JP5725851B2 - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a cell stack formed by arranging a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain power using a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and an oxygen-containing gas (for example, air) Various fuel cell modules housed in a container and fuel cell devices in which a fuel cell module is housed in an outer case have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a fuel cell device, in order to prevent harmful components contained in the exhaust gas from flowing out of the fuel cell device, an exhaust gas treatment means is provided upstream of the heat exchanger in the exhaust gas discharge passage. In addition, an example is known in which a heating unit is provided to warm the exhaust gas processing means including a combustion catalyst when the fuel cell device is started (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-059377 A JP 2010-192272 A

  However, when the combustion catalyst is provided with a heating unit and the combustion catalyst is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in order to warm the combustion catalyst to a predetermined temperature as in Patent Document 2, the fuel cell device normally operates. In this case, there is a problem in that the heating unit is deteriorated because the heating unit is constantly exposed to a high temperature.

The fuel cell device of the present invention is connected to the fuel cell module, which generates power using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas, burns fuel gas not used for power generation to generate exhaust gas, and the fuel cell module And an exhaust gas exhaust passage for flowing exhaust gas, and a heat exchanger that is provided in the exhaust gas exhaust passage and performs heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the refrigerant. Further, exhaust gas is provided between the first combustion catalyst, the heat exchanger, and the first combustion catalyst, which is provided in the exhaust gas discharge passage downstream of the heat exchanger and adsorbs harmful components contained in the exhaust gas. A heating unit provided in a flow path, an oxygen-containing gas supply unit for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell module, a fuel gas supply unit for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell module, A temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the first combustion catalyst; and at the time of start-up, the oxygen-containing gas supply unit and the heating unit are operated, and the oxygen-containing gas that has passed through the heat exchanger is supplied to the heating unit. The temperature of the first combustion catalyst is increased by the heated oxygen-containing gas, and the temperature of the first combustion catalyst measured by the temperature measuring unit can adsorb the harmful components. When the temperature reaches And a control unit for operating the fuel gas supply unit.

  According to the present invention, the first combustion catalyst is provided on the downstream side of the heat exchanger, and the heating unit for heating the exhaust gas is disposed between the heat exchanger and the first combustion catalyst. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the constant exposure of the heating unit to a high temperature and extend the life of the heating unit. Thereby, the life of the fuel cell device can be extended.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a part of the fuel cell device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control at the time of startup of the fuel cell device shown in FIG. 1. It is a conceptual diagram which extracts and shows a part of fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which extracts and shows a part of fuel cell apparatus which is other embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which extracts and shows a part of fuel cell apparatus which is further another embodiment of this invention.

  A fuel cell device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, a part of the side wall constituting the outer case 2 is removed so that the inside of the outer case 2 can be seen.

  In FIG. 1, the fuel cell device 1 is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of fuel cells (not shown) in series in an upper space of a partition member 4 that divides the space inside the outer case 2 in the vertical direction. A fuel cell module storage chamber 5 (hereinafter referred to as module 3) in which a cell stack (not shown) is stored in a storage container (not illustrated) is disposed. , Sometimes abbreviated as module storage chamber 5). The space below the partition member 4 is an auxiliary equipment storage chamber 6 for storing auxiliary equipment (not shown) necessary for operating the module 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust gas discharge passage 11 including a pipe communicating with the outside of the module 3 through the auxiliary machine storage chamber 6 is provided at the lower portion of the module 3 in the module storage chamber 5. A second combustion catalyst 7b is provided on the exhaust gas discharge passage 11 on the module storage chamber 5 side, and a heat exchanger 8 is provided on the auxiliary machinery storage chamber 6 side.

  The module 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the partition member 4 via the heat insulating member 9, and the heat in the module 3 is reduced from being radiated to the partition member 4. An exhaust gas discharge pipe 11 made of piping passes through the heat insulating member 9. In FIG. 2, the example in which the heat insulating member 9 is disposed only on the bottom surface of the module 3 is shown, but the heat insulating member 9 may be disposed on the entire surface so as to cover the module 3. Thereby, it can further reduce that the heat in the module 3 is radiated to the module storage chamber 5.

