Stationary fuel cell system

Abstract

In the stationary fuel cell system of the present invention, two power generation modules are stacked in the vertical direction. Each of the two power generation modules includes an auxiliary machine structure including an auxiliary machine that exchanges gas with the fuel cell stack, and a first fuel cell stack connected to one surface of the auxiliary machine structure in the vertical direction. And a second fuel cell stack connected to the other surface of the auxiliary machine structure in the vertical direction and having a size smaller than that of the first fuel cell stack in the vertical direction, the second fuel cell stack of the upper power generation module being connected to the lower surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the upper power generation module. The second fuel cell stack of the lower power generation module is connected to the upper surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the lower power generation module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a stationary fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] Japanese JPH02-37453U discloses a stationary fuel cell system in which cylindrical boxes containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks are stacked up and down in two layers. In addition, in each cylindrical box, an air intake pipe for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust pipe for the gas discharged from the fuel cell stack, and a fuel pipe for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack are arranged at different heights on the side of the fuel cell stack.

[0003] However, the fuel cell system needs to be inspected and maintained, etc. Moreover, in the structure described in the above document, the operator needs to stand on tiptoe or bend over when performing the high-position piping arranged in the upper cylindrical box and the low-position piping arranged in the lower cylindrical box, which deteriorates the workability. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system in which a worker can perform work without having to significantly change his working posture.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel cell system is provided, wherein two power generation modules are stacked in the vertical direction, and the two power generation modules are respectively provided with: an auxiliary machine structure including an auxiliary machine for exchanging gas with the fuel cell stack, a first fuel cell stack connected to one side of the auxiliary machine structure in the vertical direction, and a second fuel cell stack connected to the other side of the auxiliary machine structure in the vertical direction and having a smaller vertical dimension than the first fuel cell stack. In the system, the second fuel cell stack of the upper power generation module is connected to the lower surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the upper power generation module, and the second fuel cell stack of the lower power generation module is connected to the upper surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the lower power generation module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of a stationary fuel cell system.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a front view of a stationary fuel cell system.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a rear view of a stationary fuel cell system.

[0009] Figure 4 It is the left side view of the stationary fuel cell system.

[0010] Figure 5This is a diagram showing fuel components of a stationary fuel cell system.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a pair of beams and a power generation module before assembly, as viewed from the rear side.

[0012] Figure 7 It was used Figure 1 A front view of a power generation device with a fuel cell system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a stationary fuel cell system (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a fuel cell system) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a front view of the fuel cell system 1 . Figure 3 It is a rear view of the fuel cell system 1 . Figure 4 It is a left side view of the fuel cell system 1 . Figure 5 This is a diagram of a fuel system component of the fuel cell system 1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the height direction of the fuel cell system 1 is set as the up-down direction, the flow path direction of the intake pipe 8 and the exhaust pipe 9 described later is set as the left-right direction, and the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is set as the front-back direction. In addition, with respect to the front-back direction, the side where the connection with each pipe 13 and 14 of the auxiliary machine structure 7 described later is provided is set as the front (front). With respect to the left-right direction, the front view is used as the reference.

[0015] The fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment is used in a stationary manner. The fuel cell used in the fuel cell system 1 is a solid oxide fuel cell.

[0016] The fuel cell system 1 includes two power generation modules 2 , a piping module 3 , a power recovery module 4 , and a frame 5 that supports them.

[0017] The power generation module 2 includes: an auxiliary machine structure 7, a first fuel cell stack 6A disposed on one side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 in the vertical direction, and a second fuel cell stack 6B disposed on the other side. The fuel cell stack 6 is a structure in which a plurality of single cells are stacked in the vertical direction. The vertical dimension of the first fuel cell stack 6A is larger than the vertical dimension of the second fuel cell stack 6B. That is, the first fuel cell stack 6A has a larger number of stacked single cells than the second fuel cell stack 6B.

