above the second purification chamber 170 . A horizontal plate 154 is disposed between the first purification chamber 168 and the second purification chamber 170 to partition them. The horizontal plate 154 may partition the inside of the purification chamber 166 vertically. The horizontal plate 154 may be formed with a plurality of communication holes 154a so that the reformed gas flowing in the first purification chamber 168 flows to the second purification chamber 170 .

In the first purifying chamber 168, a first catalyst 168a promoting a reaction between carbon monoxide and water may be disposed. The first catalyst 168a may promote generation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide by reacting carbon monoxide with water.

A second catalyst 170a that accelerates the reaction between carbon monoxide and hydrogen may be disposed in the second purification chamber 170 . The second catalyst 170a may promote the production of methane and water by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen.

The first purification chamber 168 and the second purification chamber 170 are disposed between the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162, so that the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas Heat may be supplied from each of the gas chambers 162 .

The second reactor 140 may include an exhaust gas inlet pipe 156a supplying exhaust gas discharged from the first reactor 112 into the second reactor 140 . The exhaust gas inlet pipe 156a may have a structure protruding from the upper surface of the second reactor 140 . The exhaust gas inlet pipe 156a may be connected to the first exhaust gas discharge pipe 128b.

The second reactor 140 may include a second exhaust gas discharge pipe 156b that directs the exhaust gas discharged from the second reactor 140 to the outside of the second reactor 140 .

In addition, the second reactor 140 includes a reformed gas inlet pipe 158a for supplying reformed gas containing hydrogen discharged from the first reactor 112 into the second reactor 140, and carbon monoxide is removed to form a second reactor 140. A second reformed gas discharge pipe 158b for supplying the reformed gas discharged from the reactor 140 to the stacks 20a and 20b may be included.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the exhaust gas inlet pipe 156a, the second exhaust gas discharge pipe 156b, and the second reformed gas discharge pipe 158b protrude upward from the second housing 142. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the reformed gas inlet pipe 158a may be connected to a lower portion of the second housing 142 .

Referring to FIG. 7, the flow of exhaust gas, reformed gas, and water will be described.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the exhaust gas discharged from the first reactor 112 flows through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . That is, the exhaust gas flows downward through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and flows upward through the second exhaust gas chamber 162 .

Exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 may supply heat to the steam supply pipe 190 and the reforming chamber 132 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the reformed gas discharged from the first reactor 112 flows upward through the purification chamber 166 . Specifically, the reformed gas may flow sequentially through the first purification chamber 168 and the second purification chamber 170 . The reformed gas flowing through the first purification chamber 168 and the second purification chamber 170 may receive heat from the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and the second exhaust gas chamber 162 disposed on both sides, respectively. .

Referring to FIG. 7 , water flowing inside the third pipes 196a and 196b flows from the lower side to the upper side. The water flowing inside the second pipes 194a and 194b flows from the upper side to the lower side. Water flowing inside the first tubes 192a and 192b flows from the lower side to the upper side.

The direction of the water flowing through the second pipes 194a and 194b is different from the flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . In addition, the direction of the water flowing through the first pipes 192a and 192b is different from the flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 .

The steam supply pipe 190 may be disposed in contact with the second reactor 140 or disposed inside the second reactor 140 . Hereinafter, the heat exchange tube 191 disposed to exchange heat with the second reactor 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 . The heat exchange tube 191 may be arranged in a spiral shape outside or inside the second reactor 140 .

The heat exchange tube 191 includes a first heat exchange tube 191a that exchanges heat with the second reactor 140 and a second heat exchange tube that exchanges heat with the second reactor 140 and is disposed in parallel with the first heat exchange tube 191a. (191b).

The first heat exchange tube 191a and the second heat exchange tube 191b may be connected in parallel to each other. Here, the parallel connection means having a structure in which both ends of the first heat exchange tube 191a and the second heat exchange tube 191b are connected to each other. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10 , the steam supply pipe 199 may have a structure in which a first heat exchange pipe 191a and a second heat exchange pipe 191b are branched and then joined again to flow.

