JP5317756B2 - Reformer, cell stack device, fuel cell module, and fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reformer for generating fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell, a cell stack device including the reformer, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device.

  In recent years, various fuel cell modules have been proposed in which fuel cells capable of obtaining power using fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and air (oxygen-containing gas) are housed in a storage container as next-generation energy. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in generating a hydrogen-containing gas to be supplied to a fuel cell, for example, a steam reforming method is known in which hydrocarbons such as natural gas are reacted with steam to generate hydrogen, and such reforming is known. Various reformers for carrying out the above have been proposed.

  FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a conventional fuel cell module 90. The fuel cell module 90 is configured by accommodating a cell stack 94 in which a plurality of fuel cell cells 92 are arranged in a storage container 91. FIG.

  Here, a U-shaped reformer 95 is disposed above the cell stack 94, and the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 97 is subjected to steam reforming or the like in the reformer 95. A reforming reaction is performed to reform the fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas). The fuel gas generated by the reformer 95 is supplied to the manifold 93 via the fuel gas supply pipe 96, and the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied from the manifold 93 to each fuel cell 92. With such a configuration, the cell stack device 98 is configured.

  By the way, in the fuel cell module 90 described above, the fuel gas generated by the reformer 95 is supplied into the manifold 93 from the fuel gas supply pipe 96 connected to one end side of the manifold 93. Sufficient fuel gas could not be supplied to the fuel cells 92 arranged at a position farther from the supply pipe 96, and there was a risk that the fuel cells 92 would deteriorate and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 94 might decrease.

  Therefore, the present applicant has a vaporization part provided with a supply port to which raw fuel is supplied at the central part of the cylindrical container, and fuels the raw fuel flowing from the vaporization part on both sides of the container. An application has been filed for a reformer that includes a reforming catalyst provided with a reforming catalyst for reforming gas and provided with a fuel gas delivery port for delivering fuel gas.

JP 2007-59377 A

  However, in a reformer having a vaporization part in the center of a cylindrical container and having reforming parts on both sides of the container, the length of the cell stack device (cell stack) in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. Are the same, the length of the reforming section is shorter than that of the reformer shown in FIG. Accordingly, there is a possibility that sufficient reforming reaction cannot be performed, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is improved by supplying the reformed gas (fuel gas) that is not sufficiently reformed to the fuel cell. There was a risk of decline. Furthermore, by supplying the reformed gas that has not been sufficiently reformed to the fuel cell, carbon deposition may occur in the fuel cell and the fuel cell may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the present invention, even a reformer having a vaporization section in the center of a cylindrical container and having reforming sections on both sides of the container can efficiently perform a reforming reaction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reformer that can be used, and a cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device that include the reformer.

Reformer of the present invention, the center of the cuboid-shaped container, having a vaporizing section for the supply port is provided in which the raw fuel is supplied, on both sides of the container, through the vaporizing unit A reformer having a flow path through which the raw fuel that has flowed flows, and a reforming unit that includes a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel into fuel gas in the flow path, wherein on the opposite side of the vaporizing section of the reformer of the fuel gas supply ports are provided it is delivering the fuel gas, the reforming unit, the raw fuel is the fuel gas supply ports from the vaporizing portion The flow path has a portion that meanders so as to reciprocate between the facing side surfaces in the reforming section. And

  In such a reformer, a vaporization part provided with a supply port for supplying raw fuel to the central part of a cylindrical container, and raw fuel that has flowed in through the vaporization part to both sides of the container. Since it has a flow path for flowing and has a reforming section provided with a reforming catalyst in the flow path, the raw fuel supplied to the vaporization section is supplied to each reforming section and reformed.

  Here, each reforming section is provided with a fuel gas outlet for sending fuel gas generated by the reforming reaction on the side opposite to the vaporization section, and a flow path for the raw fuel flowing from the vaporization section to flow is Since the meandering portion is provided, the flow path for reforming the raw fuel can be lengthened, and the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently, it is possible to suppress the supply of fuel gas that has not been sufficiently reformed to the fuel cell, thereby reducing the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell and the fuel cell. Cell degradation can be suppressed.
In such a reformer, the reforming section is configured to have opposing side surfaces so that the raw fuel flows from the vaporization section side toward the fuel gas delivery port, and the meandering in the flow path is performed. Is formed so that the raw fuel flows back and forth between the opposite side surfaces, so that the raw fuel efficiently flows from the vaporization section toward the fuel gas delivery port, and the raw fuel is efficiently removed. It can be modified.