[0018] In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first fuel cell stack 6A and the second fuel cell stack 6B, it is referred to as the fuel cell stack 6. In addition, in the present embodiment, the structure in which the fuel cell stack 6 is arranged on both sides of the auxiliary machine structure 7 in the vertical direction is described, but it can also be a structure in which the fuel cell stack 6 is arranged on only one side.

[0019] The auxiliary machine structure 7 is a box that includes auxiliary machines (for example, a heat exchanger, a burner, etc.) that exchange gas with the fuel cell stack 6 .

[0020] The power generation module 2 further includes a fuel injection unit 24 for injecting fuel supplied to the fuel cell stack 6 of the power generation module 2. The fuel injection unit 24 of the present embodiment includes two fuel injection valves, but the number of fuel injection valves is not limited thereto.

[0021] The piping module 3 includes an air intake pipe 8 for supplying air to the power generation module 2, an exhaust pipe 9 for supplying gas exhausted from the power generation module 2, a fuel pipe 11 for supplying fuel to the power generation module 2, and cooling water pipes 10 and 12 for the injection unit for supplying cooling water for cooling the fuel injection unit 24. In addition, the cooling water pipes 10 and 12 for the injection unit are sometimes referred to as "cooling water pipes 10 and 12" in the following description. In addition, the cooling water pipe 12 is sometimes referred to as an inlet-side cooling water pipe 12, and the cooling water pipe 10 is sometimes referred to as an outlet-side cooling water pipe 10.

[0022] The power recovery module 4 includes a power box 19 that stores devices and wiring for recovering the power generated by the power generation module 2 and transmitting it to a power converter 43 described later, and devices and wiring for receiving power required for driving auxiliary equipment from external equipment.

[0023] The frame 5 is composed of a plurality of frame members arranged to surround the two power generation modules 2 and the one piping module 3 , a cross beam 20 , and first and second brackets 21 and 22 .

[0024] Inside the frame 5, two power generation modules 2 are stacked in the vertical direction, with a piping module 3 disposed therebetween. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between upper and lower power generation modules 2, the upper side is referred to as the upper power generation module 2A, and the lower side is referred to as the lower power generation module 2B.

[0025] By arranging two power generation modules 2 in an overlapping manner in the vertical direction, the area required for setting up the fuel cell system 1 can be reduced compared to a structure in which two power generation modules 2 are arranged on the same surface (hereinafter also referred to as horizontal arrangement). Furthermore, in the case of horizontal arrangement, piping such as the intake pipe 8 and the exhaust pipe 9 are arranged between adjacent power generation modules 2, and piping branching from there to each auxiliary machine structure 7 is arranged. In contrast, in the fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment, a piping module 3 is arranged between the power generation modules 2 arranged in an overlapping manner in the vertical direction, so when viewed from above, the area dedicated to the piping becomes smaller than in the case of horizontal arrangement. That is, according to the fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment, the area required for setting up the fuel cell system 1 having a plurality of power generation modules 2 can be further reduced.

[0026] The frame 5 includes, for example, an upper portion surrounding the upper power generation module 2A, a lower portion surrounding the lower power generation module 2B, and a middle portion surrounding the piping module 3. The upper portion includes at least 12 frame members assembled into a box shape in a manner to surround the upper power generation module 2A, a crossbeam 20 arranged in a manner to cross the left and right side surfaces divided by the frame members in the front-to-back direction, and a first bracket 22 and a second bracket 21 arranged in a manner to cross the front and rear side surfaces (i.e., the front and back surfaces) divided by the frame members in the left-to-right direction. The lower portion has the same structure as the upper portion. The middle portion has at least 4 frame members that connect the upper portion and the lower portion at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction.

