Fuel cell device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device (10) comprising at least one fuel cell stack (12) and at least one processor unit (14). It is proposed to arrange a distribution plate (60) for guiding a medium between the at least one fuel cell stack (12) and the at least one processor unit (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell stack and at least one processor unit. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell device having a fuel cell stack and a processor unit is known. Summary of the invention

[0003] In contrast, the invention having the features of the independent claim has the advantage that a distributor plate for conducting the medium is arranged between the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one processor unit, thereby enabling an improved and more compact design of the fuel cell device.

[0004] In the context of the present invention, a "processor unit" is understood to be a unit or component of a fuel cell device which is not a fuel cell and / or a fuel cell stack. In particular, a processor unit is a unit for preferably chemically and / or thermally pre-treating and / or post-treating at least one medium to be converted and / or converted in at least one fuel cell stack, such as a fuel gas, air and / or exhaust gas. Preferably, the processor unit is a reformer, an afterburner and / or a heat exchanger.

[0005] Advantageous developments of the invention according to the independent claim are possible by the features listed in the dependent claims. It is therefore advantageous if the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one processor unit are arranged spatially separated from one another, thereby improving accessibility to the individual components, for example during maintenance.

[0006] It is also advantageous if the distributor plate fluidically connects the at least one processor unit and the at least one fuel cell stack to one another, thereby providing a compact fluidic connection between the at least one processor unit and the fuel cell stack, while at the same time reducing the number of components.

[0007] It is also advantageous if the distributor plate has, between two partial plates, medium guides for at least one medium to be converted and / or converted in at least one fuel cell stack, which are designed to be spatially separated from one another, thereby enabling particularly good medium guidance.

[0008] It is also advantageous if the distributor plate is designed in one piece, preferably as a cast part, as a result of which the production costs can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of a fuel cell arrangement,

[0011] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fuel cell device,

[0012] Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the fuel cell device of the previous figures,

[0013] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the lower region of an embodiment of a fuel cell arrangement from the preceding figures,

[0014] Figure 5 shows a cross section through the lower region of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell arrangement from the preceding figures, with schematically illustrated flows of various media,

[0015] Figure 6 A top view of a distributor plate of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell arrangement from the previous figures is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of a fuel cell device 10 is shown in . The fuel cell device 10 comprises two fuel cell stacks 12 , which have a plurality of fuel cells, in the present case solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and a plurality of processor units 14 .

[0017] In the context of the present invention, a "processor unit" 14 is to be understood in particular as a unit or component of the fuel cell device 10 which is not a fuel cell and / or a fuel cell stack 12. In the present case, the processor unit 14 is a unit for chemical and / or thermal pretreatment and / or posttreatment of at least one medium to be converted and / or converted in the fuel cell stack 12, such as fuel gas, air and / or exhaust gas.

[0018] One of the processor units 14 is a heat exchanger 18 arranged in the air supply 16 for heating air L which is supplied to one of the fuel cell stacks 12. In the present case, the air L is supplied, for example, in normal operation, respectively to a cathode chamber 20 of the fuel cell stack 12, while a reformed fuel RB (in the present case hydrogen) is supplied to a cathode chamber 22. In the fuel cell stack 12, the reformed fuel is converted electrochemically with the generation of electric current and heat.

[0019] The reformed fuel RB is produced in that fuel B (in the present case natural gas) is supplied to the fuel cell system 10 via a fuel supply 24 , said fuel being reformed in a further processor unit 14 (in the present case a reformer 26 ).

[0020] Furthermore, the fuel cell stack 12 is connected on the exhaust gas side to a further processor unit 14, in the present case to an afterburner 28. The exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack 12 is supplied to the afterburner 28, in the present case cathode exhaust gas KA via a cathode exhaust gas duct 30 and anode exhaust gas AA via an anode exhaust gas duct 32. The cathode exhaust gas mainly contains unconsumed air L, while the anode exhaust gas AA contains in particular unconverted fuel B. With the aid of the afterburner 28, the anode exhaust gas AA or the unconverted fuel B contained therein is burned under mixing with the cathode exhaust gas Ka or the air L contained therein, whereby additional heat can be generated.

[0021] The hot exhaust gas A generated during combustion in the afterburner 28 is conducted away from the afterburner 28 via an exhaust gas line 34 through a further processor unit 14, in the present case via a heat exchanger 36. The heat exchanger 36 is in turn fluidically connected to the reformer 26, so that heat is transferred from the hot exhaust gas A to the fuel B supplied to the reformer 26. Accordingly, the heat of the hot exhaust gas A can be used to reform the fuel B supplied in the reformer 26.

[0022] Downstream of the heat exchanger 36, a further processing unit 14, in the present case a heat exchanger 18, is located in the exhaust gas duct 34 so that the residual heat of the hot exhaust gas A can be transferred to the conveyed air L in the air conveying section 16. Accordingly, the residual heat of the hot exhaust gas can be used to preheat the conveyed air L in the air conveying section 16.

[0023] The fuel cell device 10 further comprises a return line 38, by means of which the anode exhaust gas AA can be partially branched off from the anode exhaust gas line 30 and supplied to the fuel supply 22. The return line 34 accordingly forms with the fuel supply 22 an anode recirculation loop 40, by means of which the anode exhaust gas AA can be returned to the anode of the fuel cell 12, so that unconverted fuel B in the anode exhaust gas AA can subsequently be converted, if necessary, whereby the efficiency of the fuel cell device 10 can be further increased.

[0024] The supply of air L in the air supply 16 , the supply of fuel B in the fuel supply 24 and the recirculation rate of the anode exhaust gas AA in the anode recirculation loop 40 can be regulated and / or coordinated with one another via compressors 42 in corresponding lines.