  Further, by providing the second combustion catalyst 7 b so as to be surrounded by the heat insulating member 9, the combustion heat generated in the second combustion catalyst 7 b can be used to warm the module 3. That is, it is preferable that the second combustion catalyst 7 b is disposed in the module storage chamber 5.

  The configuration of the fuel cell device 1 and members constituting the fuel cell device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The fuel cell device 1 includes a module 3, a raw fuel supply source 17 for supplying fuel gas to the module 3, an oxygen-containing gas supply source 20 for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the module 3, and a raw fuel supply source. A reforming unit 19 for steam reforming the raw fuel supplied from the fuel gas into the fuel gas, and an exhaust gas discharge passage 11 for discharging the exhaust gas containing the steam generated by the module 3 to the outside of the fuel cell device 1. , A heat exchanger 8 for exchanging heat between the exhaust gas and the refrigerant provided in the exhaust gas discharge passage 11, a refrigerant supply source 22 for supplying the refrigerant, and for recovering condensed water condensed from the exhaust gas It has the condensed water collection | recovery part 10, the water storage tank 24 for storing the collected condensed water, and the condensed water processing means 19 for processing condensed water. Moreover, it has the 2nd combustion catalyst 7b and the 1st combustion catalyst 7a as an exhaust gas treatment means for processing exhaust gas.

The module 3 converts the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 17 into a reforming catalyst (
(Not shown) is steam reformed to produce fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas). Then, power is generated by the generated fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply source 20. The module 3 generates power by a cell stack (not shown) in which a plurality of fuel cells (not shown) are electrically connected in series. The fuel gas not used for power generation is oxygen-containing gas (air ) And is combusted above the fuel cell, and an exhaust gas containing water vapor is generated and discharged to the outside of the fuel cell device 1. As the above reforming catalyst, a general catalyst can be used for steam reforming, for example, a catalyst supported by Pt or Rb can be used.

  In addition, an ignition unit 27 is provided inside the module 3 in order to burn fuel gas that has not been used for power generation above the fuel cell. As the ignition unit 27, a heater that generates heat when an electric current is passed can be used. Furthermore, a module temperature measuring unit 28 may be provided to measure the temperature inside the module 3. Examples of the module temperature measurement unit 28 include a thermocouple and a thermistor.

  Thus, since the inside of the module 3 becomes a high temperature state by combustion, it is preferable to use a solid oxide fuel cell device having a high operating temperature of 350 to 750 ° C. as the fuel cell device 1. In the solid oxide fuel cell device, the solid oxide fuel cell module is warmed by the combustion heat, so that the solid oxide fuel cell device can be started quickly and the power generation efficiency can be made high. it can.

  The exhaust gas containing water vapor is discharged from the module 3 to the outside of the fuel cell device 1 through the heat exchanger 8 in the exhaust gas discharge passage 11. Since the exhaust gas is generated by burning the hydrogen-containing gas, the exhaust gas contains water vapor. The heat exchanger 8 condenses the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas by heat exchange of the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas with the refrigerant, thereby generating condensed water. The condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 8 is supplied to the condensed water line L3 in the fuel cell device and stored in the water storage tank 24.

  The condensed water line L3 is a supply line for supplying condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 8 to the reforming unit 4, and includes a condensed water separating member 10 for separating condensed water from exhaust gas, and a water storage tank 24. And a condensate treatment unit 25 for removing impurities such as dust from the condensate, and a condensate pump 26.

  The condensed water supplied from the condensed water line L3 is used when fuel gas is generated in the reforming unit 19. That is, the reforming unit 19 performs steam reforming with the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 17 and the condensed water supplied from the condensed water line L3 to generate fuel gas. Since steam reforming is an endothermic reaction, it is preferable to perform steam reforming using the combustion heat of module 3. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the reforming unit 19 is provided outside the module 3, but the reforming unit 19 may be arranged inside the module 3. Thereby, the combustion heat in the module 3 can be utilized efficiently.

