JP2006140165A - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell device having a cost competitiveness by realizing reduction in the number of components and the working processes of the components without making air suction interfere with each other. <P>SOLUTION: A heat radiation fan 51 is equipped at a heat radiation device 47 which cools by forced convection the exhaust heat when the exhaust heat from a reforming device 2 and a fuel cell 3 is not utilized by an external heat utilization equipment 7. Further, although the air suction part of a ventilation fan 52 for ventilating the inside of the package 41 is made independent respectively, that is placed adjacently as an air suction port 82, 83. Although the air suction port of the heat radiation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 are made independent respectively, these are placed adjacently as an air suction port 82, 83, thereby, performance deterioration of the heat radiating device 47 and the ventilation fan 52 can be avoided without making air suction interfere with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas.

In recent years, as one of the new power generation systems, there has been a fuel cell device using an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst that has an advantage of low-noise power generation that does not generate harmful substances such as NOX and SOX and has low noise. It is considered. Such a fuel cell device includes a reformer that generates hydrogen gas from natural gas that is a fuel gas, a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen (air) as an oxidant, An air supply device (air blower) that supplies oxygen (air) to the fuel cell, a power converter (inverter) that converts electrical energy generated in the fuel cell into commercial voltage and frequency, and a fuel cell and reformer For recovering generated heat and supplying heat to other external equipment that uses exhaust heat, blower (ventilation fan) that ventilates the body (package), and cooling when exhaust heat is not used It is basically composed of a heat dissipation device (cooling module) to be used. In the above basic configuration, in order to smoothly operate each component, water (steam) is supplied to a blower for boosting natural gas, a desulfurizer for removing sulfur from the natural gas, or a reformer. In order to humidify the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell and the fuel cell, a pump that sends water to the fuel cell, a purification device that removes impurities in the water, an ion exchange device that removes the water electrolyte, fuel gas, air , Various auxiliary devices such as a controller as a controller for controlling the flow rate of water with a solenoid valve are arranged.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-108266

  By the way, in the above configuration, in order to guide the exhaust gas (exhaust gas) generated from the fuel cell or reformer to the heat recovery device, a pipe connecting the fuel cell or reformer and the heat recovery device is provided outside the main body. For example, a SUS pipe is used, but if this pipe is connected randomly, the vapor condensate in the exhaust gas flows backward to the fuel cell or reformer, and the inside of the pipe, the fuel cell, or the reformer Water accumulates at the exhaust gas outlet of the device. For this reason, the piping pressure loss increases, the internal pressure of the fuel cell and the reformer increases, and the power generation performance and reforming performance are significantly reduced, and the sealing performance of the water seal member is lowered. Will also fail.

  In addition, as the operating time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the performance of the desulfurizer, the purification device, the ion exchange device, and the like gradually decreases, so that the operation of the device cannot be maintained as it is. . Therefore, in order to continue the operation as a device, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration of the above-described desulfurizer, purification device, and ion exchange device is required, but each of these parts can be randomly arranged in the main body, If the fixing method of the panel that forms the outer shell of the main body is not considered so that it can be easily attached and detached, there is a problem that it takes a very long time for the maintenance and in some cases the maintenance cannot be performed.

  Furthermore, in the above fuel cell device, when the intake ports of the air supply device, the blower device, and the heat dissipating fan in the heat dissipating device are combined into one, the air intakes interfere with each other, and the performance of these devices is reduced. In addition to lowering the temperature, the temperature inside the main body rises due to insufficient ventilation and the auxiliary equipment does not work properly. In the unlikely event that combustible gas leaks, combustible gas may accumulate in the package due to insufficient ventilation, which may cause a problem in safety.

  Therefore, in order to continue the operation of the fuel cell device safely and normally while avoiding such problems, it is necessary to separate the air inlet of the air supply device, the air blower, and the heat radiating device. Providing multiple parts not only increases costs, such as complicating the processing of the outer panel and increasing the number of lids, but also reduces the window formed on the outer panel and takes out the parts required for maintenance. As a result, it becomes necessary to remove the outer panel itself, resulting in a significant decrease in maintainability.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cost-competitive fuel cell device by reducing the number of parts and parts machining process without interfering with each intake air. There is to do.

  In the fuel cell device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cooling body and the air intake portion of the ventilation body constituting the cooling device are made independent of each other, but these are adjacent to each other so that the intake air does not interfere with each other, and the cooling device And performance degradation of the ventilation body can be avoided.

