Air-cooling fuel battery system

Abstract

To provide a fuel battery system capable of continuing a power generation of a fuel battery under a freezing point.SOLUTION: The present invention provides an air-cooling fuel battery system. The fuel battery system comprises; a fuel battery stacks in which a plurality of cells having a power generation part of which an X-Y surface is a rectangular shape to a Z direction; and means of measuring an external temperature. The cell includes a reaction air channel and a cooling air channel having a channel structure in which a reaction air and a cooling air are independent. Each cell comprises the channel structure that the reaction air is flown to an X direction, and the cooling air is flown to the Y direction so that a flowing of the cooling air and the flowing of the reaction air are crossed in a plan view. By changing an air amount distribution of the cooling air by the external air temperature, a distribution is made in which cooling capacity of the power generation part is not uniform in the X direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air-cooled fuel cell systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed regarding fuel cells (FCs) such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-103250 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional air-cooled fuel cells, water tends to accumulate in sub-freezing environments, and in areas where it is difficult to raise the temperature, freezing occurs during power generation due to the continuous introduction of sub-freezing cooling air. This causes the cells to freeze in sub-freezing environments.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a fuel cell system that can continue generating power in a fuel cell even at sub-freezing temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an air-cooled fuel cell system, The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells, each having a power generation section whose XY plane is rectangular, are stacked in the Z direction, and a means for measuring an outside air temperature. The cell has a reaction air flow path and a cooling air flow path having an independent flow path structure for reaction air and cooling air, The cell includes the flow path structure that flows the reactant air in an X direction and the cooling air in a Y direction so that the flow of the cooling air and the flow of the reactant air intersect in a plan view, The present invention provides a fuel cell system, characterized in that the distribution of the cooling capacity of the power generation unit is not uniform in the X direction by changing the air volume distribution of the cooling air depending on the outside air temperature. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The fuel cell system of the present disclosure is capable of continuing to generate power in the fuel cell even at sub-freezing temperatures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining freezing avoidance control in a conventional water-cooled fuel cell system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the problem to be solved by the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a fuel cell system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that matters other than those specifically mentioned in this specification and necessary for implementing the present disclosure (for example, the general configuration and manufacturing process of a fuel cell system that does not characterize the present disclosure) can be understood as design matters of a person skilled in the art based on the prior art in the field. The present disclosure can be implemented based on the contents disclosed in this specification and the technical common sense in the field. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships (length, width, thickness, etc.) in the drawings do not reflect the actual dimensional relationships. In the present disclosure, the gas supplied to the anode of the fuel cell is a fuel gas (anode gas), and the gas supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell is an oxidant gas (cathode gas). The fuel gas is a gas that mainly contains hydrogen and may be hydrogen. The oxidant gas is a gas that contains oxygen and may be oxygen, air, etc. In the present disclosure, air as the oxidant gas is referred to as reaction air, and air as the cooling gas is referred to as cooling air.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to improving the performance of air-cooled fuel cells, and is particularly useful as a method for improving performance in sub-freezing and low-temperature environments.

[0011] Fuel cells generate energy by generating electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, producing water. The water produced by the power generation becomes liquid water or water vapor and is discharged from the fuel cell stack through the outlet manifold of the fuel cell stack, and then passes through a pressure regulating valve before being discharged to the outside. Therefore, the structural characteristics of the fuel cell make it easy for the generated water to accumulate near the outlet manifold downstream of the reactant air. Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining the freeze avoidance control in a conventional water-cooled fuel cell system. In a conventional water-cooled fuel cell system as shown in Fig. 4, there was a problem that the generated water freezes in an environment where the outside air temperature is below freezing, making it impossible to start up. To address this problem, in order to prevent the cooling water from being overcooled, the cooling water after passing through the stack is returned to the stack inlet again using a bypass line, and the cooling water temperature is raised by the heat generated by the cells, thereby preventing freezing due to overcooling of the entire cell. On the other hand, in air-cooled fuel cells, the heat capacity of the entire stack is smaller than in water-cooled fuel cells, and the heat generated by the cells is transferred to the entire stack in a short time during startup, so there is little risk of freezing during startup and the cells can be started without any problems. However, air-cooled fuel cells constantly draw in outside air as a cooling gas, which can cause localized low-temperature areas in the Y direction and reduce power generation efficiency. In addition, in open-air air-cooled FCs, where the cooling air flowing in the Y direction also serves as reaction air, the power generation distribution in the X direction is relatively small, but in independent reaction air types, the X direction is the upstream / downstream direction of the oxidant gas, and reaction distribution occurs, which tends to cause the temperature distribution in the X direction to be large. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the problem to be solved by the present disclosure. FIG. 5 (1) is a schematic plan view showing an example of a conventional independent reaction air type fuel cell system, and FIG. 5 (2) is a diagram for explaining the problem of (1). As shown in FIG. 5, the present researchers found a new problem with an independent reaction air type air-cooled fuel cell in a subzero environment, that is, the cell freezes during steady power generation after start-up. As a result of investigating the details of the freezing mechanism, it was clarified that the oxygen concentration is low around the manifold part downstream of the reaction air, and power generation is weak and the temperature is difficult to increase, so that the water generated downstream of the reaction air freezes in that area, especially in the inlet part of the cooling air. Similarly, in the hydrogen flow path, there is a risk that the water generated will freeze near the manifold, which is the downstream part of the hydrogen. In other words, if the cooling capacity is suppressed so that the temperature around the manifold, which is the coldest part of the cell, does not cool too much, and the cell temperature can be maintained higher than 0°C, the freezing problem can be avoided. Therefore, it was found that the freezing problem could be solved by always distributing the cooling capacity in the X direction.