  The refrigerant that exchanges heat with the exhaust gas in the heat exchanger 8 circulates through the refrigerant line L5, and the refrigerant line L5 includes a refrigerant supply source 22 and a refrigerant pump 23. For example, water can be used as the refrigerant, and in that case, a water tank can be used as the refrigerant supply source 22. In addition to water, other liquids may be used as the refrigerant, and a gas such as nitrogen gas may be used.

The raw fuel supply unit includes a raw fuel supply line L1, a raw fuel supply source 17, a raw fuel pump 18, and a reforming unit 19, and the condensed water supplied from the condensed water line L3 is supplied to the reforming unit 19. By supplying the fuel gas, the fuel gas is generated and supplied to the module 3. As raw fuel, hydrocarbon gas such as city gas (13A gas) or liquid fuel such as petroleum can be used. The raw fuel supply source 17 can use a gas cylinder or a tank according to the raw fuel to be used. As described above, the fuel gas supply section includes the reforming section 19 and also includes the raw fuel supply source 17 and the condensed water line L3.

  The oxygen-containing gas supply unit has an oxygen-containing gas line L <b> 2 made of piping, an oxygen-containing gas supply source 20, and an oxygen-containing gas pump 21. As the oxygen-containing gas, oxygen or air can be used. When oxygen is used, a gas cylinder can be used as the oxygen-containing gas supply source 20. When air is used, the oxygen-containing gas supply source 20 communicates with the outside. It is good also as a structure which does.

  The exhaust gas line L4 is constituted by an exhaust gas discharge passage 11 made of piping, and the exhaust gas discharge part is viewed from the exhaust gas line L4, the upstream side in the flow direction of the exhaust gas, the second combustion catalyst 7b, and the second A second temperature measurement unit 15b that measures the temperature of the exhaust gas that has passed through the combustion catalyst 7b, a heat exchanger 8, a heating unit 12, and a first exhaust gas that measures the temperature of the exhaust gas upstream of the first combustion catalyst 7a. 1 temperature measurement unit 15a, first combustion catalyst 7a, and exhaust gas outlet 14.

  The fuel cell device 1 stores a module 3 in a module storage chamber 5 and stores an auxiliary machine for operating the module 3 in an auxiliary machine storage chamber 6.

  When raw fuel gas such as city gas is used as raw fuel, the exhaust gas is generated by raw fuel gas, water vapor, fuel gas (hydrogen) generated by the reforming catalyst, and incomplete combustion in the module 3. It may contain generated CO (carbon monoxide).

  When exhaust gas is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell device 1, it is not preferable that flammable raw fuel gas, fuel gas and CO are discharged as harmful components in the exhaust gas from the safety and environmental aspects. L4 needs to be provided with a combustion catalyst 7b as an exhaust gas treatment means. Further, in order to reduce the discharge of raw fuel gas, fuel gas, and CO to the outside of the fuel cell device, a detection unit that detects the raw fuel gas, fuel gas, and CO is provided with a flow direction of the exhaust gas rather than the combustion catalyst 7b. It may be provided downstream. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the raw fuel gas, the fuel gas, and the CO flow out from the fuel cell device 1 to the outside at the time of start-up and normal operation.

  Examples of the exhaust gas treatment means include a combustion catalyst such as the second combustion catalyst 7b. The combustion catalyst is generally used as long as it is a catalyst for burning or adsorbing a combustible gas. For example, a catalyst carrying Pt or Rb can be used. Since the activation temperature of the catalyst described above is about 200 to 300 ° C., it is preferable to heat it to this predetermined temperature in order to treat exhaust gas.

  Therefore, the fuel cell device 1 includes a first temperature measuring unit 15a for measuring the temperature of the first combustion catalyst 7a and a second temperature measuring unit 15b for measuring the temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b. It can be made to act as an exhaust gas processing part which processes exhaust gas. The first temperature measurement unit 15a and the second temperature measurement unit 15b can be the same as the module temperature measurement unit 28 described above. The same thing may be used for the 1st combustion catalyst 7a and the 2nd combustion catalyst 7b, and it is good also as a different combustion catalyst carried by another catalyst. The temperature of the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b is measured in accordance with the temperature detected by the first temperature measurement unit 15a and the second temperature measurement unit 15b. Calculation of the second combustion catalyst 7b.