  In the fuel cell device according to the second aspect of the present invention, dust in the air that tends to enter the package can be effectively removed, and the filter itself can be attached and detached, so that the filter maintenance is facilitated.

  In the fuel cell device according to the third aspect of the present invention, by providing a common penetrating portion or lid for adjacent intake bodies, the processing of the outer panel becomes complicated when the penetrating portion is provided, or the number of lids is small. The problem of an increase can be solved, and the number of parts and the part machining process can be reduced.

  According to the fuel cell device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the performance degradation of the cooling body and the ventilation body without interference between the intake air of the heat dissipation fan and the ventilation fan.

  According to the fuel cell device of claim 2 of the present invention, dust in the air that tends to enter the package can be effectively removed.

  According to the fuel cell device of claim 3 of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of components and the component machining process, and it is possible to provide a fuel cell device with cost competitiveness.

  Embodiments of a fuel cell device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 showing a schematic configuration of the entire apparatus, reference numeral 1 denotes an air supply device for supplying oxygen (air) as an oxidant gas, 2 Is a reformer that generates hydrogen gas from fuel gas (raw fuel) such as natural gas, and the oxygen from the air supply device 1 and the hydrogen gas from the reformer 2 cause an electrochemical reaction by the fuel cell 3. Wake up and generate power in the fuel cell 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes an inverter as a power conversion device that converts electric energy (DC power) generated in the fuel cell 3 into AC power having a commercial voltage and frequency. Heat (exhaust gas) generated in the reformer 2 and the fuel cell 3 is recovered by a recovery device that is an exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger, that is, a heat recovery device 5, and is connected to an external heat exchanger 6 that is an exchanger. It is supplied to a heat utilization external device 7 such as a floor heating device or a water heater which is a heat utilization device. In addition, auxiliary devices 8 such as a pump, a solenoid valve, and a controller as a controller for controlling these pump and solenoid valve are provided in order to smoothly operate these components. The schematic configuration in FIG. 1 is common to second and third embodiments described later.

  Next, a more detailed configuration of the main part of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the reformer 2 includes a booster blower 11 for boosting fuel gas, a desulfurizer 12 made of activated carbon connected to a discharge port of the booster blower 11, and an inlet of the outlet of the desulfurizer 12. A reformer 13 composed of a reforming section made of a catalyst and a burner section for heating the reforming section, and a CO shift reactor composed of a catalyst whose inlet is connected to the outlet of the reformer 13 14 and a CO selective reactor 15 made of a catalyst whose inlet is connected to the outlet of the CO shift reactor 14 are connected in order. The outlet of the CO selective reactor 15 is connected to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3, and the outlet of the anode 17 is connected to the burner section of the reformer 13.

  In the fuel cell 3, an electrolyte membrane 19 made of a solid polymer is sandwiched between an anode 17 and a cathode 18 as electrodes carrying a catalyst, and fuel gas and air are fed into the anode 17 and the cathode 18, respectively. For example, a separator (not shown) in which a flow path is formed is provided. Reference numeral 21 denotes an air blower constituting the air supply device 1, and the outlet of the air blower 21 is branched in three directions, one to the cathode 18 of the fuel cell 3 and the other one to the reformer 13. The other one is connected to the CO selective reactor 15 respectively.

  The exhaust gas outlet of the burner part constituting the reformer 13 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam. Then, the exhaust gas from the burner portion of the reformer 13 passes through the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam, and passes through the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 which is the gas port of the reformer 2 and passes through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 to recover heat. It is sent out to a burner exhaust gas inlet 25 which is a gas port of the apparatus 5. Separately from this, a gas port of the cathode 18 constituting the fuel cell 3, that is, an outlet (cathode exhaust gas outlet 26) is connected to a cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 which is a gas port of the heat recovery device 5 by a cathode exhaust gas pipe 27. 30 is a water pump connected to the liquid phase part of the heat recovery device 5, its discharge port is branched in two directions, one discharge port is connected to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3, and the other discharge port is reformed. It is connected to the inlet of the reformer 13 via a water vapor generating heat exchanger 22 constituting the apparatus 2.

