Fuel cell device, in particular prefab fuel cell device, with at least one fluid discharge unit

Abstract

The invention is based on a fuel cell device, in particular a prefabricated fuel cell device, with at least one fuel cell unit (12) and with at least one water management unit (14) which has at least one water tank (16) and at least one water line (18) via which the water tank (16) is fluidically connected to the fuel cell unit (12). It is proposed that the fuel cell device comprises at least one fluid drain unit (20) which is provided for draining water from the water management unit (14), in particular at least from the water tank (16) and / or from the water line (18).

Description

State of the art

[0001] A fuel cell device, in particular a prefabricated fuel cell device, with at least one fuel cell unit and with at least one water management unit, which has at least one water tank and at least one water line via which the water tank is fluidically connected to the fuel cell unit, has already been proposed. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention is based on a fuel cell device, in particular a prefabricated fuel cell device, with at least one fuel cell unit and with at least one water management unit which has at least one water tank and at least one water line via which the water tank is fluidically connected to the fuel cell unit.

[0003] It is proposed that the fuel cell device comprise at least one fluid drain unit provided for draining water from the water management unit, in particular at least from the water tank and / or from the water pipe. The term “provided” should be understood in particular to mean specially programmed, specially designed, specially configured and / or specially equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state. Preferably, the fuel cell unit is provided to generate electrical energy from a gaseous medium. Preferably, the fuel cell unit is configured to convert chemical reaction energy of a continuously supplied fuel and an oxidizing agent into electrical energy.Advantageously, natural gas is used as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizing agent. Alternatively, other fuels that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as methanol, butane and / or hydrogen, are also conceivable. Preferably, in one operating state of the fuel cell unit, electrical energy is generated between an anode and a cathode. The water management unit is preferably provided to supply the fuel cell unit with water in at least one operating state, in particular in a water reforming operation. Preferably, the water management unit is provided to provide and / or regulate a water circuit between the water tank and the fuel cell unit. Preferably, the water management unit has at least one pump unit. The pump unit is preferably designed as a radial or axial pump.Alternatively, all other designs of the pump unit that appear sensible to a person skilled in the art are conceivable. Preferably, the pump unit is provided to pump water within the water circuit between the water tank and the fuel cell unit. Preferably, the water management unit has a closed water circuit from the water tank via the fuel cell unit and back to the water tank, wherein the water can flow or be pumped through the water line to form the water circuit. It is conceivable that further units and / or elements of the water management unit and / or the fuel cell device are arranged on the water line or at least fluidically connected to it, which are provided for operating the fuel cell device. For example, the water management unit can have a disinfection element, such as a UV lamp or the like., a desalination and / or descaling element, such as a desalination and / or descaling cartridge or the like, a dirt particle filter element, such as a water filter or the like, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve, a fill level sensor and / or other units and / or elements that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art, which are arranged on or in the water line or the water tank and are particularly useful for safe and reliable operation of the fuel cell device. The water line can be designed as a flexible or rigid pipe. The water line is preferably made of a metallic or non-metallic material.

[0004] The fluid drain unit is preferably designed differently from a filling unit of the fuel cell device, which is provided for filling at least the water tank and / or the water line. The fluid drain unit is preferably provided in addition to the filling unit. The fluid drain unit is preferably provided for manually and / or automatically draining the water from the water management unit. In a configuration with an automatic drain function, the fluid drain unit is preferably provided to initiate a draining of the water from the water management unit depending on the temperature falling below a threshold.Preferably, the limit temperature, in particular at which the fluid drain unit is provided to automatically drain the water from the water management unit, corresponds to a temperature of the water in the water tank and / or the water line or to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the fuel cell device, with a value of in particular a maximum of 5°C, preferably a maximum of 4°C, and very particularly preferably a maximum of 2°C. Preferably, the fluid drain unit is provided to protect the water management unit and / or the fuel cell device from frost damage. The inventive design of the fuel cell device according to the invention can advantageously counteract damage to the water management unit and / or the fuel cell device due to frost.For example, after pre-assembly of the fuel cell device and subsequent test operation, as well as subsequent transport to a final operating location, damage to the water management unit and / or the fuel cell device due to freezing and the resulting expansion of the water in the water management unit can advantageously be counteracted, in particular because water in the water management unit can advantageously be easily drained before or during transport. Even when the fuel cell device is stored outdoors, in particular after pre-assembly of the fuel cell device and subsequent test operation, the water in the water management unit can advantageously be drained by the fluid drain unit in order to advantageously protect the water management unit and / or the fuel cell device from frost damage.