[0012] First embodiment In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an air-cooled fuel cell system, The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells, each having a power generation section whose XY plane is rectangular, are stacked in the Z direction, and a means for measuring an outside air temperature. The cell has a reaction air flow path and a cooling air flow path having an independent flow path structure for reaction air and cooling air, The cell includes the flow path structure that flows the reactant air in an X direction and the cooling air in a Y direction so that the flow of the cooling air and the flow of the reactant air intersect in a plan view, The present invention provides a fuel cell system, characterized in that the distribution of the cooling capacity of the power generation unit is not uniform in the X direction by changing the air volume distribution of the cooling air depending on the outside air temperature.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, which will be described later, according to the first embodiment, when a predetermined temperature (particularly below freezing point) is detected, control is performed to distribute the cooling flow rate, thereby making it possible to prevent deterioration of the power generation state.

[0014] Second embodiment In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, when the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature, the area near the downstream end of the reaction air flow path may have a lower cooling capacity than the average within the power generation surface of the cell.

[0015] The vicinity of the downstream end of the reactant air passage may include 1 / 4 to 1 / 20 of the area of ​​the power generation section from the downstream end of the reactant air passage. The region near the downstream end of the reactant air passage may have a cooling capacity of -20% to -100% compared to the average in the power generation surface of the cell.

[0016] Third embodiment In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, the cell has a hydrogen gas flow path, When the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, a region near the downstream end of the hydrogen gas flow channel may have a lower cooling capacity than an average within the power generation surface of the cell.

[0017] The area near the downstream end of the hydrogen gas flow channel may include 1 / 4 to 1 / 20 of the area of ​​the power generation section from the downstream end of the hydrogen gas flow channel.The area near the downstream end of the hydrogen gas flow channel may have a cooling capacity of -20% to -100% compared to the average within the power generation surface of the cell.

[0018] According to the second and third embodiments, since the amount of heat generated is small and the drop in power generation due to freezing and the like is significant in areas where generated water is likely to accumulate, it is possible to easily increase the temperature of frozen areas as shown in FIG. 5.

[0019] Fourth embodiment In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, the distribution of the cooling capacity of the power generation unit may be changed by placing an obstruction to obstruct the flow of air at least in one of the cooling air inlet portion or the cooling air outlet portion of the fuel cell stack. The obstruction may be a pressure loss body that obstructs the flow of air introduced into the stack. As the pressure loss body, a gas impermeable material, a resin plate, a louver, a grill shutter, a punched metal, a porous body, a nonwoven fabric, an electronic component board, a sensor wiring, a pipe, an auxiliary device, a fastening shaft or bolt, a dust filter of different roughness, an insulator, a partition wall, etc. may be used. As shown in FIG. 7 described later, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to adapt to both sub-freezing and high temperature environments, and the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved with simple control.

[0020] Fifth embodiment In a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell system may have a plurality of cooling air supply means in the X direction, and the air volume distribution of the cooling air may be changed by adjusting the power of each cooling air supply means. As shown in FIG. 1 described later, according to the fifth embodiment, by installing multiple cooling fans as a cooling air supply means, the cooling capacity is reduced only at the ends when the temperature is below freezing, and all cooling fans are driven when the outside temperature is high, making it possible to apply the device to both sub-freezing and high temperature environments.