  32 is an electromagnetic valve for controlling the inflow amount of city water, and its outlet is connected to the hot water inlet 34 of the hot water heater 33 which is the heat utilization external device 7 via the heat exchanger 6 of the heat recovery device 5. Reference numeral 35 denotes a hot water outlet of the water heater 33. Reference numeral 36 denotes a cold water outlet of the water heater 33, and the cold water outlet 36 is connected to the heat exchanger 6 of the heat recovery device 5 via a circulation pump 37. The circulation pump 37 sends the cold water from the water heater 33 to the heat recovery device 5. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary device 8 such as a sensor, a controller and a switch (for example, a solenoid valve) for controlling the flow and temperature of gas, air and water, and the fuel cell 3 can be used. The inverter 4 that converts the generated DC power into AC power and the control device that controls the operation of the device are also arranged and connected in the device.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the main part of the fuel cell device. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a box-shaped package that forms the outer shell of the fuel cell device body. On the base 42 in the package 41, in addition to the reformer 2 provided with the burner spark plug 43 described above. A fuel cell 3, a heat recovery device 5, and an inverter 4 as a power conversion device are arranged. Various sensors and auxiliary equipment 8 such as a controller and a solenoid valve are disposed below the base 42. A water heater 33 is provided outside the package 41, and a hot water inlet 34 and a cold water outlet 36 of the water heater 33 are connected to the heat recovery device 5 via a circulation pump 37. Further, the electromagnetic valve 32 is also provided inside the package 41 together with the circulation pump 37.

  The burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is provided at a position higher than the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5. The cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 is also provided at a position higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 of the heat recovery device 5. The burner exhaust gas pipe 24 connecting the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 and the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5 is inclined to the heat recovery device 5 so as to be inclined downward, and A cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 connecting the cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 and the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 of the heat recovery apparatus 5 is also inclined so as to be inclined downward toward the heat recovery apparatus 5 side.

  Next, the effect | action is demonstrated about the said structure. When the operation as the fuel cell device is started, the fuel gas enters the booster blower 11 of the reformer 2 to be pressurized and sent to the desulfurizer 12. Here, sulfur contained in the fuel gas is removed by the adsorption action of the desulfurizing agent. In this embodiment, activated carbon is used as the desulfurizing agent. However, other catalysts may be used as long as sulfur contained in the fuel gas can be removed. The purpose of removing the sulfur content by the desulfurizer 12 is to prevent the subsequent catalyst such as the reformer 13 from being deteriorated by the fuel sulfur content.

  The fuel gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 12 is mixed with the steam generated by the steam generating heat exchanger 22 and enters the reforming section of the reformer 13. This reforming section is heated to about 750 ° C. by the burner section, and the fuel gas is changed into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide) by the action of the catalyst. However, although the gas produced here contains a little amount of carbon monoxide, the performance of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 3 to be described later is significantly reduced by carbon monoxide. Must be below a certain value.

  The fuel gas that has passed through the reformer 13 enters the next CO shift reactor 14, where carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor to change into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide by the action of the catalyst, and the carbon monoxide The concentration drops to a fairly low level. The fuel gas that has passed through the CO shift reactor 14 further enters the CO selective reactor 15 and is mixed with the air (oxygen) fed by the air blower 21, and the carbon monoxide contained therein is oxidized by the action of the catalyst. Change to carbon. At this time, the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas can be lowered to a concentration that does not adversely affect the fuel cell 3 for the first time.

  The fuel gas that has passed through the CO selective reactor 15 is sent to the anode 17 that is one electrode of the fuel cell 3. Air (oxygen) is sent to the cathode 18 which is the other electrode by the air blower 21. The hydrogen of the anode 17 is ionized by the action of the catalyst, passes through the electrolyte membrane 19 and is combined with oxygen on the cathode 18 side. Thereby, reaction heat is generated simultaneously with the generation of water. Further, due to this electrochemical reaction, a negative electrode potential is generated at the anode 17 and a positive electrode potential is generated at the cathode 18, and electric power can be taken out from the fuel cell 3.

  The fuel gas that has passed through the anode 17 consumes most of the hydrogen gas, but still contains a considerable concentration of hydrogen gas, which is returned to the burner section of the reformer 13 and is returned by the air blower 21. It is mixed with the air sent in and burned in the burner section. Thereby, the remaining hydrogen gas can be used for raising the temperature of the reforming section.

  The air that has passed through the cathode 18 has water (water vapor) generated in the fuel cell 3 and heat, and this is passed from the cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 to the heat recovery device 5 through the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27. Thus, the water is returned to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 by the water pump 30, so that the solid polymer membrane (electrolyte membrane 19) is humidified and the fuel cell 3 is cooled. Similarly, the water sent to the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam by the water pump 30 is heated by the burner exhaust gas discharged from the burner portion of the reformer 13 and converted to steam together with the fuel gas from the booster blower 11. Enters the reforming section of the mass device 13. At that time, the cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 is provided at a position higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 of the heat recovery device 5, and the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is inclined downward toward the heat recovery device 5. Therefore, the steam condensed water passing through the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is smoothly sent out to the heat recovery device 5 without flowing back in the middle.