As the heating unit 12, a heater that generates heat when an electric current is passed can be used. As will be described in detail later, in the fuel cell device 1, the heating unit 12 is disposed between the heat exchanger 8 and the first combustion catalyst 7a.

  As the control unit 16, for example, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface can be used. And the control part 16 controls the driving | running state of a fuel cell apparatus by controlling each part of a system.

  Control in starting the fuel cell device 1 will be described using a flowchart with reference to FIG.

  When a signal for starting the fuel cell device 1 is transmitted to the control unit 16, the fuel cell device 1 starts to start (S101). First, the oxygen-containing gas pump 21 is operated (S102), and oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply source 20 into the fuel cell device 1 (more specifically, the module 3). The oxygen-containing gas pump 21 is operated at a rate of, for example, 60 to 100 L / min for about 1 minute after the start of activation, and then at a rate of 30 to 50 L / min to fill the fuel cell device 1 with the oxygen-containing gas. Alternatively, it may be always operated at 30 to 50 L / min.

  Next, the heating unit 12 disposed between the heat exchanger 8 and the first combustion catalyst 7a is operated (S103). Thereby, the oxygen-containing gas discharged | emitted from the fuel cell apparatus 1 outside is warmed, and each member which comprises the fuel cell apparatus 1 around the module 3 will be warmed. Therefore, the temperature inside the fuel cell device 1 rises. In addition, by starting simultaneously the ignition part 27 provided in the module 3, the oxygen containing gas which flows through the inside of the module 3 can further be heated, and each member arrange | positioned inside the module 3 can be warmed. it can. Therefore, the temperature inside the fuel cell device 1 can be further increased, and the order of S102 and S103 may be reversed.

  And it is detected whether the temperature measured by the 1st temperature measurement part 15a is more than predetermined temperature (S104). If the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the detection is continued until the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. When it is detected that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the raw fuel pump 18 is operated (S105). The raw fuel pump 18 may be operated at, for example, 1.5 to 3.0 L / min. At this time, the circulation pump 22 may be operated.

  The predetermined temperature may be a temperature required for the first combustion catalyst 7a to burn or adsorb the flammable gas as a harmful component contained in the exhaust gas. If it is a catalyst, it can be 200-350 degreeC. As the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b, ceramics or metal carrying a metal element such as Rb or Pt can be used, and by having a honeycomb structure, the surface area can be increased. it can.

  Next, it is detected whether the temperature measured by the second temperature measurement unit 15b is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (S106). If the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the detection is continued until the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. When it is detected that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the operation of the heating unit 12 is stopped (S107). Thereby, in the 2nd combustion catalyst 7b, combustible gas as a harmful | toxic component can be burned or adsorbed, and it suppresses that the flammable gas as a harmful | toxic component flows out of the fuel cell apparatus 1 outside. Can do. The predetermined temperature can be made equal to the predetermined temperature defined by the first temperature measuring unit 15a when the same one is used for the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b.

  By controlling in this way, by stopping the operation of the heating unit 12, power is not consumed in the heating unit 12, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell device 1 can be improved.

  When the temperature increase rate of the module temperature measuring unit 28 provided in the module 3 is increased, it is determined that the ignition unit 27 has ignited inside the module 3 and the operation of the ignition unit 27 is stopped. May be. Thereby, the electric power consumed in the ignition part 27 is not used, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell device 1 can be improved. Furthermore, after it is determined that the ignition unit 27 has ignited, the circulation pump 25 may be operated to supply condensed water to the reforming unit 19.

  By performing these controls, the fuel cell device 1 shifts to a normal operation operation.

  As another control method, the time required for the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b to reach a predetermined temperature is obtained in advance by the amount of oxygen-containing gas or the amount of raw fuel supplied by experiments or simulations. Alternatively, a predetermined time may be calculated according to the data table, and control may be performed so that the operation of the heating unit 12 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  The normal operation of the fuel cell device 1 will be described. During normal operation, the fuel cell device 1 reforms the fuel gas at the reforming unit 19 with the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply source 17 and the condensed water supplied from the circulation line L3. Then, the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply source 20 are supplied to the fuel battery cell, and the fuel battery cell generates power. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell may contain a part of the raw fuel gas vaporized from the raw fuel (or the raw fuel whose temperature has increased when the raw fuel is a gas) as impurities. However, since it is a trace amount, it does not adversely affect the fuel cell.