[0005] It is further proposed that the fluid drain unit has at least one drain valve which is arranged on the water tank, in particular on an underside of the water tank. The drain valve can be designed as an automatically responding, as an electrically and / or electronically controllable and / or as a manually actuated drain valve. For example, it is conceivable that the drain valve comprises a thermocouple, such as a bimetallic actuator or the like, which automatically responds when a limit temperature is undershot and automatically opens a drain channel and / or a drain opening of the drain valve. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable, for example, that the drain valve comprises an actuator, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or the like., which can be controlled electrically and / or electronically by a control unit of the fuel cell device and / or the water management unit, in particular depending on a detected temperature of the water or the environment, in order to open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable, for example, for the drain valve to comprise a handling element, such as a rotary knob, a rotary lever, a translationally movable slide or the like, in order to open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve. The drain valve can also have another design that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art in order to automatically and / or manually open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve. The drain valve is preferably arranged on a bottom of the water tank.The drain valve can be integrated into the water tank, in particular directly into the floor, or can be fluidly connected to the water tank, in particular indirectly, via a connecting line of the water management unit that is fluidly connected to the water tank at the floor. It is also conceivable for the drain valve to be arranged at another position on the water tank that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, which position allows the water to be safely drained from the water tank. By means of the design of the fuel cell device according to the invention, a structurally simple and reliable possibility for draining the water from the water tank of the water management unit can be realized. Advantageously, reliable protection of at least the water tank, in particular the entire fuel cell device, against damage by frost can be achieved, which protection is structurally simple and in particular can be triggered automatically.

[0006] It is further proposed that the fluid drain unit have at least one, in particular further, drain valve arranged on the water line, in particular in a water line region of the water line between the fuel cell unit and the water tank. The further drain valve preferably has a design identical to the drain valve. The possible designs of the drain valve previously listed as examples for the drain valve preferably also apply to possible designs of the further drain valve. The drain valve and the further drain valve preferably have an identical design, but are preferably arranged at different positions along the water circuit of the water management unit.It is also conceivable for the drain valve and the further drain valve to be designed differently, for example for the drain valve to be designed as a manually operable drain valve and the further drain valve to be designed as an electrically and / or electronically controllable drain valve, or vice versa. Further combinations of designs of the drain valve and the further drain valve that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable. The water line region of the water line can be a region of the water line via which water can be supplied to the fuel cell unit from the water tank, in particular during water reforming, or a region of the water line via which water can be discharged from the fuel cell unit and supplied to the water tank.The fluid drain unit can comprise one or more additional drain valves for draining the water from the water management unit, which can be arranged at a wide variety of positions on the water management unit, as deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. The inventive design of the fuel cell device can realize a structurally simple and reliable option for draining the water from the water line of the water management unit. Advantageously, reliable protection of at least the water line, in particular the entire fuel cell device, against damage caused by frost can be achieved, which is structurally simple and, in particular, can be triggered automatically.

[0007] Furthermore, it is proposed that the fluid drain unit have at least one flushing connection, in particular arranged on the water line, for a connection of a pressure relief unit, by means of which a pressure relief unit can be generated at least in the water line and / or the water tank in order to displace water from the water line and / or the water tank. The flushing connection is preferably provided for a connection of a pressure relief unit, which can be connected to the water line in addition to the pump unit of the water management unit.However, it is also conceivable that alternatively, in particular in an embodiment of the fluid drain unit without the flushing connection, or additionally by means of the pump unit of the water management unit in at least one operating state of the water management unit, an overpressure can be generated within the water circuit of the water management unit in order to displace water from the water management unit, in particular at least from the water line and / or from the water tank, in order to protect the water management unit from frost damage. The overpressure unit is preferably designed as a compressor, by means of which air can be introduced at an overpressure into the water line and / or the water tank. The flushing connection preferably has a design already known to a person skilled in the art for connecting the overpressure unit. The flushing connection is preferably arranged on the water line, in particular fluidically connected to it.The design according to the invention advantageously enables reliable and safe draining and / or displacement of water from the water management unit. Residual quantities that remain in the water tank and / or water line, for example, after opening the drain valve and / or the additional drain valve, can advantageously be reliably pumped out of the water tank and / or water line.