  In the reformer of the present invention, the vaporization unit is configured to supply a water supply port to which water for vaporization and mixing with the raw fuel is supplied, and the raw fuel flows toward the reforming unit. It is preferable that the flow path is configured to meander so that the raw fuel flows back and forth between the opposed side surfaces.

  In such a reformer, particularly when the raw fuel is subjected to steam reforming, it is necessary to sufficiently vaporize the water supplied from the water supply port in the vaporization section and mix it with the raw fuel. Here, the vaporizing section is configured to have opposing side surfaces so that the raw fuel flows toward the reforming section, and has a portion meandering so that the raw fuel flows back and forth between the opposing side surfaces. Since the flow path is provided, the flow path for vaporizing water can be lengthened. Thereby, water can be efficiently vaporized and the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently.

  A cell stack device according to the present invention comprises a cell stack formed by arranging and electrically connecting a plurality of hollow flat fuel cells having gas flow paths therein, and the fuel cells A cell stack apparatus comprising: a manifold for fixing a lower end and supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell; and the reformer according to any one of the above disposed above the cell stack. The cell stack apparatus is characterized in that the meandering portion of the flow path of the reforming section is formed such that the raw fuel flows along the width direction of the fuel cell.

  In such a cell stack device, since the reformer described above is arranged above the cell stack, the fuel gas can be efficiently supplied to the fuel cell, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be improved. It can suppress that it falls and deterioration of a fuel battery cell.

  In addition, the cell stack may have a temperature distribution such that the temperature on the center side is high and the temperature on the end side is low with power generation. Here, by forming a meandering portion in the flow path of the reforming section so that the raw fuel flows along the width direction of the fuel cell, the raw fuel flowing into the reforming section has a temperature distribution. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature change of the raw fuel, and the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently.

  The fuel cell module of the present invention is characterized in that it contains the cell stack device described above.

  In such a fuel cell module, the reduction in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be suppressed, and the cell stack device that can suppress the deterioration of the fuel cell is provided in the storage container, so that the power generation efficiency has been improved. It can be a fuel cell module.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention is a fuel cell device with improved power generation efficiency because the fuel cell module described above and an auxiliary machine for operating the cell stack device are housed in an outer case. Can do.

Reformer of the present invention, the center of the cuboid-shaped container, having a vaporizing section for the supply port is provided in which the raw fuel is supplied, on both sides of the container, through the vaporizing unit A reformer having a flow path through which the raw fuel that has flowed flows, and a reforming unit that includes a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel into fuel gas in the flow path, wherein on the opposite side of the vaporizing section of the reformer of the fuel gas supply ports are provided it is delivering the fuel gas, the reforming unit, the raw fuel is the fuel gas supply ports from the vaporizing portion Since the flow path has a portion that meanders so as to flow back and forth between the opposing side surfaces in the reforming section, the side surface is configured to flow oppositely . The reforming reaction can be performed efficiently.
Further, by providing such a reformer, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency of the fuel cell and a deterioration of the fuel cell, and to improve the power generation efficiency, a cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device Can be provided.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which extracts and shows the reformer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the reformer shown in FIG. 2. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows another example of the reformer of this invention. It is a top view of the reformer shown in FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of a fuel cell module. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of a fuel cell apparatus. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the conventional cell stack apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the cell stack apparatus 1 of the present invention including the reformer 6 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an excerpt of the reformer 6 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the reformer 6 shown in FIG. In the following drawings, the same numbers are assigned to the same members.

