Fuel cell system

Abstract

To inhibit deterioration of durability of accessory components which cause a fuel cell stack to operate.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell stack 2, a cooling fan 4, and accessory components 51, 52, and a housing 1. The fuel cell stack 2 has an air inlet 6 which causes air to flow into the fuel cell stack 2. The cooling fan 4 is connected to the downstream side of the air inlet 6 of the fuel cell stack 2 and has an air outlet 7 which causes the air in the fuel cell stack 2 to flow to the outside of the cooling fan 4. Housing spaces 17, 18 of the housing 1 are partitioned into a first housing space 17 including the air inlet 6 and a second housing space 18 including the air outlet 7. The accessory components 51, 52 include a first accessory component 51 having a lower heatproof temperature and a second accessory component 52 having a high heatproof temperature. The first accessory component 51 is housed in the first housing space 17, and the second accessory component 52 is housed in the second housing space 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell system. [Background technology]

[0002] A fuel cell stack, which is made up of a plurality of fuel cell units that generate electricity by reacting hydrogen fuel with oxygen in the air and are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, generates heat during power generation and therefore needs to be cooled.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a fuel cell device that has an exhaust port at the top of an outer case that constitutes a module storage chamber that houses a fuel cell module for exhausting air from within the module storage chamber, and has a number of air circulation holes around the bottom of the fuel cell module for supplying air from within the auxiliary equipment storage chamber to the module storage chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-224246 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The auxiliary components that operate the fuel cell stack have different heat resistance temperatures depending on the type of component, so it is preferable to accommodate them in a housing according to their heat resistance temperatures.

[0006] However, in the fuel cell device disclosed in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the heat resistance temperature of the auxiliary parts, and therefore the durability of the auxiliary parts with a low heat resistance temperature may decrease.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to suppress a decrease in durability of auxiliary parts that operate a fuel cell stack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the fuel cell system of the present invention is a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack in which multiple fuel cells are stacked, a cooling fan connected to the fuel cell stack and flowing air into the fuel cell stack to cool the fuel cell stack, auxiliary components for operating the fuel cell stack, and a housing having an accommodation space for the fuel cell stack, the cooling fan, and the auxiliary components, wherein the fuel cell stack has an air inlet for flowing the air into the fuel cell stack, the cooling fan is connected downstream of the air inlet of the fuel cell stack and has an air outlet for flowing the air in the fuel cell stack to the outside of the cooling fan, the accommodation space is partitioned into a first accommodation space including the air inlet and a second accommodation space including the air outlet, the auxiliary components include a first auxiliary component having a low heat resistance temperature and a second auxiliary component having a high heat resistance temperature, the first auxiliary component is accommodated in the first accommodation space, and the second auxiliary component is accommodated in the second accommodation space. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the durability of auxiliary parts that operate a fuel cell stack. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the internal configuration of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the internal configuration shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the internal configuration of a fuel cell system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same configurations or functions, and unless otherwise specified, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating the internal configuration of a fuel cell system 100 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the internal configuration shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] The fuel cell system 100 comprises a fuel cell stack 2 consisting of multiple plate-shaped fuel cells stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, which generate electricity by reacting hydrogen fuel with oxygen in the air, a cooling fan 4 connected to the fuel cell stack 2 and circulating air through the fuel cell stack 2, a fan shroud 3 connecting the fuel cell stack 2 and the cooling fan 4, auxiliary components 51, 52 that operate the fuel cell stack 2, a housing 1 that houses the fuel cell stack 2, the fan shroud 3, the cooling fan 4 and the auxiliary components 51, 52, and a partition plate 8 that divides the storage spaces 17, 18 of the housing 1.

[0014] The housing 1 has storage spaces 17, 18 that house the fuel cell stack 2, the fan shroud 3, the cooling fan 4, and the auxiliary components 51, 52. The housing 1 is shaped like a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box. The housing 1 has a front plate 11 provided with an intake port 15 that draws air into the housing 1, a rear plate 12 that faces the front plate 11 and that is provided with an exhaust port 16 that exhausts air from inside the housing 1 to the outside of the housing 1, a bottom plate 13 that is continuous with the front plate 11 and the rear plate 12, a top plate 14 that is continuous with the front plate 11 and the rear plate 12 and faces the bottom plate 13, a left plate that is continuous with the bottom plate 13 and the top plate 14, and a right plate that is continuous with the bottom plate 13 and the top plate 14 and faces the left plate.

[0015] It is preferable that an air filter is attached to the intake port 15 so as to prevent foreign objects from entering the housing 1. The type of air filter is not particularly limited as long as it can capture foreign objects of a certain size or larger, and may be made of, for example, nonwoven fabric. Also, an air filter may be attached to the exhaust port 16 as necessary.