[0027] The upper power generation module 2A is in a state where the first fuel cell stack 6A is arranged on the upper side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the second fuel cell stack 6B is arranged on the lower side. Hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the upright state. On the other hand, the structure of the lower power generation module 2B is the same as that of the upper power generation module 2A, but it is in a state where the first fuel cell stack 6A is arranged on the lower side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the second fuel cell stack 6B is arranged on the upper side. That is, the upper power generation module 2A is in a state of being reversed up and down with the axis extending in the front-to-back direction as the center. Hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the inverted state. In addition, the portion of the frame 5 surrounding the upper power generation module 2A and the portion of the frame 5 surrounding the lower power generation module 2B are also in the same structure and are reversed up and down. In this way, by using two power generation modules 2 of the same structure with one side in an upright state and the other side in an inverted state, the cost can be reduced compared to the case where multiple types of power generation modules 2 are used. Furthermore, by adopting the same structure in the upper and lower parts, components of the same shape and size can be used for each pipe and each wire between the pipe module 3 and the power generation module 2, thereby also being able to reduce costs.

[0028] In addition, the two power generation modules 2 are arranged at positions where the central axis Cm in the front-back direction is offset to the rear side relative to the central axis Cf in the front-back direction of the frame 5 (see Figure 4). The power generation module 2 is fixedly supported by a pair of cross beams 20 provided on the right and left sides of the frame 5 and a first bracket 22 provided on the back of the frame 5. The cross beam 20 connects a pair of frame members extending in the up-down direction among the frame members forming the left and right sides of the frame. The first bracket 22 connects a pair of frame members forming the back of the frame 5. In addition, a method for fixing the power generation module 2 to the frame 5 will be described later.

[0029] Each pipe of the pipe module 3 is arranged so that the flow path is oriented in the left-right direction of the frame 5. The intake pipe 8 and the exhaust pipe 9 are supported on the frame 5 via brackets (not shown). In addition, the fuel pipe 11 and the cooling water pipes 10 and 12 are supported by brackets 25 provided on the frame 5.

[0030] Flanges are provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the intake pipe 8 and the exhaust pipe 9. When a plurality of fuel cell systems 1 are connected in the left-right direction as described later, the flanges are fastened by bolts or the like.

[0031] The fuel pipe 11 and the cooling water pipes 10 and 12 are ribbed at both ends. When a plurality of fuel cell systems 1 are connected in the left-right direction, the fuel pipes 11 and the cooling water pipes 10 and 12 of adjacent fuel cell systems 1 are connected via rubber pipes or the like.

[0032] The air intake pipe 8 and the power generation module 2 are connected via an air intake branch pipe 13. More specifically, the air intake branch pipe 13 branched from the air intake pipe 8 is connected to an air intake port 7A provided in the auxiliary machine structure 7.

[0033] The exhaust pipe 9 and the power generation module 2 are connected via an exhaust branch pipe 14. More specifically, the exhaust branch pipe 14 branched from the exhaust pipe 9 is connected to an exhaust port 7B provided in the auxiliary machine structure 7.

[0034] As described above, the upper power generation module 2A is in an upright state, the lower power generation module 2B is in an inverted state, and the piping module 3 is arranged between the two power generation modules 2. As a result, both power generation modules 2 arrange the second fuel cell stack 6B, which is shorter in the vertical direction than the first fuel cell stack 6A, on the side close to the piping module 3. In other words, compared with the case where the upper power generation module 2A is in an inverted state and the lower power generation module 2B is in an upright state, the distance from the piping module 3 to each auxiliary machine structure 7 becomes shorter.

[0035] In a plan view, the air intake port 7A and the air exhaust port 7B are arranged on the front side of the auxiliary machine structure 7. In addition, as described above, the power generation module 2 is located at a position offset to the rear side relative to the frame 5. Therefore, the distance between the air intake port 7A and the air exhaust port 7B and the frame 5 is ensured, and a margin is generated in the installation layout of the air intake branch pipe 13 and the exhaust branch pipe 14.