  The cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is electrically connected with a current collecting member (not shown) interposed between a plurality of fuel cells 2 each having a gas flow path. The lower end of the fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3 is fixed to the manifold 4 that supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 2 with an insulating adhesive, and the fuel cell 2 (cell The reformer 6 is disposed above the stack 3), and the fuel gas supply pipes 8 connected to the respective fuel gas delivery ports of the reformer 6 are provided at both ends of the manifold 4. Here, the end portion means a side surface orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 among the space from the end portion of the cell stack 3 to the end portion of the manifold 4 and the side surface of the manifold 4. At both ends of the cell stack 3, conductive members 5 having current drawing portions 9 for collecting and drawing the current generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 2 to the outside are arranged.

  Here, the fuel battery cell 2 has a hollow flat plate shape having a gas flow path through which fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) circulates in the longitudinal direction. On the surface of the support, a fuel-side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and The solid oxide fuel cell 2 in which the oxygen side electrode layer is provided in order is illustrated.

  In the cell stack apparatus 1 described above, raw gas such as natural gas or kerosene is supplied to a reformer 6 described later to perform a reforming reaction, and a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) obtained by the reforming reaction is used as a fuel. The fuel gas is supplied to the manifold 4 through the gas supply pipe 8, and the fuel gas supplied to the manifold 4 is supplied to the fuel battery cell 2. On the other hand, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the outside of the fuel cell 2. Thereby, power generation is performed in the fuel battery cell 2.

  The reformer 6 has a vaporization unit 10 provided with a raw fuel supply port through which a raw fuel is supplied to a central portion in a cylindrical container, and a raw fuel supply pipe 7 is connected to the raw fuel supply port. Yes. Moreover, it has the reforming part 11 which has the reforming catalyst 14 in the both sides (namely, both sides of the vaporization part 10) of a container, and a raw fuel is modified on the opposite side to the vaporization part 10 of each reforming part 11. The fuel gas delivery port for delivering the fuel gas produced by the purification is provided, and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 is connected to the fuel gas delivery port. The vaporization unit 10 and the reforming unit 11 are separated by a wall 12 having air permeability. Further, since the reformer 6 and the manifold 4 are connected by the two fuel gas supply pipes 8, the reformer 6 and the manifold 4 can be firmly connected.

  The raw fuel (for example, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 7 is vaporized in the vaporization unit 10 as necessary, and then modified on both sides of the container (both sides of the vaporization unit 10). The fuel flows into the mass portion 11 and is reformed by the reforming catalyst 14 provided inside the reforming portion 11 to generate fuel gas. Thereby, since the reformer 11 has two reformers 11 in one reformer 6, the reformer 6 can perform the reforming reaction efficiently.

  As the reforming catalyst 14 provided in the reforming unit 11, it is preferable to use a reforming catalyst excellent in reforming efficiency and durability. For example, a porous catalyst such as γ-alumina, α-alumina or cordierite is used. A reforming catalyst or the like in which a noble metal such as Ru or Pt or a base metal such as Ni or Fe is supported on a porous carrier can be used. As the reforming catalyst 14, a generally known reforming catalyst can be used as appropriate in accordance with the reforming reaction performed in the reforming unit 11.

  Here, in the reformer 6 described above, when the lengths in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack device 1 are the same, the reformer 6 is improved compared to the conventional reformer 95 shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the length of the mass portion 11 becomes short and a sufficient reforming reaction cannot be performed. In this case, if fuel gas that has not been sufficiently reformed is supplied to the fuel cell 2, carbon deposition may occur in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cell 2 may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the reformer 6 of the present invention, the opposing side surfaces (reformers) are provided so that the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 7 flows in the reforming section 11 toward the fuel gas delivery port. 6 side surfaces). Furthermore, the partition plate 13 is appropriately provided so as to have a meandering portion of the flow path (hereinafter, the meandering portion may be referred to as a meandering flow path). 2 and 3 show the reforming unit 11 in which all the channels in the reforming unit 11 are meandering channels (the same applies to the following drawings). Depending on the amount of raw fuel processed in the reforming unit 11 and the performance of the reforming catalyst, only a part of the flow path in the reforming unit 11 may be meandered.