  Further, the burner exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam is sent from the burner exhaust outlet 23 of the reformer 2 to the heat recovery device 5 through the burner exhaust pipe 24 and releases the thermal energy that it has. . Here, the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is provided at a position higher than the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5, and the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 has a downward slope toward the heat recovery device 5. Thus, the steam condensate passing through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is smoothly sent out to the heat recovery device 5 without flowing back in the middle.

  Next, the operation of the heat utilizing external device 7 will be described. First, before operating the fuel cell device, the solenoid valve 32 is opened, and the city water is filled in the water heater 33. Thereafter, when the operation of the fuel cell device is started, the circulation pump 37 is operated, and the cold water of the water heater 33 is sent to the heat exchanger 6 of the heat recovery device 5 from the cooling outlet 36 by this circulation pump 37, and the cathode of the fuel cell 3. 18 and the heat energy of the exhaust gas from the burner part of the reformer 13 is used to produce hot water. This hot water is sent out from the heat recovery device 5 to the hot water inlet 34 and returns to the water heater 33 again. The inside of the water heater 33 is in a two-layer state due to the difference in water temperature. The warm water is located in the upper layer of the water tank and the cold water is located in the lower layer of the water tank. Here, it is possible to use the hot water obtained by using the heat exchange device 5 by opening the hot water outlet 35 attached to the upper part of the water storage tank.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device that generates power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, a pipe is provided between the reformer 2 and the heat recovery device 5 as the recovery device. The gas outlet of the heat recovery device 5 connected to the other end of the burner exhaust pipe 24 is connected to the burner exhaust pipe 24 and connected to one end of the burner exhaust pipe 24. The burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is inclined and the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is inclined.

  In this way, the steam condensate discharged from the reformer 2 is smoothly sent down to the heat recovery device 5 through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 without flowing back in the middle when passing through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24. It is. Therefore, the reverse flow of the steam condensate in the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is prevented, and it is possible to operate safely without increasing the pipe pressure loss and increasing the pressure inside the reformer 2.

  In this embodiment, the fuel cell 3 and the heat recovery device 5 are connected by a cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 which is a tubular body, and a cathode exhaust gas outlet as a gas port of the fuel cell 3 connected to one end of the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27. 26 is positioned higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 which is a gas port of the heat recovery apparatus 5 connected to the other end of the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27, and the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is inclined.

  In this way, the vapor condensed water discharged from the fuel cell 3 is smoothly sent down to the heat recovery device 5 while going down the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 without flowing back in the middle when passing through the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27. . Therefore, the reverse flow of the steam condensate in the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is prevented, and it is possible to operate safely without increasing the pipe pressure loss and increasing the pressure inside the fuel cell 3.

  Furthermore, the heat recovery apparatus 5 in the present embodiment includes a heat exchanger 6, and the heat exchanger 6 can be connected to a heat-utilizing external device 7 that is an external device. If it does in this way, the heat energy which the steam condensate from the reformer 2 or the fuel cell 3 holds can be efficiently used by the heat utilization external device 7 via the heat exchanger 6 in the heat exchange device 5. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, the pipe connecting the reformer 2 and the heat recovery apparatus 5 and the pipe connecting the fuel cell 3 and the heat recovery apparatus 5 have been described. It is only necessary to prevent an increase in piping pressure loss in the fuel cell device and an increase in pressure inside the component, and to achieve the purpose of safe operation without causing performance degradation. In addition, the heat-utilizing external device 7 also uses the water heater 33 in this embodiment, but it may be used for indoor heating, for example, and its use is not limited.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as the said 1st Example, and since the description of the common location overlaps, it abbreviate | omits.

  A more detailed configuration of the fuel cell device is as shown in FIG. 4 and is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, at the outlet of the cathode 18 constituting the fuel cell 3, a purification device 45 constituted by a filter having a fine hole of about 1 μm, etc. via a heat exchange device 5 as a heat exchanger using exhaust heat, An ion exchange device 12 made of an ion exchange resin or the like and a water pump 30 are sequentially connected. As a result, the water that has passed through the heat exchange device 5 has its impurities removed when passing through the purification device 45, and further the electrolyte has been removed by the ion exchange device 46. , Supplied to the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam. Further, the burner exhaust outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is connected in the middle of the piping from the cathode exhaust outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 to the heat recovery device 5. The substantial operation of this portion is the same as that of the first embodiment. The same.