[0036] In addition, if any one of the air intake port 7A or the air exhaust port 7B is arranged on the back side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 in a plan view, the amount of displacement of the power generation module 2 to the back side is limited due to the presence of the piping connected thereto. As a result, ineffective space is generated on the front side and the back side. On the other hand, the fuel cell system 1 of this embodiment can make the back side of the power generation module 2 closer to the back side of the frame 5 because the air intake port 7A and the air exhaust port 7B are concentrated on the front side. That is, according to this embodiment, the ineffective space ( Figure 4 IS).

[0037] In addition, in the upper power generation module 2A, the air intake port 7A is arranged on the left side and the air exhaust port 7B is arranged on the right side when viewed from the front. On the other hand, in the lower power generation module 2B, the air intake port 7A is arranged on the right side and the air exhaust port 7B is arranged on the left side when viewed from the front. That is, the arrangement of the air intake port 7A and the air exhaust port 7B is opposite in the upper power generation module 2A and the lower power generation module 2B. As a result, the positions of the connection portion of the air intake pipe 8 with the air intake branch pipe 13 for the upper power generation module 2A and the connection portion with the air intake branch pipe 13 for the lower power generation module 2B can be staggered in the left-right direction. The air intake branch pipe 13 has auxiliary equipment such as a control valve, a stop valve, and an actuator that drives each valve body (all not shown). By staggering the positions of the two connection portions in the left-right direction, the positions of the auxiliary equipment can be dispersed, and a margin is generated in the installation layout of the two air intake branch pipes 13. In addition, if the two connecting parts are located at a relatively close position, it may be difficult for air to flow to any of the air intake branch pipes 13, but as described above, this problem can be solved by shifting the positions of the two connecting parts in the left-right direction. The same is true for the connecting parts of the exhaust pipe 9 and the two exhaust branch pipes 14.

[0038] In addition, in the present embodiment, the same structure of the power generation module 2 is used in the upright state and the inverted state, so as mentioned above, the arrangement of the air intake port 7A and the exhaust port 7B is necessarily opposite. However, even when two power generation modules 2 with different structures are used, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the arrangement of the air intake port 7A and the exhaust port 7B is opposite in the upper power generation module 2A and the lower power generation module 2B.

[0039] However, when the fuel cell system 1 is used in power generation equipment, for example, it is necessary to perform maintenance / inspection operations such as confirming whether each piping has leakage, replacing consumables or problematic parts. In the fuel cell system 1 of this embodiment, the power generation module 2 is offset relative to the frame 5 and arranged on the back side, and the air intake port 7A and the exhaust port 7B of the upper and lower power generation modules 2 are all arranged on the front side, so that the auxiliary equipment such as the stop valve not shown in the figure included in the piping module 3 can also be concentrated on the front side. Therefore, according to the fuel cell system 1 of this embodiment, the movement of the operator during maintenance / inspection operations is reduced, and the working efficiency can be improved.

[0040] In addition, when performing maintenance / inspection operations, if the position of the operating object is low, the operator needs to bend over to enter, and sometimes even need to lie down. On the contrary, if the position of the operating object is high, the operator needs to tiptoe or step onto a step. Either case will be the main reason for the deterioration of operability. However, in the fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment, the upper power generation module 2A is in an upright state, the lower power generation module 2B is in an inverted state, and a piping module 3 is arranged between the two power generation modules 2. As a result, the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the upper and lower power generation modules 2 is positioned close to the center of the fuel cell system 1 in the up and down direction, thereby suppressing the deterioration of operability.

[0041] Furthermore, the inventors have found that if the height from the installation surface of the object of the operation is within the range of about 400 mm to 1500 mm, the deterioration of the workability accompanying the change of the posture of the above-mentioned operator can be suppressed. Therefore, the size of the power generation module 2 and the frame 5 can be set arbitrarily, but from the viewpoint of the above-mentioned workability, the size of the power generation module 2 and the frame 5 is set so that the height of the upper and lower power generation modules 2 from the installation surface of the air intake port 7A and the exhaust port 7B is within the range of 400 mm to 1500 mm.