  Here, since the flow path in the reforming section 11 has a meandering flow path, the flow path through which the raw fuel of the reforming section 11 flows can be lengthened, and the reforming reaction can be performed efficiently. In addition, since the raw fuel is efficiently reformed, it is possible to prevent the fuel gas that has not been sufficiently reformed from being supplied to the fuel cell 2. Thereby, the fall of the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 2 and the deterioration of the fuel cell 2 can be suppressed. Further, since the meandering channel can be formed simply by providing the partition plate 13, the serpentine channel can be easily formed.

  In addition, by forming the partition plate 13 for forming the meandering flow path with a member having a high heat transfer property, heat transfer to the raw fuel and the reforming catalyst 14 can be promoted. 11 can improve the reforming efficiency.

  Here, the partition plate 13 provided in the reforming unit 11 is formed such that the meandering flow path formed by the partition plate 13 reciprocates between the opposing side surfaces (between the side surfaces of the reformer 6). That is, in the cell stack device 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the fuel cell 3 is formed so as to flow along the width direction.

  As the cell stack 3 generates power, the temperature of the fuel cell 2 rises. Here, in the cell stack 3 in which a plurality of fuel cells 2 are arranged, the fuel cells 2 arranged on the center side are hardly radiated, and the fuel cells 2 arranged on the end side are radiated. Since it is easy, the cell stack 3 may have a temperature distribution in which the temperature on the center side is high and the temperature on the end side is low. In this case, the reforming unit 11 of the reformer 6 disposed above the cell stack 3 also has a temperature distribution in which the temperature on the center side (vaporization unit 10 side) is high and the temperature on the end side is low.

  Therefore, by forming the meandering flow path so that the raw fuel reciprocates in the direction along the width direction of the fuel cell 3 (that is, between the opposing side surfaces), the raw fuel flows through the high temperature region. After that, it flows in a low temperature region. Thereby, it can suppress that a raw fuel repeats a temperature change, and can perform a reforming reaction efficiently.

  In the reformer 6 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an example is shown in which one flow path structure is formed from the vaporization unit 10 to the fuel gas delivery port of the reforming unit 11. In this way, by forming a single flow path structure from the vaporization unit 10 to the fuel gas delivery port of the reforming unit 11, it is possible to suppress (prevent) the occurrence of raw fuel drift. Thereby, the raw fuel can be reformed efficiently.

  By the way, in such a reformer 6, in order to make the power generation of the cell stack 3 efficient, the amount of fuel gas generated in each reforming part 11 arranged on both sides of the container becomes the same amount. It is preferable to do.

  Therefore, in the reformer 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the length from the raw fuel supply port of the vaporization unit 10 to each fuel gas delivery port (in other words, the vaporization unit 11 and the raw fuel supply pipe 7, From the connecting portion to the connecting portion between the reforming portion 11 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8), and each reforming portion 11 includes the reforming catalyst 14 of the same amount and made of the same material. Indicates the state. In other words, in FIG. 1, the length from the raw fuel supply port of the vaporization unit 10 to the breathable wall 12 is equal, the size of the reforming unit 11 and the amount of the reforming catalyst 14 provided in the reforming unit 11. The reformer 6 is made of the same material and has the same length from the raw fuel supply port to the fuel gas delivery port of the vaporizer 10. That is, the reformer 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is symmetrical about the raw fuel supply pipe 7.

  In addition, the fuel gas supply pipe 8 and the manifold 4 are connected to the manifold 4 from the fuel gas delivery port so that the fuel gas supplied to the manifold 4 from the fuel gas supply pipe 8 connected to the reformer 6 becomes an equal amount. Are equal, that is, the length from the raw fuel supply port of the vaporizer 10 of the reformer 6 to the connection between the fuel gas supply pipe 8 and the manifold 4 is preferably equal.

  As a result, the same amount of raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 7 flows toward each reforming unit 11, and the same amount of fuel gas is generated by the reforming reaction in the reforming unit 11. Furthermore, the amount of fuel gas supplied from the respective fuel gas supply pipes 8 to the manifold 4 can be made the same amount. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the reformer of the present invention, which is an exploded perspective view of the reformer 15 with the top cover removed, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reformer 15 shown in FIG.