[0025] Furthermore, the fuel cell system has a heating element 44 for additionally heating the air L supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 in a bypass line 46 in the present case, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the fuel cell system 10 .

[0026] Figure 2-4A perspective view of an embodiment of a fuel cell device 10 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 The figure shows a cross section of the lower region of the fuel cell device 10. Figure 1 The circuit diagram of the fuel cell device 10 is a specific implementation scheme. As already explained, the processor unit 14 is a reformer 26, an afterburner 28 and two heat exchangers 18, 36. Figure 2-5 , it can be seen that the processor units 14 are arranged in such a way, in the present case on their edges, that separate media-conducting chambers are formed on or between the processor units 14. The air supply 16 and the exhaust air duct 34 are thus at least substantially formed as media-conducting chambers 48. As a result, no sleeves are required between the processor units 14, which simplifies assembly on the one hand and reduces the number of components on the other.

[0027] The fuel cell device is now characterized in that a distributor plate 50 for guiding the medium is arranged between the fuel cell stack 12 and the processor unit 14. This allows a compact design of the fuel cell device 10. In addition, the connection or assembly of the fuel cell stack 12 and the processor unit 14 is simplified. In addition, a sleeve between the fuel cell stack 12 and the processor unit 14 is not required, thereby reducing the variety of components.

[0028] In the case shown, the fuel cell stack 12 and the processor unit 14 are arranged spatially separated from each other, thereby improving the accessibility of the individual components, for example during maintenance. In the case shown, the fuel cell 12 is arranged in the upper area 52, while the processor unit is arranged in the lower area 54. For the sake of improved illustration, the fuel cell device is shown essentially open. In practice, the fuel cell stack 12 is introduced into a first housing (not shown) and the processor unit 14 is introduced into a second housing 58. The second housing 58 forms a medium guide or medium guide chamber 48 together with the processor unit 14 for the medium to be converted and / or converted in the fuel cell stack, such as fuel B, reformed fuel RB, air L, cathode exhaust gas KA, anode exhaust gas AA and / or exhaust gas A.

[0029] The distributor plate 50 now connects the processor unit 14 to the fuel cell stack 12 in terms of fluid technology, resulting in a particularly flexible and compact fluid technology connection.

[0030] The distributor plate has, between two subplates arranged at a distance from one another, separate medium guides 60 for the medium to be converted and / or converted in the fuel cell stack 12 . Figure 6 4 shows a top view of the distribution plate 50 .

[0031] In the case shown, the distributor plate 50 has: an opening 62 and an associated medium guide 64 for supplying air L to the fuel cell stack 12; an opening 66 and an associated medium guide 68 for supplying reformed fuel RB and anode exhaust gas AA (containing unconverted fuel B) from the anode recirculation circuit 40 to the fuel cell stack 12; an opening 70 and an associated medium guide 72 for cathode exhaust gas KA conducted from the fuel cell stack 12; and an opening 74 and an associated medium guide 76 for anode exhaust gas AA conducted from the fuel cell stack 12. The openings shown in dashed lines are introduced into the first (lower) subplate 78, while the openings shown in solid lines are introduced into the second (upper) subplate 80 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). Here, the medium guide 60 is constructed between the opening introduced into the first (lower) sub-plate 78 and the corresponding opening introduced into the second (upper) sub-plate 80. Here, the medium guide 60 is surrounded and sealed laterally by the wall 82. The first (lower) sub-plate 78 and the second (upper) sub-plate are spaced apart from each other by the wall 82, thereby leaving space for possible conveying lines and / or outlet lines despite the compactness, which can also be connected and / or introduced from the outside, for example. The interface of the fuel cell stack 12 and the interface of the second sub-housing 84 with the processor unit 14 can also be adapted to each other by means of the distribution plate 50 or by the medium guide 60 introduced into the distribution plate. Therefore, different types of fuel cell stacks 12 can be used as needed by adapting the medium guide 60.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the distributor plate 50 is constructed in one piece, preferably as a cast part, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. However, alternatively, the distributor plate 50 can also be welded from sheet metal parts and / or manufactured by 3D printing.

Claims

1. A fuel cell device (10), comprising at least one fuel cell stack (12) and a plurality of processor units (14), characterized in that: A distribution plate (50) for guiding a medium is arranged between the at least one fuel cell stack (12) and the plurality of processor units (14), wherein the fuel cell stack (12) is introduced into a first housing and the plurality of processor units (14) are introduced into a second housing (58), wherein the distribution plate (50) comprises a first sub-plate (78) and a second sub-plate (80) and a medium guide portion (60) configured spatially separated from one another between the two sub-plates (78, 80) for guiding at least one medium to be converted and / or converted in the at least one fuel cell stack (12), wherein openings are respectively introduced into the first sub-plate (78) and the second sub-plate (80), and the medium guide portion (60) is respectively configured between an opening introduced into the first sub-plate (78) and a corresponding opening introduced into the second sub-plate (80), and The second housing (58) together with the plurality of processor units (14) forms a medium guide chamber (48) for guiding the medium, for guiding the medium to be converted and / or converted in the fuel cell stack (12), in such a way that the plurality of processor units (14) are arranged on their edges so that medium guide chambers (48) separated from each other are constructed between the plurality of processor units (14).

2. The fuel cell device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one fuel cell stack (12) and the plurality of processor units (14) are arranged spatially separated from one another.

3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distribution plate fluidically connects the plurality of processor units (14) and the at least one fuel cell stack (12) to one another.

4. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distributor plate (50) is designed in one piece.

5. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distributor plate (50) is designed in one piece as a cast part (84).

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