[0008] It is further proposed that the drain valve and / or the further drain valve be designed as an anti-freeze valve which opens automatically when a limit temperature is undershot, in particular when the temperature of the water in the water tank and / or in the water pipe is less than 3.1 °C. The drain valve preferably forms a frost protection monitor, which is already known to a person skilled in the art. The drain valve and / or the further drain valve are / is preferably designed as a current- and voltage-free anti-freeze valve which, for example, opens the drain channel and / or the drain opening as a result of temperature-induced deformation of a bimetal or the like, in order to allow the water to drain away. However, it is also conceivable for the drain valve and / or the further drain valve to be designed as an electrically and / or electronically operated anti-freeze valve.Further configurations of the drain valve and / or the additional drain valve that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art are also conceivable. The configuration according to the invention can reliably enable the water to be drained from the water tank and / or the water line before it freezes and causes frost damage. This can advantageously achieve reliable protection of at least the water line, in particular the entire fuel cell device, from damage caused by frost.

[0009] It is further proposed that the additional drain valve, in particular a further drain valve, be arranged on the water line between the fuel cell unit and a pressure equalization or shut-off valve of the water management unit. The additional drain valve can be integrated, in particular directly, into the water line, or can be fluidically connected, in particular indirectly, to the water line via a connecting line of the water management unit that is fluidically connected to the water tank. It is also conceivable that the additional drain valve be arranged at another position on the water tank that a person skilled in the art would deem appropriate, allowing the water to be safely drained from the water line.By means of the inventive design of the fuel cell device, it is advantageously possible to drain the water from the water line independently of the water draining from the water tank. This is because, for example, a fluid channel between the water tank and the pressure equalization or shut-off valve can be blocked off by means of the pressure equalization or shut-off valve. This allows, for example, a simple replacement of the water tank without draining all of the water. At the same time, a safe way of draining the water from the water line is maintained, in particular even when the water tank is dismantled and the water line is blocked off by the pressure equalization or shut-off valve. A structurally simple and reliable way of draining the water from the water line of the water management unit can be realized.Advantageously, a reliable protection of at least the water line, in particular of the entire fuel cell device, against damage by frost can be achieved, which is structurally simple and in particular can be triggered automatically.

[0010] It is also proposed that the fuel cell device comprise at least one temperature sensor unit, depending on which the drainage of water can be controlled or regulated by means of the fluid drainage unit. The temperature sensor unit can be designed as a mechanical sensor unit, such as a bimetallic sensor unit or the like, or as an electrical and / or electronic temperature sensor unit that is connected to the control unit for an exchange of control signals and / or control data, in particular when the drain valve and / or the further drain valve is designed as an electrically and / or electronically controllable drain valve. The temperature sensor unit preferably comprises at least one sensor element for detecting a temperature of the water in the water tank and / or in the water line.The temperature sensor unit preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements for detecting a temperature of the water in the water tank and / or in the water pipe, particularly when the sensor elements are configured as bimetals integrated into the drain valve and the further drain valve. The temperature sensor unit can comprise at least one further sensor element for detecting a temperature of an environment surrounding the fuel cell device, particularly to enable a high level of protection against frost damage. By means of the configuration according to the invention, reliable protection of the entire fuel cell device against damage caused by frost can advantageously be achieved, which protection is structurally simple and can be triggered automatically.

[0011] Furthermore, a fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell device according to the invention is proposed. The fuel cell system can comprise a single fuel cell device according to the invention or a plurality of fuel cell devices according to the invention. Preferably, the fuel cell system has, in particular in addition to the fuel cell device according to the invention, at least one auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit. In this context, an "auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit" is to be understood in particular as a unit which is designed to support the operation of a fuel cell unit in an operating state. For example, the auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit can be a gas booster unit, in particular a compressor, a desulfurization unit, or another unit deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.The fuel cell system preferably has at least one housing unit in which the fuel cell device and the at least one auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit are arranged, in particular permanently installed. The design according to the invention advantageously counteracts damage to the fuel cell system caused by frost.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for operating and / or protecting the fuel cell device according to the invention. It is proposed that, in at least one method step, water is drained and / or displaced from the water management unit by means of the fluid drain unit, in particular automatically, in particular as a function of a temperature detected by means of a temperature sensor unit of the fuel cell device, in particular the one already mentioned, in particular of the water in the water tank and / or in the water line and / or the environment surrounding the fuel cell device. By means of the embodiment according to the invention, reliable protection of the fuel cell device against damage caused by frost can advantageously be achieved.