Each of the first heat exchange tubes 191a and the second heat exchange tubes 191b may be alternately disposed. That is, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10 , the first heat exchange tube 191a and the second heat exchange tube 191b are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals and may extend in a spiral shape.

Each of the first heat exchange pipe 191a and the second heat exchange pipe 191b includes first pipes 192a and 192b disposed in the first exhaust gas chamber 160 and disposed in the second exhaust gas chamber 162. It includes second tubes 194a and 194b and third tubes 196a and 196b disposed in contact with the outside of the outer circumferential wall 146 of the second housing 142 . Water flowing through the steam supply pipe 190 flows in the order of the third pipes 196a and 196b, the second pipes 194a and 194b, and the first pipes 192a and 192b.

The third tubes 196a and 196b are disposed in contact with the outer circumferential wall 146 . The third tubes 196a and 196b may be arranged in a spiral shape on the outer circumferential wall 146. The third pipes 196a and 196b may be arranged such that water flowing therein moves from a lower side to an upper side.

The second tubes 194a and 194b are disposed inside the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The second tubes 194a and 194b may be spirally arranged inside the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The second pipes 194a and 194b may be arranged so that water flowing therein moves from an upper side to a lower side. The second pipes 194a and 194b may expand a flow path of the exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The second pipes 194a and 194b may form a spiral structured duct to flow the exhaust gas inside the second exhaust gas chamber 162 .

The second tubes 194a and 194b may be disposed in contact with the second partition wall 152 disposed inside the second housing 142 .

The first tubes 192a and 192b are disposed inside the first exhaust gas chamber 160 . The first tubes 192a and 192b may be spirally arranged inside the second exhaust gas chamber 162 . The first pipes 192a and 192b may be arranged such that water flowing therein moves from a lower side to an upper side. The first pipes 192a and 192b may expand a flow path of the exhaust gas flowing in the first exhaust gas chamber 160 . The first pipes 192a and 192b may form a spiral structured duct to flow the exhaust gas inside the first exhaust gas chamber 160 .

The first tubes 192a and 192b may be disposed in contact with the first partition wall 150 disposed inside the second housing 142 .

The length of the third tube (196a, 196b) may be formed longer than the length of the second tube (194a, 194b). The lengths of the third tubes 196a and 196b may be shorter than those of the first tubes 192a and 192b.

The length of the first tube (192a, 192b) may be formed longer than the length of the third tube (196a, 196b) or the second tube (194a, 194b). Accordingly, the water flowing through the first tubes 192a and 192b can be quickly heated to steam by receiving the hot heat of the exhaust gas flowing from the first reactor 112 . The flow direction of the water flowing through the second pipes 194a and 194b and the flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas chamber 162 may be different. Also, the flow direction of the water flowing through the first pipes 192a and 192b and the flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber 160 may be different.

The first tubes 192a and 192b are connected to the first reactor 112. The first tubes 192a and 192b are joined to each other downstream and connected to the first reactor 112.

A first valve 198a for controlling the flow of water flowing inside the first heat exchange pipe 191a is disposed in the first heat exchange pipe 191a. A second valve 198b for controlling the flow of water flowing inside the second heat exchange pipe 191b is disposed in the second heat exchange pipe 191b.

The first valve 198a and the second valve 198b may be selectively opened and closed. Here, the meaning of the selective opening/closing may include a case in which only one of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b is opened, or both the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b are opened or closed. there is.

The operation of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b may be controlled in conjunction with the fuel valve 30 . The operation of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b may be controlled according to the amount of electrical energy generated by the stacks 20a and 20b.

The fuel cell device 1 of the present invention may include a controller (not shown) that controls the operation of the fuel valve 30, the first valve 198a, and the second valve 198b. The controller may adjust the opening and closing of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b based on the amount of power generated by the stacks 20a and 20b. The amount of power generated by the stacks 20a and 20b may vary according to user requirements.