  In the reformer 15, when performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction, water is supplied to the vaporization unit 10, vaporized into steam, mixed with the raw fuel, and the raw fuel mixed with the steam is modified. Although the vaporization unit 10 is supplied to the mass unit 11, the length of the flow path of the vaporization unit 10 is shorter than that of the conventional reformer 95 shown in FIG. 9, and water can be efficiently vaporized. It is not possible to perform the steam reforming reaction efficiently.

  Therefore, in the reformer 15 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the partition plate 13 is disposed in the vaporization unit 10, and the opposite side surfaces (reformer 6) so that the raw fuel flows toward the reforming unit 11. ) And has a shape (meandering flow path) having a meandering portion so that the raw fuel reciprocates between the opposing side surfaces. 4 and 5 show a case where all of the flow paths in the vaporization unit 10 have the shape of a meandering flow path, and only a part of the flow path can be a meandering flow path.

  Thereby, since the flow path for vaporizing the water in the vaporization part 10 can be lengthened, water can be efficiently vaporized, and the reforming part 11 can perform steam reforming efficiently. .

  The meandering channel in the vaporization unit 10 is preferably formed so as to be continuous with the meandering channel of the reforming unit 11. Therefore, when the meandering channel of the reforming unit 11 is a meandering channel along the width direction of the fuel cell 3, the serpentine channel in the vaporization unit 10 is also along the width direction of the fuel cell 3. A meandering channel is preferred.

  Further, when water is supplied to the vaporization unit 10 (that is, when steam reforming is performed in the reforming unit 11), each of the reforming units 11 arranged on both sides of the container is supplied to the reforming unit 11 as described above. It is preferable that the same amount of fuel gas is generated.

  Therefore, it is preferable to provide the water supply port so that the length from the water supply port of the vaporization unit 10 to the fuel gas delivery port of each reforming unit 11 is equal. For example, a water supply port and a raw fuel supply port are used in combination, a water supply pipe (not shown) connected to the water supply port, and a raw fuel supply pipe connected to the raw fuel supply port are double pipes. can do. Thereby, when steam reforming is performed in the reformer 15, the amount of fuel gas generated in each reforming section 11 can be made equal. In the case of a double pipe, in addition to providing the water supply pipe inside the raw fuel supply pipe 7, the raw fuel supply pipe 7 may be provided inside the water supply pipe.

  In addition, in the cell stack 3 configured to combust excess fuel gas discharged from the gas flow path of the fuel battery cell 2, in addition to the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel battery cells 2 described above, the upper end of the fuel battery cell 2 is used. There may be a non-uniform temperature distribution in which the temperature on the part side is high and the temperature on the lower end part side is low.

  In particular, when a solid oxide fuel cell is used as the fuel cell 2, the power generation temperature of the fuel cell 2 is as high as about 600 ° C. to 1000 ° C. The temperature distribution in the arrangement direction and the temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the fuel cells 2 tend to be non-uniform.

  On the other hand, in the cell stack apparatus 1 including the reformer 15 that performs the steam reforming reaction by evaporating water in the vaporization unit 10, the cell stack 3 is located on the center side (particularly on the center side). Since the temperature on the upper end side of the fuel cell 2 can be lowered, the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3 and the temperature distribution in the vertical direction of the fuel cell 2 are more uniform. Can be close to. Therefore, it is particularly useful when a solid oxide fuel cell is used as the fuel cell 2.

  FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an example of the fuel cell module 16 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) of the present invention in which the above-described cell stack device 1 is stored in the storage container 17. As an example of the reformer, an example is shown in which the reformer 15 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided. In FIG. 6, the reformer 15 is connected to the inner surface of the upper wall of the storage container 17, and the cell stack device 1 is shown with the reformer 15 removed.

  Further, in the module 16 shown in FIG. 6, a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 17 is removed, and the cell stack device 1 (shown with the reformer 15 removed) shown in FIG. The state taken out backward is shown. Below, the storage container 17 which comprises the module 16 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the module 16. In the storage container 17 constituting the module 16, an outer frame of the storage container 17 is formed by the outer wall 18, and a power generation chamber 25 for storing the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) is formed therein.

  In such a storage container 17, air or exhaust gas is allowed to flow between the side portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3 and the outer wall of the storage container 17 facing the side portion. The flow path is provided.