[0021] Sixth embodiment In a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fifth embodiment, the distribution of cooling capacity by the cooling air supply means may be achieved by reducing the amount of cooling air supplied to the reaction air flow outlet side and the hydrogen gas flow outlet side or by stopping the supply, thereby making it easier to raise the temperature compared to areas with high cooling capacity. As shown in Fig. 2, which will be described later, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cooling capacity only at the end portion where the cooling capacity becomes supercooled. Since even a small amount of cooling gas may freeze when the temperature is below freezing, the cooling fan in the portion corresponding to the frozen portion is stopped, which makes it easier to obtain the effect of providing a distributed cooling capacity.

[0022] Seventh embodiment In a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fifth embodiment, the fuel cell system has a plurality of the cooling air supply means in the Z direction, and the power of each cooling air supply means is adjusted so that the cooling capacity of the power generation unit is not uniform in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 6 described later, according to the seventh embodiment, a decrease in cell performance under low temperature conditions can occur in each cell in the stacking direction. In addition, when a cooling capacity distribution is applied to only some of the cells, a temperature difference occurs in the stacking direction, so that a decrease in performance in other cells can be prevented.

[0023] Eighth embodiment In the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fourth embodiment, a blade may be installed in the direction of the cooling air flow as the obstruction, and the opening degree of the blade may be controlled to be distributed in a direction intersecting with the cooling air, thereby distributing the cooling capacity. As shown in FIG. 9 described later, according to the eighth embodiment, it is possible to adapt to both sub-freezing and high temperature environments, and it is easy to obtain the effect of distributing cooling capacity by individually adjusting the opening degrees of multiple blades.

[0024] Ninth embodiment In a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fifth embodiment, the fuel cell system may have a voltage detection means, and if the voltage decreases due to control to reduce the amount of cooling air supplied, it may be determined that the fuel cell system is in an overheated state. Since the cell temperature distribution cannot be measured during actual operation, according to the ninth embodiment, an excessive temperature rise can be prevented by voltage monitoring, as shown in FIG. 10 described later.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell system of the present disclosure, showing the configuration of an independent reaction air type air-cooled fuel cell. Fig. 3 (1) shows an example of the configuration of the fuel cell system, and (2) shows an example of the configuration of the cell. This disclosure is characterized in that, when it is detected that the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the cooling capacity is non-uniformly distributed in the reaction air and hydrogen flow direction, which is the X direction in FIG. 3, thereby preventing the cells from freezing in a sub-zero environment.

[0026] The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack in which hydrogen and air react to generate electricity, a hydrogen supply system which supplies the hydrogen needed to generate electricity, an air supply system which supplies the reaction air, a cooling air supply system which supplies cooling air to cool the heat generated by the power generation, and a means for measuring the outside air temperature.

[0027] A fuel cell stack (stack) is a laminate in which multiple fuel cell unit cells (cells) are stacked in the Z direction. In this disclosure, both cells and fuel cell stacks may be referred to as fuel cells. The number of cells stacked in the fuel cell stack is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, from 2 to several hundred. The fuel cell stack may have wavy cooling fins between each cell to provide cooling air flow paths. The fuel cell stack may have current collector plates, pressure plates, etc. at the ends in the stacking direction.