  The fuel gas not used for power generation (hydrogen-containing gas) and the raw fuel gas partially contained as impurities react with the oxygen-containing gas inside the module 3 and are burned. The exhaust gas generated by this combustion contains harmful components such as the remaining combustible gas that has not been burned. During the normal operation of the fuel cell device 1, the second combustion catalyst 7b is controlled so that the temperature measured by the second temperature measurement unit 15b is 200 to 350 ° C., which is the activation temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b. ing. As this control, for example, when the temperature measured by the second temperature measurement unit 15b is higher than the activation temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b, the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas is increased or used for combustion. It can be exemplified to control the amount of fuel gas to be reduced. In addition, when the temperature measured by the second temperature measurement unit 15b is lower than the activation temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b, the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas is reduced or the fuel gas used for combustion is reduced. It can be exemplified that the amount is controlled to increase. Thus, by controlling the temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b to the activation temperature of the second combustion catalyst 7b, it is possible to reduce the inflow of combustible gas as a harmful component to the outside of the fuel cell device 1. Further, by maintaining the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b in the vicinity of the activation temperature, it is possible to extend the life of the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b.

  And the exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust gas line L4 is heat-exchanged with a refrigerant | coolant by the heat exchanger 8, and the exhaust gas which the temperature fell will flow through the exhaust gas line L4 after the heat exchanger 8. In the fuel cell device 1, the exhaust gas cooled by the heat exchanger 8 is cooled to 30 to 50 ° C.

If the heating unit 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the second combustion catalyst 7b as in the prior art, the heating unit may be exposed to a high temperature and the life may be shortened. However, as in the fuel cell device 1, heat exchange may be performed. The fuel cell device 1 can be warmed in a short time by the heat of the heating unit 12 even at the start-up time when the temperature is low, by being disposed between the vessel 8 and the first combustion catalyst 7a. Since it is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger 8 as viewed from the flow direction of the exhaust gas, the heating unit 12 is less exposed to high temperatures during normal operation, and the life of the heating unit 12 is extended. can do. Thereby, the life of the fuel cell device 1 can be extended. The heating unit 12 is provided inside the exhaust gas discharge passage 11 between the heat exchanger 8 and the first combustion catalyst 7a, but may be provided downstream of the heat exchanger 8. Further, the first combustion catalyst 7a may be arranged at a position where it can be warmed, and the inside of the exhaust gas discharge passage 11 upstream of the first combustion catalyst 7a or the first combustion catalyst 7a may be directly heated. Good. Even in such a case, the heating unit 12 can be extended in life because it is exposed to a high temperature only for a short time during startup.

The exhaust gas line L4 in the fuel cell device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The exhaust gas line L4 includes a second combustion catalyst 7b, a second temperature measurement unit 15b that measures the temperature of the exhaust gas that has passed through the second combustion catalyst 7b, and heat, as viewed from the upstream side in the exhaust gas flow direction. The exchanger 8, the heating unit 12, the first temperature measuring unit 15 a, the first combustion catalyst 7 a, and the exhaust gas discharge port 14 are included.

  The first temperature measurement unit 15a and the second temperature measurement unit 15b only need to be able to measure the temperatures of the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b, respectively. Further, the first temperature measurement unit 15a and the second temperature measurement unit 15b may be provided directly on the first combustion catalyst 7a and the second combustion catalyst 7b, respectively.

  As the heat exchanger 8, a heat exchanger or the like provided with a plurality of fins in parallel to the exhaust gas flow passage on the outer wall of the pipe forming the water flow passage can be used in addition to the plate fin type heat exchanger. .

  A refrigerant inlet 13 a is provided at the lower part of the side surface of the heat exchanger 8, and a refrigerant outlet 13 b is provided at the upper part of the side surface of the heat exchanger 8. Therefore, the refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger 8 from below to above.