[0042] The fuel injection unit 24 is fixedly supported by the second bracket 21 provided on the front side of the frame 5. The fuel is supplied from the fuel pipe 11 to the fuel injection unit 24 via the fuel branch pipe 15, and is supplied from the fuel injection unit 24 to the power generation module 2 via the fuel supply pipe 26. In addition, the fuel injection unit 24 is provided with a cooling water channel 27 surrounding the injection portion of the fuel injection valve. The cooling water channel 27 and the inlet cooling water pipe 12 are connected via the first cooling water branch pipe 16, and the cooling water channel 27 and the outlet cooling water pipe 10 are connected via the second cooling water branch pipe 17. That is, the cooling water is supplied from the inlet cooling water pipe 12 to the cooling water channel 27 via the first cooling water branch pipe 16, cools the fuel injection valve there, and flows into the outlet cooling water pipe 10 via the second cooling water branch pipe 17.

[0043] The power box 19 is disposed between the upper and lower power generation modules 2 on the back side of the frame 5. The power generation module 2 and the power box 19 are electrically connected via the bus bar 18. The bus bar 18 is led out from the surface of the fuel cell stack 6 opposite to the surface in contact with the auxiliary machine structure 7, and is connected to the power box 19 through the wiring passage 23 provided along the frame member of the frame 5.

[0044] When two power generation modules 2 are placed horizontally, the space for installing the power box 19 needs to be separate from the installation space of the power generation modules 2. However, this is not necessary according to the structure of this embodiment. That is, the area required for installing the fuel cell system 1 can be reduced.

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 6 A method of mounting the power generation module 2 in the frame 5 will be described.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a state before the pair of beams 20 and the power generation module 2 are assembled, as viewed from the back side. In this stage, the first bracket 22 is not mounted on the frame 5.

[0047] A guide groove 33 is provided on the opposite surfaces of the pair of beams 20, at least the end on the back side of which is an open end. A first sliding portion 31 and a second sliding portion 32 having a shape corresponding to the guide groove 33 are provided on the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the power generation module 2. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the sliding member 30 including the second sliding portion 32 is formed separately from the auxiliary machinery structure 7 and attached to the auxiliary machinery structure 7 . However, the second sliding portion 32 may be formed integrally with the casing of the auxiliary machinery structure 7 .

[0048] Next, the back side of the frame 5 is used as the insertion surface, and the first sliding part 31 and the second sliding part 32 are moved along the guide groove 33 from the insertion surface to move the power generation module 2, thereby inserting the power generation module 2 into the inner side of the frame 5. Then, after the insertion, the power generation module 2 and the frame 5 are rigidly connected using the first bracket 22. Thus, the power generation module 2 is fixed to the frame 5. At this time, if the guide groove 33 is set from one end of the crossbeam 20 to the other end, it is necessary to insert the power generation module 2 into the frame 5 while confirming the position of the power generation module 2 to position the power generation module 2. However, in this embodiment, the position of the end of the front side of the guide groove 33 is consistent with the position of the first sliding part 31 when the power generation module 2 is properly positioned. Thus, positioning becomes easy. In addition, since the insertion surface is located on the back side, the connection part between the auxiliary machine structure 7 and each piping is located on the front side of the auxiliary machine structure 7, so as long as the connection with each piping is released, the power generation module 2 can be pulled out from the frame 5. That is, when replacing the power generation module 2 or the like, it is not necessary to remove the pipes from the frame body 5 .

[0049] In addition, after the power generation module 2 is fixed to the frame 5 as described above, the power generation module 2, especially the auxiliary structure 7, also functions as a structural component connected to a pair of beams 20 set on the left and right sides of the frame 5. The upper part of the frame 5 has the left and right sides reinforced by a pair of beams 20, the front side by the second bracket 21, and the back side by the second bracket 21, but the auxiliary structure 7 functions as a structural component that crosses the left and right sides, thereby improving the rigidity of the upper part as a whole. The same is true for the lower part. In this way, deformation and collapse caused by external forces such as earthquakes can be suppressed.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 7 A power generation facility using the fuel cell system 1 will be described.