  Here, in the storage container 17, a first wall 19 is formed inside the outer wall 18 with a predetermined interval, and a second wall 20 is arranged inside the first wall 19 with a predetermined interval. Furthermore, a third wall 21 is arranged inside the second wall 20 with a predetermined interval.

  Thereby, the space formed by the outer wall 18 and the first wall 19 becomes the first flow path 22, and the space formed by the second wall 20 and the third wall 21 becomes the second flow path 23. Thus, the space formed by the first wall 19 and the second wall 20 becomes the third flow path 24.

  In the storage container 17 shown in FIG. 7, the upper end portion of the first wall 19 is connected to the second wall 20, and the second wall 20 is connected to the upper wall (outer wall 18) of the storage container 17. The upper end of the third wall 21 is connected to the second wall 20.

  In addition, an air supply pipe 26 for supplying air (oxygen-containing gas) into the storage container 17 is connected to the bottom of the storage container 17, and the air supplied from the air supply pipe 26 is an air introduction part 31. Flowing into. Since the air introduction part 31 is connected to the first flow path 22 by the air introduction port 32, the air flowing through the air introduction part 31 flows to the first flow path 22 through the air introduction port 32. The air that has flowed upward in the first flow path 22 flows into the second flow path 23 through the air circulation port 27 provided in the second wall 19. Then, the air that has flowed downward through the second flow path 23 is supplied into the power generation chamber 25 through an air outlet 29 provided in the third wall 21.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 2 or the exhaust gas generated by burning excess fuel gas on the upper end side of the fuel cell 2 passes through the exhaust gas circulation port 28 provided in the second wall 19. 3 flow into the second flow path 24. The exhaust gas flowing downward through the third flow path 24 flows to the exhaust gas collection part 33 through the exhaust gas collection port 34, and then passes through the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 35 connected to the exhaust gas collection part 33 to the outside of the storage container 17. Exhausted.

  Therefore, the air supplied from the air introduction pipe 26 is heat-exchanged with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas collection unit 33 while flowing through the air introduction unit 31, and then flows through the third flow path while flowing through the first flow path 22. Heat exchange with the exhaust gas flowing through the passage 24 is performed, and heat exchange is performed with the heat in the power generation chamber 25 while flowing through the second flow passage 23.

  7 shows an example in which the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 35 is located inside the air introduction pipe 26, but it is also possible to provide the air introduction pipe 26 so as to be located inside the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 35. Furthermore, the air introduction pipe 26 and the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 35 can be provided with their positions shifted from each other.

  Here, in the module 16 illustrated in FIG. 7, the heat insulating material 30 (the heat insulating material 30 is indicated by hatching in the drawing) is fixed to the second wall 20 side in the third flow path 24. Has been placed. Thereby, heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 23 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 24 can be suppressed, and the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path 23 is prevented from decreasing. it can.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the temperature of the air supplied to the fuel cell 2 falls, and since it can supply high temperature air to the fuel cell 2, it can be set as the module 16 with high electric power generation efficiency.

  The heat insulating material 30 disposed in the third flow path 24 is preferably larger than the outer shape of the side portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3. Thereby, heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 23 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 24 can be efficiently suppressed.

  In addition to the third flow path 24, the heat insulating material 30 prevents the heat in the storage container 17 from being extremely dissipated and the temperature of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) is lowered to prevent the power generation amount from being reduced. In FIG. 7, in addition to the third flow path 24, the bottom of the manifold 4, both side surfaces of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3), and the upper wall (outer wall 18) of the storage container 17 are provided. ) And the reformer 15.

  Here, in the heat insulating material 30 arranged on both side surfaces of the cell stack 3 (fuel cell 2), a hole for allowing air to flow to the fuel cell 2 side is provided corresponding to the air outlet 29. It has been.

  Then, the air supplied from the air outlet 29 into the power generation chamber 25 flows from the lower end side of the fuel cell 2 toward the upper end side, so that the fuel cell 2 can efficiently generate power.

  By storing the cell stack device 1 in the power generation chamber 25 of the storage container 17 as described above, the module 16 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the fuel cell device 36 of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a part of the configuration is omitted.