  The inflow amount of the refrigerant is controlled by the refrigerant pump 23, and is controlled by the control unit 16 so that the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the heat exchanger 8 becomes 30 to 50 ° C. For this purpose, a heat exchanger temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the heat exchanger 8 may be provided and controlled. Since the fuel cell device 1 includes the first temperature measurement unit 15a, the control may be performed based on the temperature measured by the first temperature measurement unit 15a. Thereby, the number of members constituting the fuel cell device 1 can be reduced.

  As control of the inflow amount of the refrigerant, for example, when the temperature measured by the first temperature measurement unit 15a (the temperature of the first combustion catalyst 7a) is higher than 30 to 50 ° C., the inflow amount of the refrigerant is increased. In the case where the temperature measured by the first temperature measurement unit 15a is lower than 30 to 50 ° C., the refrigerant inflow amount may be decreased.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the heating unit 12 is disposed inside the condensed water separation member 10 provided in the lower part of the heat exchanger 8. Therefore, since it is not exposed to high temperature exhaust gas, the heating part 12 can be extended in life. Moreover, since it is arrange | positioned inside the condensed water separation member 10, exhaust gas can be warmed directly and the starting of the fuel cell apparatus 1 can be made early.

  The exhaust gas discharge channel 11 made of piping can be made of rubber, plastic, or metal pipe. It can be manufactured at low cost by using rubber or plastic.

The exhaust gas discharge port 14 is provided so as to open to the outer case 2 constituting the fuel cell device 1. A first temperature measurement unit 15a and a first combustion catalyst 7a are provided near the outlet of the exhaust gas discharge passage 11, in other words, on the exhaust gas outlet 14 side. At the start of the fuel cell device 1,
Since the combustible gas as a harmful component is combusted or adsorbed using the first combustion catalyst 7a, an alarm that operates to sound an alarm when it is detected that there are people or animals near the exhaust gas outlet 14 An apparatus may be provided.

  A fuel cell device 29 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same applies to the following.

  The fuel cell device 29 is provided such that the heating unit 12 is in contact with the bottom surface of the condensed water separation member 10, and other configurations are the same as those of the fuel cell device 1.

  In the fuel cell device 29, the heating unit 12 is provided in contact with the bottom surface of the condensed water separation member 10. That is, the heating unit 12 is attached to the bottom surface of the condensed water separating member 10. Therefore, it does not come into contact with the exhaust gas flowing inside the condensed water separation member 10. Thereby, since it is not exposed to the remaining combustible gas as a harmful | toxic component contained in waste gas, water vapor | steam, etc., the lifetime of the heating part 12 can further be extended. Thereby, the life of the fuel cell device 29 can be further extended.

  In addition, the condensed water separation member 10 can be made of a metal member, and at the time of start-up, the heat of the heating unit 12 passes through the condensed water separation member 10 by transferring the heat of the condensed water separation member 10. The exhaust gas can be warmed. Furthermore, since the condensed water separation member 10 is provided by a metal member, the thermal conductivity can be improved, and heat can be efficiently supplied to the exhaust gas. Can be fast.

  In addition, although the example provided so that the bottom surface of the condensed water separation member 10 may be contact | connected was shown, you may provide the heating part 12 over the whole surface so that the condensed water separation member 10 may be covered. Thereby, the exhaust gas can be further warmed.

  A fuel cell device 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fuel cell device 30 is provided so that the heating unit 12 covers the outer surface of the exhaust gas discharge passage 11, and the other configuration is the same as that of the fuel cell device 1.

  In the fuel cell device 30, since the heating unit 12 is provided so as to cover the outer surface of the pipe constituting the exhaust gas discharge passage 11, it does not come into contact with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas discharge passage 11. Therefore, since it is not exposed to the remaining combustible gas as a harmful | toxic component contained in waste gas, water vapor | steam, etc., the lifetime of the heating part 12 can further be extended. Thereby, the life of the fuel cell device 20 can be further extended.

  When the heating unit 12 is provided on the outer surface of the exhaust gas discharge channel 11, the exhaust gas discharge channel 11 is preferably made of a metal member, and the exhaust gas is warmed by transferring heat through the exhaust gas discharge channel 11. Can do.