  The outlet of the electromagnetic valve 32 is connected to the hot water inlet 34 of the water heater 33 which is the heat utilization external device 7 and the hot water inlet 48 of the heat radiating device (cooling module) 47 via the heat exchange device 5. The cold water outlet 36 of the water heater 33 and the cold water outlet 49 of the heat radiating device 47 are connected to the inlet of the circulation pump 37 via the three-way valve 50. The heat dissipating device 47 is provided with a heat dissipating fan 51, which cools the hot water introduced into the heat dissipating device 47 by forced convection of air taken from the outside, and discharges it as cold water from the cold water outlet 49. Reference numeral 52 denotes a ventilation fan as a blower that discharges the air in the package 41 to the outside by forced convection.

  The configuration of each part in the package 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The package 41 is provided on the front panel 61 on the front side of the apparatus, the rear panel 62 provided opposite to the front panel 61, and on both the left and right sides. The left side panel 63 and the right side panel 64, a bottom panel 65 on the bottom surface, and a top panel 66 provided opposite to the bottom panel 65. Generally, when installing the fuel cell device, the rear panel 62 of the package 41 is installed facing the house (not shown). A common small window 67 is formed in the front panel 61 so as to face the mounting position of the purification device 45 and the ion exchange device 46 arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and the desulfurizer 12 in a position different from this is formed. A small window 68 is formed facing the window. In the present embodiment, the purification device 45, the ion exchange device 46, and the desulfurizer 12 are disposed in the vicinity of the front panel 61. Therefore, the front panel 61 is provided with the small windows 67 and 68. When necessary parts are arranged in the vicinity of a side panel such as the left side panel 63 and the right side panel 64, a small window is provided in the vicinity of the side panel. If the entire panel is detachable from the package 41, it is not necessary to provide the small windows 67 and 58 as in the embodiment.

  In the case of the fuel cell device, since the fuel cell 3 cannot be submerged, it is necessary to place the fuel cell 3 above the water treatment system parts such as the purification device 45 and the ion exchange device 46, for example. Therefore, it is preferable to place the parts that require maintenance near the front or side of the package 41. If there are no such restrictions, it will be difficult to replace the piping of the maintenance parts, especially at the bottom, but the top surface of the package 41 Parts requiring maintenance may be arranged near the (top panel 66). Although not specifically shown in the package 41, a lot of metal piping is used for a gas path and a water path for connecting parts, and much time is spent in assembling and disassembling the product. In this respect, in this embodiment, the maintenance parts are arranged in the vicinity of the outer panel of the package 41 in consideration of the exchangeability of the maintenance parts that are less than the durable life of the product.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a lid that covers the small window 67. The lid 71 is provided with a slit-like through-hole 72 through which air can flow, and is detachably attached by an attachment 73 such as a screw. Reference numeral 74 denotes a filter having air permeability, which is attached by being sandwiched between the lid 71 and the small window 67. The package 41 is provided with an intake port 81 for intake of the package so as to face the small window 67.

  Reference numeral 75 denotes a lid that covers the small window 68. The lid 75 is provided with a slit-like through hole 76 through which air can flow, and is detachably attached by an attachment 77 such as a screw. Reference numeral 78 denotes a filter having air permeability, which is sandwiched between the lid 75 and the small window 68 and attached. Opposite to the small window 68, the package 41 is provided with another intake port 82 that serves both as package intake and cooling module intake.

  The heat radiating device 47 is provided in the vicinity of the left side panel 63 of the package 41. Although not specifically shown in the second embodiment, the heat radiating device 47 and the air blower 21 are partitioned in the package 41. Yes. In addition to the intake port 82, an intake port 83 is provided in the package 41 for intake of the heat radiating device 47. The air intake 83 is used not only for the heat radiating device 47 but also for intake of the whole of the other package 41. In addition, an air intake 84 of the air blower 21 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the right side panel 64 of the package 41 is provided with an exhaust port 86 for exhausting the package. In addition, a connection port 87 of the water heater 33 and a connection port 88 of city water are provided below the exhaust port 86, respectively. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the left side panel 64 of the package 41 is provided with an exhaust port 90 for exhausting the cooling module. Further, a connection port 91 for flowing nitrogen gas into the package 41 and a connection port 92 for city gas serving as fuel gas are provided below the exhaust port 90, respectively. Nitrogen gas introduced from the connection port 91 is used to expel combustible gas, air, or steam in each pipe when the fuel cell device is started or stopped.