[0016] The fuel cell stack 2 is constructed by stacking a plurality of plate-shaped fuel cell units in a predetermined stacking direction. The stacking direction of the fuel cell units is from the bottom to the top of the paper in FIG. 1. The fuel cell stack 2 has an air inlet 6 that allows air drawn into the housing 1 to flow into the fuel cell stack 2. The air inlet 6 is provided in the wall on the intake port 15 side of the fuel cell stack 2. The air inlet 6 faces the intake port 15. An opening is provided in the wall on the exhaust port 16 side of the fuel cell stack 2, and a cooling fan 4 is connected to the opening via a fan shroud 3.

[0017] The cooling fan 4 is connected to the exhaust port 16 side of the fuel cell stack 2 via the fan shroud 3. That is, the cooling fan 4 is connected to the downstream side of the air inlet 6 of the fuel cell stack 2 via the fan shroud 3. An air outlet 7 is provided on the exhaust port 16 side of the cooling fan 4, which allows the air in the fuel cell stack 2 to flow out of the cooling fan 4. The air outlet 7 faces the exhaust port 16. The air flows in the housing 1 from the fuel cell stack 2 toward the cooling fan 4, along the planar direction of the fuel cell cells, and perpendicular to the stacking direction of the fuel cell cells. The air flows in the housing 1 from the left side of the paper in FIG. 1 toward the right side of the paper.

[0018] When the cooling fan 4 rotates, air is drawn into the housing 1 through the air intake 15 and flows into the fuel cell stack 2 through the air inlet 6. The air in the fuel cell stack 2 passes through the cooling fins in the fuel cell stack 2, the fan shroud 3, and the cooling fan 4, and flows out through the air outlet 7. The air that flows out from the air outlet 7 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 1 through the exhaust port 16. The cooling fins in the fuel cell stack 2 may be integrated with the separators of the fuel cell cells.

[0019] The partition plate 8 divides the accommodation spaces 17, 18 of the housing 1 into a first accommodation space 17 including the air inlet 6 and the intake port 15, and a second accommodation space 18 including the air outlet 7 and the exhaust port 16. The first accommodation space 17 has a relatively lower temperature than the second accommodation space 18. The second accommodation space 18 has a relatively higher temperature than the first accommodation space 17. The partition plate 8 is made of a plate made of an air-impermeable material, such as an acrylic plate or a metal plate.

[0020] The partition plate 8 is disposed between the air inlet 6 and the air outlet 7, and extends toward the bottom plate 13, the top plate 14, the left plate, and the right plate of the housing 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the partition plate 8 in the first embodiment is attached to the surface of the fan shroud 3 facing the cooling fan 4. Because the partition plate 8 is attached to the fan shroud 3, which is a single component, the fuel cell system 100 can be manufactured or assembled more easily, thereby improving productivity.

[0021] Partition plate 8 may be fastened to fan shroud 3 or cooling fan 4 with bolts or the like, or may be formed integrally with fan shroud 3. Partition plate 8 may be formed integrally with fan shroud 3 by forming an outer edge portion of fan shroud 3 to extend to bottom plate 13 of housing 1 or the like.

[0022] The auxiliary parts 51, 52 include a first auxiliary part 51 having a low heat resistance temperature and a second auxiliary part 52 having a high heat resistance temperature. The first auxiliary part 51 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 17 having a low temperature. The second auxiliary part 52 is accommodated in the second accommodation space 18 having a high temperature.

[0023] The fuel cell stack 2 generates power when hydrogen fuel and air are supplied into the fuel cell stack 2. Air for power generation is supplied from the air inside the casing 1 to an air compressor, which then supplies the air to the fuel cell stack 2. Hydrogen fuel is supplied from a hydrogen tank to the fuel cell stack 2 via a regulator, injector, and the like. The air compressor, regulator, and injector are among the auxiliary components 51, 52. Note that the air for power generation may be supplied by a cooling fan 4 instead of the air compressor.

[0024] Hydrogen circulation system components such as a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust drain valve, and a hydrogen circulation pump are connected to the hydrogen fuel outlet side of the fuel cell stack 2. When the outside air temperature is below freezing, these hydrogen circulation system components may be blocked by the moisture in the hydrogen flow path freezing. Therefore, it is preferable that the hydrogen circulation system components are used in an environment of 0°C or higher. In other words, it is preferable that the hydrogen circulation system components are disposed in the second housing space 18. The hydrogen circulation system components are one of the second auxiliary components 52.