[0051] Figure 7 It is a front view of a power generation facility using the fuel cell system 1 .

[0052] As shown in the figure, a plurality of fuel cell systems 1 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and each frame 5 is rigidly connected to each other by bolts or the like. Thus, a pair of rigidly connected frame members function as reinforcing members to suppress deformation of the frame 5. In addition, the intake pipe 8, exhaust pipe 9, fuel piping 11 and cooling water piping 10, 12 of each fuel cell system 1 are also connected. The intake pipe 8 of the adjacent fuel cell system 1 is connected directly or via piping as a joint. The same is true for the exhaust pipe 9. The fuel piping 11 and cooling water piping 10, 12 of the adjacent fuel cell system 1 are connected via piping (such as rubber piping, etc.) as a joint. As a result, the connected linear intake pipe 8, exhaust pipe 9, fuel piping 11 and cooling water piping 10, 12 are arranged between the column of the upper power generation module 2A and the column of the lower power generation module 2B. In addition, the wiring of the adjacent fuel cell system 1 housed in the power box 19 is electrically connected.

[0053] By making the intake pipe 8, exhaust pipe 9, fuel pipe 11 and cooling water pipes 10 and 12 connected as described above straight, pressure loss can be suppressed compared with the case where a curved portion is formed. In addition, these pipes can all be touched from the front side, so the workability is excellent.

[0054] At one end in the left-right direction of a row (hereinafter also referred to as a fuel cell row) of a plurality of fuel cell systems 1 connected together (at Figure 7The second frame 40 is connected to the second frame 40 (right end in the middle). The second frame 40 is fixedly supported with: an air intake pipe 41 connected to the air intake pipe 8 at one end, an exhaust outlet pipe 42 connected to the exhaust pipe 9 at one end, a power converter 43, a fuel intake pipe 45 connected to the fuel pipe 11 at one end, a cooling water intake pipe 44 connected to the cooling water pipe 10 at one end, and a cooling water outlet pipe 46 connected to the cooling water pipe 12 at one end. Hereinafter, the second frame 40, the air intake pipe 41, the exhaust outlet pipe 42, the power converter 43, the fuel intake pipe 45, the cooling water intake pipe 44, and the cooling water outlet pipe 46 are collectively referred to as an external connection module 47.

[0055] At the other end of the fuel cell array in the left-right direction, the openings of the intake pipe 8, the exhaust pipe 9, and the fuel pipe 11 are closed with a cap or a plug. In addition, the end of the cooling water pipe 10 is connected to the end of the cooling water pipe 12.

[0056] The other end of the air intake pipe 41 is connected to an air intake device (not shown) provided outside the fuel cell array and equipped with a blower, etc. The other end of the exhaust outlet pipe 42 is open to the atmosphere. Alternatively, the other end of the exhaust outlet pipe 42 may be connected to an exhaust treatment device (not shown) provided outside the fuel cell array.

[0057] The other end of the fuel introduction pipe 45 is connected to a fuel device (not shown) including a fuel tank, a pressure regulating valve, etc. The other ends of the cooling water introduction pipe 44 and the cooling water outlet pipe 46 are connected to a cooling device (not shown) including a cooling water tank, a circulation pump, a radiator, etc.