  The operation of each part in this embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment. However, after the air from the cathode 18 of the fuel cell 3 passes through the heat recovery device 5 and returns to water, impurities are removed from the water by the purification device 45. Further, in the state in which the electrolyte in the water is removed by the next ion exchange device 46, it is sent to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 by the water pump 30, and the solid polymer membrane (electrolyte membrane 19) is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Used for humidification and cooling of the fuel cell 3.

  Moreover, if the hot water of the hot water heater 33 is not used, the cold water layer inside the hot water heater 33 gradually decreases, and finally the hot water is discharged from the cold water outlet 36 and the heat energy sent to the heat exchange device 5 cannot be recovered. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the three-way valve 50 is switched to guide the hot water to the heat radiating device 47 side. The hot water introduced into the heat dissipating device 47 is cooled by forced convection of the heat dissipating fan 50 and returned to the heat exchanging device 5 as cold water. Thereby, the thermal energy sent into the heat exchange device 5 can be effectively recovered. The ventilation fan 52 guides outside air into the package 41 and suppresses the temperature rise inside the package 41. In addition, if the flammable gas leaks into the package 41, the ventilation fan 52 ventilates and reaches an explosion concentration. Before stopping the fuel cell device safely. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  If the operation of the fuel cell device is continued in the above state, as the operation time becomes longer, the desulfurizer 12 has a lower sulfur adsorption capacity in the fuel gas, and the sulfur content reaches a concentration at which the fuel cell device can be maintained. It becomes difficult to remove. In the purification device 45, the amount of water supplied by the water pump 30 cannot satisfy the set value due to clogging or the like. Further, similarly, the ion exchanger 46 cannot sufficiently remove the electrolyte in the water, so that the performance of the fuel cell 3 is lowered, and it is impossible to continue the operation of the fuel cell device.

  Accordingly, in order to stably and continuously operate the fuel cell device, maintenance such as periodic replacement or regeneration of the above-described desulfurizer 12, purification device 45, and ion exchange device 46 is required. In the present embodiment, the parts requiring such maintenance are arranged not in the package 41 but in the vicinity of the front panel 61 that forms the outer surface, so that maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed. In addition, facing the parts requiring maintenance, small windows 67 and 68 are formed in the front panel 61, and the attachments 73 and 77 are removed to cover the small windows 67 and 68. By removing 75 and filters 74 and 78, such parts can be easily maintained through small windows 67 and 68 without disassembling the package 41.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device that generates power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the parts that require maintenance (the purification device 45, the ion exchange device 46, and the desulfurizer 12) are provided. The package 41 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer panel (front panel 61).

  In this case, the parts requiring maintenance are arranged not in the package 41 but in the vicinity of the outer surface panel that forms the outer body of the apparatus main body, and replacement or regeneration is necessary to continue the operation of the fuel cell apparatus. Maintenance can be easily performed for parts.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the parts requiring maintenance are provided on the front panel 61 of the package 41, but may be arranged near the side panel (the right side panel 64 or the left side panel 63) or the top panel 66. Good. In this way, in a general installation state in which the rear panel 62 of the package 41 is mounted facing the house, parts requiring maintenance are arranged near the front panel 61, the side panel, or the top panel 66. Maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be performed from a relatively easily accessible part.

  Further, without providing the small windows 67 and 68 as in the present embodiment, the outer panel of the package 41 may be detachably attached to the panel itself facing at least a part requiring maintenance. . In this way, since the outer panel in the vicinity of the parts requiring maintenance can be attached and detached, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed from there.

  The part requiring maintenance is preferably a desulfurizer 12 that removes the sulfur content of the fuel gas. In this case, as the operating time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the desulfurizer 12 gradually decreases the sulfur adsorption capacity, and it becomes difficult to remove the sulfur component to a concentration that can maintain the operation of the fuel cell device. Since maintenance of the desulfurizer 12 can be easily performed, the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

  Further, as a component requiring maintenance, a purifying device 45 that removes impurities of water from the heat recovery device 5 may be used. In this case, as the operating time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the amount of water delivered cannot satisfy the set value due to clogging or the like, but the purification device 45 can be easily maintained, so that the fuel cell device can be stably operated. It becomes possible to continue driving.