[0025] It is not necessary for all of the hydrogen circulation system components to be disposed in the second accommodation space 18, and at least one of the hydrogen circulation system components may be disposed in the second accommodation space 18. For example, if the hydrogen circulation pump is disposed in the second accommodation space 18, the piping connecting the fuel cell stack 2 and the hydrogen circulation pump needs to pass through the partition plate 8. It is preferable that a hole be provided in the partition plate 8 to allow the piping to pass through, and the gap between the piping and the hole be filled with urethane or the like.

[0026] The fuel cell system 100 also includes electrical system components such as a converter that increases or decreases the voltage of the power generated by the fuel cell stack 2, an inverter that converts direct current to alternating current, and an air compressor or hydrogen pump controller. The electrical system components can be components that are used for various purposes other than the fuel cell system 100, and are preferably used in a relatively low-temperature environment. In other words, the electrical system components are preferably disposed in the first housing space 17. The electrical system component is one of the first auxiliary components 51.

[0027] It is not necessary that all of the electrical system components are disposed in the first housing space 17, and at least one of the electrical system components may be disposed in the first housing space 17.

[0028] As described above, in the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment, the accommodation spaces 17, 18 of the housing 1 are partitioned into the low-temperature first accommodation space 17 including the air inlet 6 and the high-temperature second accommodation space 18 including the air outlet 7. In the fuel cell system 100, the first auxiliary component 51 having a low heat-resistant temperature is disposed in the first accommodation space 17, and the second auxiliary component 52 having a high heat-resistant temperature is disposed in the second accommodation space 18.

[0029] As a result, the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment divides the accommodation spaces 17, 18 in the housing 1 into a first accommodation space 17 and a second accommodation space 18 having different temperature environments, and the first auxiliary component 51 having a low heat resistance temperature can be used in the first accommodation space 17 in a low temperature environment. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment can suppress a decrease in durability of the first auxiliary component 51 having a low heat resistance temperature. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment can suppress a decrease in durability of the auxiliary components 51, 52 that operate the fuel cell stack 2.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the internal configuration of a fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0031] The fuel cell system 100 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the partition plate 8 is disposed near the air inlet 6. Other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] Since the fuel cell stack 2 generates heat during power generation, in the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment in which most of the fuel cell stack 2 is disposed in the first accommodation space 17, there is room for improvement in terms of suppressing a temperature rise in the first accommodation space 17. On the other hand, in the fuel cell system 100 of the second embodiment, most of the fuel cell stack 2 is disposed in the second accommodation space 18, so that the temperature rise in the first accommodation space 17 can be further suppressed. Note that since the fuel cell stack 2 is composed of multiple components such as multiple fuel cell units, terminals, and end plates, the partition plate 8 may be connected across the multiple components that constitute the fuel cell stack 2. It is preferable that the gap between the partition plate 8 and the multiple components is filled with urethane or the like.

[0033] As a result, the fuel cell system 100 of the second embodiment can reduce the temperature of the first accommodation space 17 more than in the first embodiment, and can further suppress a decrease in durability of the first auxiliary component 51, which has a low heat resistance temperature. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 of the second embodiment can further suppress a decrease in durability of the auxiliary components 51, 52 that operate the fuel cell stack 2.

[0034] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the present invention, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, or a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] Reference Signs List 1...housing, 2...fuel cell stack, 3...fan shroud, 4...cooling fan, 6...air inlet, 7...air outlet, 8...partition plate, 11...front plate, 12...rear plate, 13...bottom plate, 14...top plate, 15...air intake port, 16...exhaust port, 17...first storage space (storage space), 18...second storage space (storage space), 51...first auxiliary part (auxiliary part), 52...second auxiliary part (auxiliary part), 100...fuel cell system

Claims

[Claim 1] a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cell units are stacked; a cooling fan connected to the fuel cell stack for cooling the fuel cell stack by flowing air through the fuel cell stack; An auxiliary component that operates the fuel cell stack; a housing having a space for accommodating the fuel cell stack, the cooling fan, and the auxiliary components; A fuel cell system comprising: the fuel cell stack has an air inlet for introducing the air into the fuel cell stack; the cooling fan is connected to the fuel cell stack downstream of the air inlet, and has an air outlet through which the air in the fuel cell stack flows out of the cooling fan; The storage space is partitioned into a first storage space including the air inlet and a second storage space including the air outlet, The auxiliary parts include a first auxiliary part having a low heat resistance temperature and a second auxiliary part having a high heat resistance temperature, The first auxiliary component is accommodated in the first accommodation space, The second auxiliary component is accommodated in the second accommodation space. A fuel cell system comprising:

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