[0013] The fuel cell device according to the invention, the fuel cell system according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the fuel cell device according to the invention, the fuel cell system according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention may, in order to fulfill a functionality described herein, have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein. Furthermore, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily. drawing

[0014] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0015] It shows: Fig. 1 a fuel cell system according to the invention with a fuel cell device according to the invention in a schematic representation. Description of the embodiment

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a fuel cell system 34 with at least one fuel cell device 10, in particular a prefabricated fuel cell device 10. Preferably, the fuel cell system 34, in particular in addition to the fuel cell device 10, has at least one auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit (not shown in detail here). For example, the auxiliary and / or auxiliary unit can be a gas booster unit, in particular a compressor, a desulfurization unit, or another unit that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art and is necessary and / or useful for operation. Preferably, the fuel cell system 34 has at least one housing unit 36 (in Fig. 1 indicated by dashed lines), in which the fuel cell device 10 and the at least one secondary and / or auxiliary unit are arranged, in particular together, in particular are permanently installed.

[0017] The fuel cell device 10 comprises at least one fuel cell unit 12 and at least one water management unit 14, which has at least one water tank 16 and at least one water line 18, via which the water tank 16 is fluidly connected to the fuel cell unit 12. The fuel cell unit 12 preferably comprises a plurality of fuel cell stacks having a configuration already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0018] The water management unit 14 is preferably provided to supply the fuel cell unit 12 with water in at least one operating state, in particular in a water reforming operation. The water management unit 14 is preferably provided to provide and / or regulate a water circuit between the water tank 16 and the fuel cell unit 12. The water management unit 14 preferably has a closed water circuit from the water tank 16 via the fuel cell unit 12 and back to the water tank 16, wherein the water can flow through the water line 18 or can be conveyed to form the water circuit. The water management unit 14 preferably has at least one pump unit 38, which is arranged in particular on the water line 18 and fluidly connected thereto.The pump unit 38 is preferably provided to pump water within the water circuit between the water tank 16 and the fuel cell unit 12. It is conceivable that further units and / or elements of the water management unit 14 and / or the fuel cell device 10 are arranged on the water line 18, which are in particular at least fluidically connected thereto and which are provided for operation of the fuel cell device 10. For example, the water management unit 14 can have a disinfection element 40, such as a UV lamp or the like, a water treatment element 42, such as a desalination and / or decalcification cartridge or the like, a dirt particle filter element 44, such as a water filter or the like., a conductivity sensor 46, a pressure sensor 48, a pressure equalization or shut-off valve 30, a fill level sensor 50, and / or other units and / or elements deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, which are arranged on or in the water line 18 or the water tank 16 and are particularly necessary and / or appropriate for safe and reliable operation of the fuel cell device 10. The water line 18 can be designed as a flexible or rigid pipe. The water line 18 is preferably made of a metallic or non-metallic material.

[0019] The fuel cell device 10 comprises at least one fluid drain unit 20, which is provided for draining water from the water management unit 14, in particular at least from the water tank 16 and / or from the water line 18. The fluid drain unit 20 is preferably provided for conducting the water out of the housing unit 36, in particular by means of at least one drain channel and / or at least one drain opening leading out of the housing unit 36. The fluid drain unit 20 is preferably designed differently from a filling unit (not shown in detail here) of the fuel cell device 10, which is provided for filling at least the water tank 16 and / or the water line 18. The fluid drain unit 20 is preferably provided in addition to the filling unit.The fluid drain unit 20 is preferably provided for manually and / or automatically draining the water from the water management unit 14, in particular at least from the water tank 16 and / or the water line 18. In a configuration with an automatic drain function, the fluid drain unit 20 is preferably provided to initiate and / or carry out a draining of the water from the water management unit 14, in particular at least from the water tank 16 and / or the water line 18, depending on the temperature falling below a threshold.Preferably, the limit temperature, in particular at which the fluid drain unit 20 is provided to automatically drain the water from the water management unit 14, in particular at least from the water tank 16 and / or the water line 18, corresponds to a temperature of the water in the water tank 16 and / or the water line 18 or to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the fuel cell device 10, with a value of in particular a maximum of 5°C, preferably a maximum of 4°C, and very particularly preferably a maximum of 2°C. Preferably, the fluid drain unit 20 is provided to protect the water management unit 14 and / or the fuel cell device 10 from frost damage.