  Further, by providing the heating unit 12 on the upstream side of the flow direction of the exhaust gas from the portion where the first combustion catalyst 7a is disposed, the remaining combustible gas is used as a harmful component in the first combustion catalyst 7a. The heating unit 12 is not exposed to the combustion heat generated by burning. Thereby, the lifetime of the heating part 12 can be extended.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have 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. It is.

  For example, a configuration may be adopted in which water is directly supplied to the reformer without providing the circulation line L3. Thereby, a sufficient amount of water can be supplied even when the fuel cell device is activated. In addition, by using a water heater as the refrigerant supply source 22 in the refrigerant line L5, the temperature of the exhaust gas can be lowered by heat exchange in order to warm the water in the water heater, and hot water heated in the water heater can be reduced. It is possible to provide an efficient cogeneration system.

  The second temperature measurement unit 15b is provided on the downstream side when viewed from the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the second combustion catalyst 7b, and the first temperature measurement unit 15a is viewed from the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the first combustion catalyst 7a. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the second temperature measurement unit 15b is provided on the upstream side when viewed from the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the second combustion catalyst 7b, and the first temperature measurement unit 15a is viewed from the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the first combustion catalyst 7a. May be provided on the downstream side. By providing the first temperature measurement unit 15a and the second temperature measurement unit 15b on the downstream side of the combustion catalysts 7b and 7b, the exhaust gas when passing through the first combustion catalyst 7b and the second combustion catalyst 7b is further provided. The temperature can be measured accurately.

  The example in which the module storage chamber 5 is provided in the upper part of the outer case 2 and the auxiliary machine storage chamber 6 is provided in the lower part has been shown. The fuel cell device 1 may be a module storage chamber 5 that stores the fuel cell module 3 and an auxiliary device storage chamber 6 that stores auxiliary devices for operating the module 3 on the other side.

1, 29, 30: Fuel cell device 2: Exterior case 3: Fuel cell module 4: Partition member 5: Fuel cell module storage chamber 6: Auxiliary device storage chamber 7a: First combustion catalyst 7b: Second combustion catalyst 8 : Heat exchanger 9: Heat insulating material 10: Condensate separation member 11: Exhaust gas discharge channel 12: Heating part 13 a: Refrigerant inlet 13 b: Refrigerant outlet 14: Exhaust gas outlet 15 a: First temperature measuring part 15 b: No. 2 temperature measurement unit 16: control device 17: raw fuel supply source 20: oxygen-containing gas supply source 22: refrigerant supply source

Claims (3)

A fuel cell module that generates electric power using a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, and generates exhaust gas by burning the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas that have not been used for power generation;
An exhaust gas discharge passage connected to the fuel cell module for flowing the exhaust gas;
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the exhaust gas and the refrigerant, and a harmful gas contained in the exhaust gas, provided in the exhaust gas discharge channel downstream of the heat exchanger. A first combustion catalyst for adsorbing components;
A heating unit provided in the exhaust gas discharge passage between the heat exchanger and the first combustion catalyst;
An oxygen-containing gas supply unit for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell module;
A fuel gas supply unit for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell module;
A temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the first combustion catalyst;
At startup, the oxygen-containing gas supply unit and the heating unit are operated, the oxygen-containing gas that has passed through the heat exchanger is heated by the heating unit, and the oxygen-containing gas that has been heated is Control for increasing the temperature of one combustion catalyst and operating the fuel gas supply unit when the temperature of the first combustion catalyst measured by the temperature measuring unit reaches a temperature capable of adsorbing the harmful components And
A fuel cell device comprising: The first combustion catalyst according to claim 1, further comprising a second combustion catalyst provided in the exhaust gas discharge passage between the fuel cell module and the heat exchanger and configured to adsorb the harmful components contained in the exhaust gas. The fuel cell device according to the description. A second temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the second combustion catalyst;
Wherein, when the temperature measured by the second temperature measuring unit becomes capable of adsorbing temperature the harmful components, according to claim 2, characterized in that it stops the operation of the heating unit Fuel cell device.

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