[0028] The cell has a power generation section whose XY plane is rectangular, and has a reactant air flow path (oxidant gas flow path) and a cooling air flow path (cooling gas flow path) with independent flow path structures for the reactant air and the cooling air, and may further have a hydrogen gas flow path (fuel gas flow path). A flow path structure in which the reaction air and the cooling air are separate means that there is no sharing of air between the flow paths from the supply of air to the fuel cell to the exhaust of air from the fuel cell. Note that the flow path for exhausting the air exhausted from the fuel cell to the outside of the fuel cell system may or may not be separate. The cell has a flow path structure that allows the reactant air to flow in the X direction and the cooling air to flow in the Y direction so that the cooling air flow and the reactant air flow intersect in a plan view. The cooling air flow and the reactant air flow may be perpendicular to each other as long as they intersect. The power generating section may be a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including an electrolyte membrane and electrodes. The electrolyte membrane may be a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Examples of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane include a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane such as a thin film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing water, and a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane may be, for example, a Nafion membrane (manufactured by DuPont). The electrodes are the anode (fuel electrode) and the cathode (oxygen electrode). The electrodes include a catalyst layer and may include a gas diffusion layer as necessary, and the power generating portion may be a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (MEGA). The catalyst layer may include, for example, a catalytic metal that promotes an electrochemical reaction, an electrolyte having proton conductivity, and a carrier having electron conductivity. As the catalytic metal, for example, platinum (Pt) and alloys of Pt and other metals (for example, Pt alloys mixed with cobalt and nickel, etc.) can be used. The electrolyte may be a fluorine-based resin, etc. As the fluorine-based resin, for example, a Nafion solution, etc. may be used. The catalytic metal is supported on a carrier, and in each catalyst layer, the carrier supporting the catalytic metal (catalyst-supporting carrier) and the electrolyte may be mixed. The support for supporting the catalytic metal may be, for example, a carbon material such as carbon that is generally available commercially. The gas diffusion layer may be a conductive member having air holes. Examples of the conductive member include porous carbon materials such as carbon cloth and carbon paper, and porous metal members such as metal mesh and foamed metal. A single cell of the fuel cell may include a separator. The separators collect the electric current generated by power generation and function as partition walls. In a fuel cell, the separators are usually arranged on both sides of the power generation section in the stacking direction so that the power generation section is sandwiched between a pair of separators. One of the pair of separators is an anode separator and the other is a cathode separator. The separator may have holes forming manifolds such as supply holes and discharge holes for circulating a fluid in the stacking direction of the cells. The separator may be made of, for example, dense carbon obtained by compressing carbon to make it gas impermeable, or a press-molded metal (for example, iron, titanium, stainless steel, etc.). The cell may include an insulating resin frame disposed on the outer side (periphery) of the membrane electrode assembly in the planar direction between the anode separator and the cathode separator. The resin frame is molded into a plate-like and frame-like shape using a thermoplastic resin, and seals the gap between the anode separator and the cathode separator while holding the membrane electrode assembly in its central region. For the resin frame, for example, a resin such as PE, PP, PET, or PEN can be used. The resin frame may be a three-layer sheet composed of three layers with an adhesive layer disposed on the surface layer.

[0029] The reaction air supply system supplies reaction air to the fuel cell stack as an oxidant gas and adjusts the flow rate of the reaction air. The reaction air supply system may include an air compressor, reaction air piping, reaction air sealing valves (reaction air inlet valve and reaction air outlet valve), etc. The hydrogen supply system supplies hydrogen as a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack and adjusts the flow rate of the hydrogen, and may include a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen pipe, a shutoff valve, a hydrogen pressure regulating valve, a hydrogen injector, etc. The cooling air supply system supplies cooling air as a cooling gas to the fuel cell stack and adjusts the flow rate of the cooling air. The cooling air supply system may include an air fan or the like as a cooling air supply means. The number of cooling air supply means may be one or more, may be two or more, or may be three or more. The fuel cell system may include a control device. The control device may control the reaction air supply system, the hydrogen supply system, the cooling air supply system, etc., and may control the entire fuel cell system. The control device physically has, for example, a processing device such as a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read-only memory) that stores control programs and control data processed by the CPU, a storage device such as a RAM (random access memory) that is mainly used as various working areas for control processing, and an input / output interface, and may be an ECU (electronic control unit), etc.