[0058] The power converter 43 is electrically connected to each power box 19 of the fuel cell array via power wiring. That is, the power generated by each power generation module 2 of the fuel cell array is output via one power converter 43. By combining the power converters 43 into one in this way, the following effects can be obtained. First, compared with a structure in which the power converters 43 are arranged in each fuel cell system 1, the installation area of ​​the power generation equipment can be reduced. In addition, when a cooling mechanism for the power converter 43 is provided, the cooling target is one place, so the structure of the cooling mechanism becomes simple, which can reduce costs. In addition, when more fuel cell systems 1 are connected, Figure 7 In the example, a fuel cell column is formed on the right side of the external connection module 47 in the same manner as on the left side. In this case, the air intake pipe 41, the exhaust pipe 42, the fuel intake pipe 45, the cooling water intake pipe 44, and the cooling water outlet pipe 46 are respectively branched and connected to the fuel cell column connected to the right side. The power wiring is similar, and the fuel cell column on the right side is also electrically connected to the power converter 43.

[0059] Next, effects obtained by the above-described fuel cell system 1 and a power generation facility using the fuel cell system 1 will be described.

[0060] The two power generation modules 2 of the fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment are stacked in the vertical direction, and the two power generation modules 2 are respectively provided with: an auxiliary machine structure 7 including an auxiliary machine for exchanging gas with the fuel cell stack 6, a first fuel cell stack 6A connected to one surface in the vertical direction of the auxiliary machine structure 7, and a second fuel cell stack 6A connected to the other surface in the vertical direction of the auxiliary machine structure 7 and having a smaller vertical dimension than the first fuel cell stack 6A. Furthermore, the second fuel cell stack 6B of the upper power generation module 2A is connected to the lower surface of the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the upper power generation module 2A, and the second fuel cell stack 6B of the lower power generation module 2B is connected to the upper surface of the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the lower power generation module 2B.

[0061] According to the above configuration, the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the upper and lower power generation modules 2 can be brought closer to the vertical center of the fuel cell system 1 in which the two power generation modules 2 are stacked vertically. This can suppress the posture change of the operator when connecting the pipes to the auxiliary machine structure 7.

[0062] In this embodiment, there are also: a piping module 3, which has an air intake pipe 8 for supplying air flow to the power generation module 2, an exhaust pipe 9 for the flow of gas discharged from the power generation module 2, a fuel piping 11 for supplying fuel flow to the power generation module 2, and cooling water piping 10, 12 for the injection unit for cooling the cooling water flow of the fuel injection unit 24; and a power recovery module 4, which has a power box 19 for recovering the power generated by the power generation module 2. Moreover, the piping module 3 and the power recovery module 4 are arranged between the two power generation modules 2 arranged in a stacked manner. As described above, the auxiliary machine structure 7 of the upper and lower power generation modules 2 is close to the center of the vertical direction of the fuel cell system 1, so the length of the piping connecting the piping module 3 and the auxiliary machine structure 7 can be suppressed.

[0063] In this embodiment, the two power generation modules 2 have the same structure, the upper power generation module 2A is arranged in an upright state, and the lower power generation module 2B is arranged in an inverted state. This can reduce the manufacturing process and manufacturing cost compared to the case of using multiple types of power generation modules 2.

[0064] The fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment includes an air intake branch pipe 13 connecting the air intake pipe 8 and the auxiliary machine structure 7, an exhaust branch pipe 14 connecting the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the exhaust pipe 9, and a fuel branch pipe 15 connecting the fuel pipe 11 and the auxiliary machine structure 7 via the fuel injection unit 24. Moreover, the connection parts of the auxiliary machine structure 7 included in the upper power generation module 2A and the air intake branch pipe 13, the exhaust branch pipe 14, and the fuel branch pipe 15, and the connection parts of the auxiliary machine structure 7 included in the lower power generation module 2B and the air intake branch pipe 13, the exhaust branch pipe 14, and the fuel branch pipe 15 are within a range of 400 mm to 1500 mm from the ground plane of the system. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the workability due to the change of the posture of the operator during the connection work of each pipe or the maintenance / inspection work.