The controller may open both the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b when the amount of power generated by the stacks 20a and 20b exceeds a predetermined level. When the amount of power generation from the fuel cell is large, since the amount of hydrogen reforming generated in the first reactor 112 increases, the amount of carbon monoxide as a by-product also increases. Accordingly, the load of the second reactor 140 for reducing or removing carbon monoxide is increased. Accordingly, the amount of reaction in the reforming chamber 132 may increase, and the amount of heat generated, which is a characteristic of the carbon monoxide reduction reaction, may increase. When the second reactor 140 is not properly cooled, the temperature of the second reactor 140 may increase due to self-heating of the catalyst. When the temperature of the second reactor 140 rises, the activity of the catalyst disposed in the second reactor 140 increases, so that the reaction amount further increases and the possibility of temperature runaway increases. Therefore, as the amount of power generation from the fuel cell increases, cooling of the second reactor 140 for removing carbon monoxide is more necessary. Thus, both the second valve 198b of the first valve 198a are opened to increase the cooling effect.

Since a large amount of power generation may mean a large amount of gas supplied to the reformer 110, the opening degree of the fuel valve 30 may affect the operation of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b. there is. That is, when the amount of opening of the fuel valve 30 increases, since the amount of power generation increases, both the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b can be opened.

The controller may open only one of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b when the amount of power generated by the stacks 20a and 20b falls below a predetermined level. When the amount of power generated by the fuel cell is small, the amount of reforming hydrogen generated in the first reactor 112 is small, and thus the amount of carbon monoxide is also small. Therefore, the reaction amount of carbon monoxide reacted in the second reactor 140 is small, and the amount of heat generated by the reaction is reduced, thereby reducing the temperature of the second reactor 140 . When the temperature of the second reactor 140 decreases, the activity of the catalyst decreases, so that the reaction for reducing carbon monoxide decreases, and some of the carbon monoxide may leak out. Since this adversely affects the stacks 20a and 20b, the cooling effect of the second reactor 140 may be reduced by closing one of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b. Accordingly, the temperature of the second reactor 140 is increased again to maintain the catalytic reaction temperature.

A small amount of power generation may mean that the amount of gas supplied to the reformer 110 is small. Accordingly, when the opening amount of the fuel valve 30 is decreased, since the amount of power generation is reduced, only one of the first valve 198a and the second valve 198b may be opened.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications and implementations are possible by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

1: fuel cell system 10: fuel processing device
13: water supply tank 20a, 20b: stack
38: water pump 110: reformer
112: first reactor 114: first housing
116: peripheral wall 122: first inner wall
124: second inner wall 126: guide wall
130: combustion chamber 132: reforming chamber
134: reaction chamber 136: discharge chamber
138: mixing chamber 140: second reactor
142: second housing 144: inner circumferential wall
146: outer circumferential wall 150: first partition wall
152: second partition wall 154: horizontal plate
160: first exhaust gas chamber 162: second exhaust gas chamber
164: connection chamber 166: purification chamber
168: first purification chamber 170: second purification chamber
180: burner 182: combustion pipe
190: steam supply pipe 191a, 191b: heat exchange pipe
192a, 192b: Hall 1 194a, 194b: Hall 2
196a, 196b: pipe 3 198a, 198b: valve