[0020] The fluid drain unit 20 preferably has at least one drain valve 22, which is arranged on the water tank 16, in particular on an underside of the water tank 16. The drain valve 22 can be designed as an automatically responding, as an electrically and / or electronically controllable and / or as a manually actuated drain valve 22. For example, it is conceivable for the drain valve 22 to comprise a thermocouple, such as a bimetallic actuator or the like, which automatically responds when the limit temperature is undershot and automatically opens a drain channel and / or a drain opening of the drain valve 22. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable, for example, for the drain valve 22 to comprise an actuator, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or the like., which can be controlled electrically and / or electronically by a control unit (not shown in detail here) of the fuel cell device 10 and / or the water management unit 14, in particular depending on a detected temperature of the water or the environment, in order to open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve 22. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable, for example, for the drain valve 22 to comprise a handling element, such as a rotary knob, a rotary lever, a translationally movable slide or the like, in order to open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve 22. The drain valve 22 can also have another design that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art in order to open or close the drain channel and / or the drain opening of the drain valve 22 automatically and / or manually.Preferably, the drain valve 22 is arranged at a bottom of the water tank 16.

[0021] The fluid drain unit 20 preferably comprises at least one further drain valve 24, which is arranged on the water line 18, in particular in a water line region of the water line 18 between the fuel cell unit 12 and the water tank 16. The further drain valve 24 is preferably arranged between the fuel cell unit 12 and the pressure equalization or shut-off valve 30 of the water management unit 14 on the water line 18. The further drain valve 24 preferably has a design identical to the drain valve 22. The possible designs of the drain valve 22 previously listed as examples for the drain valve 22 preferably also apply to possible designs of the further drain valve 24. The drain valve 22 and the further drain valve 24 preferably have an identical design, but are preferably arranged at different positions along the water circuit of the water management unit 14.It is also conceivable for the drain valve 22 and the further drain valve 24 to be designed differently, for example for the drain valve 22 to be designed as a manually operable drain valve 22 and the further drain valve 24 to be designed as an electrically and / or electronically controllable drain valve 24, or vice versa. The drain valve 22 and / or the further drain valve 24 are / is designed as an antifreeze valve which opens / opens automatically when a limit temperature is undershot, in particular when the temperature of the water in the water tank 16 and / or in the water line 18 is less than 3.1°C. Preferably, the drain valve 22 and / or the further drain valve 24 each form / form an antifreeze monitor, which is already known to a person skilled in the art.The drain valve 22 and / or the additional drain valve 24 are / is preferably designed as a current- and voltage-free antifreeze valve, which, for example, opens the drain channel and / or the drain opening as a result of temperature-induced deformation of a bimetal or the like to allow the water to drain away. However, it is also conceivable for the drain valve 22 and / or the additional drain valve 24 to be designed as an electrically and / or electronically operated antifreeze valve. Other configurations of the drain valve 22 and / or the additional drain valve 24 that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

[0022] Preferably, the fluid drain unit 20 comprises at least one flushing connection 26, arranged in particular on the water line 18, to a connection of an overpressure unit 28 (in Fig.1 only indicated by dashed lines), by means of which at least one overpressure can be generated in the water line 18 and / or the water tank 16 in order to displace water from the water line 18 and / or from the water tank 16. The flushing connection 26 is preferably provided for connecting the overpressure unit 28 to the water line 18. Preferably, the overpressure unit 28 can be connected to the water line 18 by means of the flushing connection 26 in addition to the pump unit 38 of the water management unit 14.However, it is also conceivable that, alternatively, in particular in an embodiment of the fluid drain unit 20 without the flushing connection 26, or additionally by means of the pump unit 38 of the water management unit 14 in at least one operating state of the water management unit 14, an overpressure can be generated within the water circuit of the water management unit 14 in order to displace water from the water management unit 14, in particular at least from the water line 18 and / or from the water tank 16, in order to protect the water management unit 14 and / or the fuel cell device 10 from frost damage. The overpressure unit 28 is preferably designed as a compressor, by means of which air at an overpressure can be introduced into the water line 18 and / or the water tank 16. The flushing connection 26 preferably has a design already known to a person skilled in the art for connecting the overpressure unit 28.