[0065] The fuel cell system 1 of the present embodiment includes a frame 5 that accommodates the power generation module 2 and the piping module 3, an air intake branch pipe 13 that connects the air intake pipe 8 and the auxiliary machine structure 7, an exhaust branch pipe 14 that connects the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the exhaust pipe 9, and a fuel branch pipe 15 that connects the fuel piping 11 and the auxiliary machine structure 7 via the fuel injection unit 24. In addition, by connecting the air intake branch pipe 13, the exhaust branch pipe 14, and the fuel branch pipe 15 to the front side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 in a plan view, all the power generation modules 2 are accommodated in the frame 5 in a state where the center line of the first fuel cell stack 6A and the second fuel cell stack 6B in the front-back direction is offset from the center line of the frame 5 in the front-back direction, thereby making the distance between the side surface on the front side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the side surface of the frame 5 opposite to the side surface greater than the distance between the side surface on the back side of the auxiliary machine structure 7 and the side surface of the frame 5 opposite to the side surface. As a result, the installation layout of each piping such as the air intake branch pipe 13 and the exhaust branch pipe 14 can be concentrated on the front side. As a result, the volume of the dead space generated by the installation and layout of the pipes can be suppressed.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely represent a part of application examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A stationary fuel cell system, wherein two power generation modules are stacked in an up-down direction, wherein the two power generation modules respectively include: an auxiliary machine structure including an auxiliary machine for exchanging gas with the fuel cell stack, a first fuel cell stack connected to one side of the auxiliary machine structure in the up-down direction, and a second fuel cell stack connected to the other side of the auxiliary machine structure in the up-down direction and having a smaller size in the up-down direction than the first fuel cell stack, wherein: The second fuel cell stack of the upper power generation module is connected to the lower surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the upper power generation module. The second fuel cell stack of the power generation module on the lower side is connected to the upper surface of the auxiliary machine structure of the power generation module on the lower side.

2. The stationary fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein: Also available: a piping module including: an air intake pipe for supplying air to the power generation module, an exhaust pipe for supplying gas exhausted from the power generation module, a fuel piping for supplying fuel to the power generation module, and a cooling water piping for an injection unit for supplying cooling water for cooling a fuel injection unit; A power recovery module is provided with a power box for recovering the power generated by the power generation module. The piping module and the power recovery module are arranged between the two stacked power generation modules.

3. The stationary fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein: The two power generation modules have the same structure, the power generation module on the upper side is arranged in an upright state, and the power generation module on the lower side is arranged in an inverted state.

4. The stationary fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein: have: An air intake branch pipe connecting the air intake pipe and the auxiliary machine structure; an exhaust branch pipe connecting the auxiliary machine structure and the exhaust pipe; a fuel branch pipe connecting the fuel pipe and the auxiliary machine structure via a fuel injection unit, The heights of the connection parts of the auxiliary machine structure included in the upper power generation module with the intake branch pipe, the exhaust branch pipe and the fuel branch pipe and the connection parts of the auxiliary machine structure included in the lower power generation module with the intake branch pipe, the exhaust branch pipe and the fuel branch pipe from the grounding surface of the system are within the range of 400mm~1500mm.

5. The stationary fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein: Also available: A frame body, which accommodates the power generation module and the piping module; An air intake branch pipe connecting the air intake pipe and the auxiliary machine structure; an exhaust branch pipe connecting the auxiliary machine structure and the exhaust pipe; a fuel branch pipe connecting the fuel pipe and the auxiliary machine structure via a fuel injection unit, The intake branch pipe, the exhaust branch pipe, and the fuel branch pipe are all connected to the front side of the auxiliary machine structure in a plan view. All of the power generation modules are housed in the frame in a state where the center lines of the first fuel cell stack and the second fuel cell stack in the front-to-back direction are offset from the center line of the frame in the front-to-back direction, thereby making the distance between the side surface of the front side of the auxiliary machine structure and the side surface of the frame opposite to the side surface larger than the distance between the side surface of the back side of the auxiliary machine structure and the side surface of the frame opposite to the side surface.

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