[0030] The specific configuration and operation of the means for providing a non-uniform distribution of cooling capacity in the X direction will be described below. As shown in FIG. 5, the above-mentioned frozen areas are always in a supercooled state when the outside air temperature is below freezing. When the outside air temperature is detected by the outside air temperature detection means, which is a means for measuring the outside air temperature, and the outside air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature, the cooling function is restricted by lowering the output of the cooling fan, which serves as the cooling gas supply means, or by stopping the cooling fan. This makes it possible to avoid freezing, but the problem of overheating occurs in the center of the cell, unlike the cell ends where freezing occurs.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fuel cell system of the present disclosure. The frozen area described above is always in a state of overcooling when the outside air temperature is below freezing, so as shown in Fig. 1, by using multiple cooling fans (first cooling fan 17, second cooling fan 18), it is possible to limit the cooling capacity of only the cell end corresponding to the frozen area by providing an uneven distribution of cooling capacity between the center of the cell and the cell end. In addition, when the stopped second cooling fan 18 and the driven first cooling fan 17 are arranged side by side, it is possible to suppress the circulation of wind near these cooling fans by installing a partition wall 14 in the duct 13, and it is possible to easily provide an uneven distribution of cooling capacity in the X direction.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. T0 is less than 0° C., and in sub-freezing conditions, even a small amount of sub-freezing air may be supplied to the cells, which may cause freezing, so stopping the supply of cooling gas is likely to be effective. When the temperature is low, between T0 and T1, the output of the cooling fans installed at both ends may be reduced. Also, when the outside temperature is high, all cooling fans are driven, making it possible to adapt to both low and high temperature environments.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 (1) is a schematic plan view showing an example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 (2) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuel cell system of FIG. 6 (1). Since an air-cooled fuel cell is composed of multiple stacked cells, temperature variations occur in the stacking direction. Considering that the cell temperature in the center in the stacking direction is the highest, as shown in FIG. 6, the cooling fans installed in the middle layer are controlled to have higher output than the upper and lower layers, thereby reducing temperature variations and improving power generation performance. The number of cooling fans in the stacking direction is arbitrary.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. Fig. 7(1) is a schematic plan view showing an example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure at low temperature, and Fig. 7(2) is a schematic plan view of the fuel cell system of (1) at high temperature. As shown in Fig. 7, by providing a movable partition 19 in the cooling gas flow path between the cells outside the stack and the cooling fan 17, it is possible to provide a non-uniform distribution of the cooling capacity according to the outside air temperature.

[0035] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, by installing a gas impermeable material 20 or a shutter movable in the cooling gas flow direction, the cooling capacity may be unevenly distributed according to the outside air temperature. The length L of the gas impermeable material 20 may be controlled by the actuator 21 in the ECU 16, so that the lower the outside air temperature, the longer the length L may be.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 9, by installing multiple louvers 22 movable in the cooling gas flow direction, the cooling capacity may be unevenly distributed by controlling the angle (opening adjustment) of the louvers according to the outside air temperature. The louver opening may be controlled by an actuator in the ECU 16, so that the lower the outside air temperature, the closer the end louver opening is.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. In order to avoid an overheating state caused by limiting the cooling capacity, which would result in a drop in voltage due to membrane drying, the cooling fan may be controlled so that the generated voltage is at its highest by monitoring the cell voltage with a voltage detection means. As shown in Fig. 10, when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature T1, control to reduce the cooling capacity may be implemented, and the control may be continued while the cell voltage is increasing, and may be terminated when the cell voltage stops increasing.

[0038] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing another example of the control of the fuel cell system of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, when the outside air temperature is less than a predetermined temperature T0, a cell temperature drop determination is performed, and when the cell temperature has dropped, a cooling gas flow rate distribution change operation is performed, and after a predetermined time has passed, a determination is made as to whether or not the cooling gas flow rate distribution change operation needs to be interrupted, and if interruption is not necessary, the cooling gas flow rate distribution change operation is continued, a recovery determination is performed, and when the temperature inside the fuel cell has recovered to a predetermined temperature or higher, the operation may be returned to normal operation and the control may be terminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Cell 2. Cooling fins (cooling air flow path) 3.Reaction air inlet 31.Reaction air outlet 4. Hydrogen gas inlet 41. Hydrogen gas outlet 5. Outside air temperature detection means 6. Cooling air (cooling gas) 7. Current collector plate 8. Pressure plate 9.Reaction air 10. Hydrogen gas 11. Separator 12.MEGA, resin frame 13. Duct 14. Bulkhead 15. Voltage detection means 16. ECU 17. Cooling fan 1 18. Cooling fan 2 19.Movable bulkhead (pressure loss body) 20. Gas impermeable materials 21. Actuator 22. Movable louvers (vanes) 25.Reaction air inlet valve 26.Reaction air outlet valve 50. Cooling water flow 51.Cooling water inlet 52. Cooling water outlet 53. Cooling water pump 54. Valve 55. Bypass Line

Claims

[Claim 1] An air-cooled fuel cell system, The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells, each having a power generation section whose XY plane is rectangular, are stacked in the Z direction, and a means for measuring an outside air temperature. The cell has a reaction air flow path and a cooling air flow path having an independent flow path structure for reaction air and cooling air, The cell includes the flow path structure that flows the reactant air in an X direction and the cooling air in a Y direction so that the flow of the cooling air and the flow of the reactant air intersect in a plan view, A fuel cell system comprising: a cooling unit that changes a distribution of the amount of cooling air flowing through the cooling unit according to the outside air temperature, thereby making the distribution of the cooling capacity of the power generation unit non-uniform in an X direction.

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