[0023] The fuel cell device 10 preferably comprises at least one temperature sensor unit 32, depending on which the drainage of water can be controlled or regulated by means of the fluid drainage unit 20. The temperature sensor unit 32 can be designed as a mechanical sensor unit, such as a bimetallic sensor unit or the like, or as an electrical and / or electronic temperature sensor unit 32, which is connected to the control unit for an exchange of control signals and / or control data, in particular when the drain valve 22 and / or the further drain valve 24 is designed as an electrically and / or electronically controllable drain valve 22, 24. The temperature sensor unit 32 preferably comprises at least one sensor element (not shown in detail here) for detecting a temperature of the water in the water tank 16 and / or in the water line 18.The temperature sensor unit 32 preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements for detecting a temperature of the water in the water tank 16 and / or in the water line 18, in particular when the sensor elements are configured as bimetals integrated into the drain valve 22 and the further drain valve 24. The temperature sensor unit 32 can comprise at least one further sensor element (not shown in detail here) for detecting a temperature of an environment surrounding the fuel cell device 10, in particular to enable a high level of protection against frost damage.

[0024] In a method for operating and / or protecting the fuel cell device 10, water is preferably drained and / or displaced from the water management unit 14, in particular from the water tank 16 and / or from the water line 18, in at least one method step by means of the fluid drain unit 20, in particular automatically, in particular as a function of a temperature detected by the temperature sensor unit 32 of the fuel cell device 10. The method can comprise further method steps that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art and that are appropriate and / or necessary for operating and / or protecting the fuel cell device 10. Preferably, further method steps of the method can be derived from the description of the features of the fuel cell system 34 and / or the fuel cell device 10 based on the method.

Claims

Fuel cell device, in particular prefabricated fuel cell device, with at least one fuel cell unit (12) and with at least one water management unit (14) which has at least one water tank (16) and at least one water line (18) via which the water tank (16) is fluidically connected to the fuel cell unit (12), characterized by at least one fluid drain unit (20) which is provided for draining water from the water management unit (14), in particular at least from the water tank (16) and / or from the water line (18). Fuel cell device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid drain unit (20) has at least one drain valve (22) which is arranged on the water tank (16), in particular on an underside of the water tank (16). Fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid drain unit (20) has at least one, in particular further, drain valve (24) which is arranged on the water line (18), in particular in a water line region of the water line (18) between the fuel cell unit (12) and the water tank (16). Fuel cell device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid drain unit (20) has at least one flushing connection (26), in particular arranged on the water line (18), to a connection of an overpressure unit (28), by means of which at least one overpressure can be generated in the water line (18) and / or the water tank (16) in order to displace water from the water line (18) and / or from the water tank (16). Fuel cell device at least according to claim 2, characterized in that the drain valve (22) is designed as an antifreeze valve which opens automatically when a limit temperature is undershot. Fuel cell device at least according to claim 3, characterized in that the, in particular further, drain valve (24) is designed as an antifreeze valve which opens automatically when a limit temperature is undershot. Fuel cell device at least according to claim 3, characterized in that the, in particular further, drain valve (24) is arranged between the fuel cell unit (12) and a pressure equalization or shut-off valve (30) of the water management unit (14) on the water line (18). Fuel cell device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one temperature sensor unit (32), as a function of which a drainage of water can be controlled or regulated by means of the fluid drainage unit (20). Fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell device according to one of the preceding claims. Method for operating and / or protecting the fuel cell device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in at least one method step, water is drained and / or displaced from the water management unit (14) by means of the fluid drain unit (20), in particular automatically, in particular as a function of a temperature detected by means of a temperature sensor unit (32) of the fuel cell device.

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