  In addition, the ion exchange device 46 that removes the water electrolyte from the heat recovery device 5 may be used as a component requiring maintenance. In this case, as the operation time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the electrolyte cannot be sufficiently removed, the performance of the fuel cell 3 is deteriorated, and it becomes impossible to continue the operation of the fuel cell device. Since the maintenance of the device 46 can be easily performed, the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

  In this embodiment, small windows 67 and 68 are formed as penetrating parts that can be taken out and replaced while facing parts requiring maintenance, and lids 71 and 75 are formed in the small windows 67 and 68. Is provided.

  In this case, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed through the small windows 67 and 68 by removing the lids 71 and 75 covering the small windows 67 and 68 without removing the outer panel itself.

  Further, as in this embodiment, the lids 71 and 75 may be formed with through holes 72 and 76 through which air can flow. In this way, air inside and outside the package 41 can be distributed through the through holes 72 and 76, and the lids 71 and 75 provided in the small windows 67 and 68 in consideration of maintenance are inherently suppressed in the temperature inside the package 41. Can be used for such as.

  In this case, the small windows 67 and 68 are preferably provided with filters 74 and 78 for removing dust. In this way, dust in the air that is about to enter the package 41 can be effectively removed, and if the filters 74 and 78 themselves can be attached and detached as in this embodiment, the maintenance of the filters 74 and 78 is facilitated.

  In the second embodiment, the desulfurizer 12, the purification device 45, and the ion exchange device 46 are cited as parts requiring maintenance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in short, the fuel cell device is operated. It is only necessary to achieve the purpose of easily performing maintenance of parts that require replacement, regeneration, maintenance, etc. for maintenance. In addition, the lids 71 and 75 may not be provided with the through holes 72 and 76, and the intake ports 81 and 82 for introducing air into the package 41 may be provided at different positions.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as the said 1st Example and 2nd Example, and since the description of the common location overlaps, it abbreviate | omits.

  The more detailed configuration of the fuel cell device in the present embodiment and the configuration in which a part of the package is cut off are the same as those in FIGS. 4 and 5 described in the second embodiment. Inside the package 41, two partition plates 95 and 96 are provided, and the partition plates 95 and 96 partition the outer periphery of the air blower 21 in a frame shape, and the cooling device 47 and The outer peripheries of the components in the other packages 41 are also surrounded by a frame shape. In this way, heat from the components around the air blower 21 is not picked up, and air is sucked into the air blower 21 only from the air inlet 84 formed in the rear panel 62 of the package 41, and intake and exhaust to other packages 41 are performed. It is configured not to interfere with.

  As described above, in the package 41, the air blower 21 and the heat radiating device 47 are partitioned by the partition plates 95 and 96, and the intake ports 84 and the intake ports 82 and 83 are provided independently. The rear panel 62 is provided with a small window (not shown) so as to face the air inlet 84 of the air blower 21, and the heat radiating fan 51 in the heat radiating device 47 and the air inlet 82 of the ventilation fan 52 are adjacent to each other. An integrated small window 68 is provided at a position facing the air inlet 82. Although the intake port 82 is provided on the front panel 61 side, another intake port 83 adjacent to the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 is also provided on the rear panel 62 side. Furthermore, although the desulfurizer 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the small window 68, not only the desulfurizer 12, but also the purifier 45 and the ion purifier 46 may be installed together as parts requiring the same maintenance. Good.

  In this embodiment, these components are arranged in the package 41 so that the intake ports 82 and 83 of the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 in the heat dissipation device 47 are adjacent to each other at the front panel 61 and the rear panel 62. Therefore, although a small window, that is, a window is provided in each of the front panel 61 and the rear panel 62, when the intake ports 82 and 83 are disposed adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the side panel, the right side panel 64 and the left side panel. Each window may be provided in 63. In addition, such windows can be integrated not only with the intake ports of the heat radiating fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 but also with the intake ports of the air blower 21 so that the windows are integrated.

  Although the operation in this embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, conventionally, the air inlet of the air blower 21, the air inlet of the heat radiating fan 51 constituting the heat radiating device 47, and the ventilation fan 52 as the air blower are used. If the air intake vents of the air blower 21 and the ventilation fan 52 are combined in one package, the air intake vents of the air blower 21 and the ventilation fan 52 are combined, the air intake vents of the air blower 21 and the ventilation fan 52 are combined. The set value cannot be satisfied. Further, the heat radiating device 47 hinders heat exchange due to the air whose temperature has risen inside the package 41, and the fuel cell device cannot be continuously operated safely and stably.