Claims (14)

a fuel processing device generating reformed gas; and
A stack generating electrical energy by causing an electrochemical reaction with reformed gas and air discharged from the fuel processing device,
The fuel processing device,
A first reactor for generating reformed gas by reacting gas with steam;
a second reactor for removing carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas generated in the first reactor;
a burner supplying heat to the first reactor;
A steam supply pipe for heating water flowing therein by exchanging heat with the second reactor and supplying steam to the first reactor;
In the steam supply pipe, a plurality of pipes connected in parallel are arranged to exchange heat with the second reactor,
The steam supply pipe is a fuel processing device for flowing water through some or all of a plurality of pipes connected in parallel. According to claim 1,
The steam supply pipe,
A first steam supply pipe that exchanges heat with the second reactor and a second steam supply pipe that exchanges heat with the second reactor and is disposed in parallel with the first steam supply pipe,
A fuel cell device in which a first valve for controlling the flow of water flowing therein is disposed in the first steam supply pipe, and a second valve for controlling the flow of water flowing therein is disposed in the second steam supply pipe. According to claim 2,
A fuel cell device in which operations of the first valve and the second valve are controlled according to the amount of electric energy generated in the stack. According to claim 2,
Further comprising a fuel valve for adjusting the flow rate of the gas supplied to the fuel processing device,
Fuel controlling the first valve and the second valve so that both the first steam supply pipe and the second steam supply pipe are opened when the flow rate of gas supplied to the reformer through the fuel valve exceeds the set flow rate battery device. According to claim 2,
When the flow rate of the gas supplied to the reformer through the fuel valve is equal to or less than the set flow rate, fuel processing for controlling the first valve or the second valve so that either the first steam supply pipe or the second steam supply pipe is closed. Device. According to claim 1,
The steam supply pipe,
A heat exchange tube disposed in contact with the second reactor and exchanging heat with reformed gas or exhaust gas flowing through the second reactor;
A steam discharge pipe for discharging steam into the first reactor,
The heat exchange tubes are arranged so that a plurality of tubes connected in parallel exchange heat with the second reactor. According to claim 6,
The heat exchange tube includes a first heat exchange tube that exchanges heat with the second reactor and a second heat exchange tube that exchanges heat with the second reactor and is disposed in parallel with the first heat exchange tube,
A fuel cell device in which a first valve for controlling the flow of water flowing therein is disposed in the first heat exchange pipe, and a second valve for controlling the flow of water flowing therein is disposed in the second heat exchange pipe. According to claim 7,
Inside the second reactor,
A first exhaust gas chamber into which the exhaust gas discharged from the first reactor flows;
a second exhaust gas chamber for discharging the exhaust gas flowing from the first exhaust gas chamber;
A purification chamber is disposed between the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber and removes carbon monoxide included in the reformed gas discharged from the first reactor,
The fuel cell device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube is disposed to pass through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber. According to claim 8,
The fuel cell device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube extends in a spiral shape and is alternately disposed with each other. According to claim 8,
Each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube includes a first tube disposed in the first exhaust gas chamber and a second tube disposed in the second exhaust gas chamber,
The fuel cell device is arranged so that the water flowing through the first pipe and the second pipe is opposite to a flow direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber. According to claim 8,
The second reactor includes a housing forming the first exhaust gas chamber, the second exhaust gas chamber, and the purification chamber therein,
the housing,
an inner circumferential wall disposed to face the circumferential wall of the first reactor;
an outer circumferential wall spaced apart from the inner circumferential wall in a radial direction;
a first partition wall disposed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall and partitioning the first exhaust gas chamber and the purification chamber;
and a second partition wall disposed between the first partition wall and the outer circumferential wall and partitioning the purification chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber. According to claim 11,
Each of the first tube and the second tube is disposed in contact with the first partition wall or the second partition wall, and controls the flow of exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas chamber and the second exhaust gas chamber. A fuel cell device arranged in a helical shape to guide. According to claim 8,
The purification chamber includes a first purification chamber for generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide by reacting carbon monoxide with water, and a second purification chamber for removing residual carbon monoxide from the reformed gas discharged from the first purification chamber,
The second purification chamber is disposed above the first purification chamber. According to claim 10,
Each of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube further includes a third tube disposed in contact with an outer circumference of the housing,
The fuel cell device of claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are branched upstream of the third tube and joined downstream of the first tube.

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