  The fuel cell device 36 shown in FIG. 8 divides the interior of the outer case made up of the columns 37 and the outer plate 38 by a partition plate 39, and the upper side serves as a module storage chamber 40 for storing the module 16 described above. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary equipment storage chamber 41 for storing auxiliary equipment for operating the module 16. It should be noted that auxiliary equipment stored in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 41 is omitted.

  In addition, the partition plate 39 is provided with an air circulation port 42 for allowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 41 to flow toward the module storage chamber 40, and a module is formed in a part of the exterior plate 38 constituting the module storage chamber 40. An exhaust port 43 for exhausting the air in the storage chamber 40 is provided.

  In such a fuel cell device 36, as described above, the module 16 with improved power generation efficiency is housed in the module storage chamber 40, whereby the fuel cell device 36 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained. it can.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, the raw fuel or water is allowed to flow to the reforming unit 11 side through the raw fuel supply pipe 7 or the water supply pipe (not shown) connected to the raw fuel supply port or the water supply port of the vaporization unit 10. It is also possible to provide a flow direction adjusting member. When the raw fuel supply pipe 7 and the water supply pipe are double pipes, this flow direction adjusting member can be used in combination.

  As the flow direction adjusting member, in addition to a member having holes on the left and right sides of a cylindrical container having a bottom, a member that can appropriately flow air in two directions on the left and right, such as a pipe whose tip is divided into two hands, is used. it can.

  Further, in this case, it is preferable that the outlet of the flow adjustment direction member is provided so as not to face the bottom surface of the vaporizing unit 10. Thereby, it can suppress that the temperature of a part of vaporization part 10 falls rapidly, and the vaporization efficiency of the water in the vaporization part 3 worsens.

  Further, for example, in the storage container 17, the outer wall 18 and the first wall 19 form a first flow path 22, and the second wall 20 and the third wall 21 form a second flow path 23. The third flow path 24 may be formed by the first wall 19 and the second wall 20, and the positions of the air circulation port 27 and the exhaust gas circulation port 28 can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, for example, an air flow passage that connects the first flow path 22 and the second flow path 23 may be provided between the first wall 19 and the second wall 20. An exhaust gas flow passage that connects the power generation chamber 25 and the third flow path 24 may be provided between the three walls 21.

1: Cell stack device 2: Fuel cell 3: Cell stack 4: Manifold 6, 15: Reformer 7: Raw fuel supply pipe 8: Fuel gas supply pipe 10: Vaporizer 11: Reformer 13: Partition plate 16 : Fuel cell module 17: Storage container 36: Fuel cell device

Claims (5)

There is a vaporization section provided with a supply port for supplying raw fuel at the center of a rectangular parallelepiped container, and a flow for flowing the raw fuel flowing through the vaporization section on both sides of the container. And a reformer having a reforming section having a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel into fuel gas in the flow path, the reforming section including the vaporization section Yes on the opposite side, the fuel gas outlet for delivering fuel gas is provided, et al is, the reformer is a side where the raw fuel opposed to flow toward the vaporizing portion and the fuel gas outlet from the side The reformer is characterized in that the flow path has a portion meandering so as to reciprocate between the opposing side surfaces in the reforming section . The vaporization unit is configured to have a water supply port through which water for vaporization and mixing with the raw fuel is supplied, and side surfaces facing the raw fuel so as to flow toward the reforming unit. and a are flow paths, the flow path, reformer according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a site where the raw fuel meander to flow back and forth between the side surfaces of the opposing. A cell stack in which a plurality of hollow flat fuel cells having gas flow paths are arranged and electrically connected in a standing state, and a lower end of the fuel cells are fixed and the fuel cell A cell stack apparatus comprising a manifold for supplying fuel gas to a cell and the reformer according to claim 1 or 2 disposed above the cell stack, The meandering portion of the flow path is formed so that the raw fuel flows along the width direction of the fuel cell. A fuel cell module comprising the cell stack device according to claim 3 housed in a housing container. 5. A fuel cell device comprising: the fuel cell module according to claim 4; and an auxiliary device for operating the cell stack device.

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