  In this regard, in this embodiment, the intake ports of the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 constituting the heat dissipation device 47 are made independent of each other, but adjacent to each other as the intake ports 82 and 83, so that each intake air interferes. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the performance degradation of the heat dissipation device 47 and the ventilation fan 52. In addition, since a common window (small window 68) and lid 75 can be provided in the adjacent inlets 82 and 83, the processing of the outer panel becomes complicated when the window is provided, and the number of lids 75 is small. The problem of an increase can be solved, and the number of parts and the part machining process can be reduced. Furthermore, as the size of the window increases, parts that require maintenance, such as the desulfurizer 12, can be easily removed therefrom.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device that generates power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the heat-utilizing external device 7 does not use the exhaust heat from the reformer 2 or the fuel cell 3. In this case, the intake portion of the heat radiation fan 51 as a cooling body provided in the heat radiation device 47 that is a cooling device that cools the exhaust heat by forced convection and the ventilation fan 52 as a ventilation body that ventilates the inside of the package 41, that is, the intake air While the mouths are independent from each other, they are adjacent to each other as intake ports 82 and 83.

  In this way, while making the intake ports of the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 constituting the heat dissipation device 47 independent of each other, by making these adjoin as the intake ports 82 and 83, each intake air does not interfere, It is possible to avoid performance degradation of the heat dissipation device 47 and the ventilation fan 52.

  Further, in this case, a small window 68 as a penetrating portion is formed on the outer surface panel of the package 41 so as to face the adjacent intake port 82, and a filter 78 for removing dust of air introduced from the intake port 82 is provided with a small window. It is preferable to attach to 68 so that attachment or detachment is possible. In this way, the dust in the air trying to enter the package 41 can be effectively removed, and the filter 78 itself can be attached and detached, so that the maintenance of the filter 78 is facilitated.

  Further, a small window 68 as a penetrating portion is formed in the outer surface panel of the package 41 so as to face the adjacent intake port 82, and a lid 75 provided with a through hole 76 through which air can flow is replaced with a small window 68. It may be detachably attached to. In this way, since the common through-portion (small window 68) and lid 75 can be provided in the adjacent inlets 82 and 83, the processing of the outer panel becomes complicated when the small window 68 is provided, and the lid The problem of increasing the number of 75 can be solved, and the number of parts and the part machining process can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the air inlets of the heat radiating fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 constituting the heat radiating device 47 are particularly mentioned. However, the air inlet of the air blower 21 is also made independent of the air inlets of other parts in the same manner. However, it may be adjacent. In addition, the air blower 21, the heat radiating fan 51, and the ventilation fan 52 are cited as devices that require intake air, and the desulfurizer 12, the purification device 45, and the ion exchange device 46 are listed as components that require maintenance. However, the present invention is not particularly limited, and in summary, when the fuel cell device is operated and maintained, the window of the outer panel of the package 41 is integrated while providing an independent intake portion, and the number of parts and the parts processing process are reduced. It is only necessary to achieve a purpose of providing a cost-competitive fuel cell device that can be reduced, and that can easily perform maintenance of parts that require replacement, regeneration, and maintenance.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, although the solid polymer type fuel cell device has been described in each embodiment, other power generation methods such as a molten carbon type and a solid oxide type may be used. In addition, air is sent to the burner section of the CO selective reactor 15 and the reformer 13 by a single air blower 21, but separate air blowers may be used. The same applies to the water pipe 30. Water may be supplied to the water vapor generating heat exchanger 22 and the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 through separate water pipes.

It is a block block diagram which shows the outline of the fuel cell apparatus common to each Example of this invention. It is a more detailed explanatory view of the fuel cell device in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fuel cell apparatus same as the above. It is more detailed explanatory drawing of the fuel cell apparatus common to 2nd Example and 3rd Example of this invention. It is the perspective view which cut off a part of package of a fuel cell apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view of the fuel cell apparatus in 2nd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of a fuel cell apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view of the fuel cell apparatus in 3rd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of a fuel cell apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

41 packages
47 Heat dissipation device (cooling device)
51 Heat dissipation fan (cooling body)
52 Ventilation fan (ventilator)
68 Small window (penetrating part)
75 lid
78 Filter
82, 83 Air intake (intake part)

Claims (3)

In a fuel cell device that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, the air intake portions of a cooling body provided in the cooling device and a ventilation body that ventilates the inside of the package are adjacent to each other. Fuel cell device. 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein a through part is formed in the package so as to face the adjacent intake part, and a filter for removing dust is attached to the through part. 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein a through-hole is formed in the package so as to face the adjacent intake portion, and a lid body provided with a through hole is attached to the through-hole.

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