Fuel cell unit

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell unit capable of suppressing freezing of produced water in a drain pipe.SOLUTION: A fuel cell unit 10 includes: a fuel cell stack 11; an air compressor 13 arranged in parallel with the fuel cell stack 11 in a horizontal direction and compressing air supplied to the fuel cell stack 11; a first connection pipe 25 connected to an exhaust port of the air compressor 13; a drain tank 15; and a second drain pipe 28 arranged above the drain tank 15 and connected to the drain tank 15, the second drain pipe introducing produced water discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 into the drain tank 15. When a direction in which the fuel cell stack 11 and the air compressor 13 are aligned is defined as a first direction X, and a direction orthogonal to a vertical direction Z and the first direction X is defined as a second direction Y, the first connection pipe 25 has an arrangement section 25a arranged above the drain tank 15 in side view from the second direction Y, the arrangement section 25a facing the second drain pipe 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The fuel cell unit includes a fuel cell stack, an air compressor, a connecting pipe, a drain tank, and a drain pipe. The air compressor compresses air supplied to the fuel cell stack. The connecting pipe is connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor. The drain pipe is connected to the drain tank. The drain pipe introduces produced water discharged from the fuel cell stack into the drain tank. In Patent Document 1, the drain pipe is located above the drain tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-63920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the temperature in the environment in which the fuel cell unit is used drops below 0°C, the produced water flowing through the drain pipe will freeze. If the produced water flowing through the drain pipe freezes, the drain pipe may become clogged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A fuel cell unit for solving the above problems comprises a fuel cell stack, an air compressor arranged horizontally alongside the fuel cell stack and compressing air supplied to the fuel cell stack, a connecting pipe connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor, a waste tank, and a discharge pipe arranged above the waste tank and connected to the waste tank, for introducing generated water discharged from the fuel cell stack into the waste tank, wherein the direction in which the fuel cell stack and the air compressor are aligned is defined as a first direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, and the connecting pipe has an arrangement portion arranged above the waste tank in a side view from the second direction, and the arrangement portion faces the discharge pipe.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the connecting pipe is connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor, and high-temperature compressed air compressed by the air compressor flows through the connecting pipe. The connecting pipe has an installation portion that is located above the drain tank in a side view from the second direction. The installation portion faces the drain pipe. By locating the connecting pipe near the drain pipe in this manner, the drain pipe is warmed by the heat of the compressed air flowing through the connecting pipe. This prevents the water generated in the drain pipe from freezing.

[0007] In the fuel cell unit, the mounting portion may be opposed to the drain tank in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, the installation portion faces the drain tank in the vertical direction, so that the heat of the compressed air flowing through the connecting pipe can prevent not only the water produced in the drain pipe from freezing, but also the water produced in the drain tank from freezing.

[0008] In the fuel cell unit, the drain tank may have a recess recessed from the top surface, and the mounting portion may be disposed within the recess. According to the above configuration, since the installation portion is disposed within the recess of the waste water tank, the connecting pipe can be disposed near the drain pipe without increasing the vertical size of the fuel cell unit. Furthermore, since the installation portion faces the waste water tank horizontally, freezing of the generated water in the waste water tank can be further suppressed.

[0009] In the fuel cell unit, the installation portion may be opposed to the exhaust pipe in the vertical direction, and the installation portion may be located below the exhaust pipe. The air around the connecting pipe rises as it is heated by the heat of the compressed air flowing through the connecting pipe. With the above configuration, since the installation section is located below the exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe is more easily heated by the rising air than when the installation section is located above the exhaust pipe. Therefore, freezing of the water generated inside the exhaust pipe can be more effectively prevented.

[0010] The fuel cell unit may further include an intercooler connected to the air compressor by the connecting pipe, the intercooler facing the drain tank in at least one of the vertical direction and the second direction.

[0011] The intercooler is connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor by a connecting pipe, and high-temperature compressed air compressed by the air compressor flows into the intercooler. According to the above configuration, the intercooler faces the exhaust tank in at least one of the vertical direction and the second direction, and therefore, the heat of the compressed air flowing into the intercooler can prevent the water generated in the exhaust tank from freezing.

[0012] The fuel cell unit may further include a converter having a reactor, the reactor being aligned with the drain tank in the second direction. According to the above configuration, the reactor, which is a heat-generating component, is aligned with the waste water tank in the second direction, and therefore, the heat of the reactor can prevent the generated water in the waste water tank from freezing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the generated water in the drain pipe from freezing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drain tank, the first connecting pipe, and the second drain pipe. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first connecting pipe and the second exhaust pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of a fuel cell unit will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The fuel cell unit of this embodiment is mounted on an industrial vehicle (not shown). The industrial vehicle is, for example, a forklift.

[0016] <Basic configuration of fuel cell unit> 1, fuel cell unit 10 includes fuel cell stack 11, hydrogen tank 12, air compressor 13, intercooler 14, drain tank 15, gas-liquid separator 16, hydrogen circulation pump 17, and exhaust / drain valve 18. In this embodiment, drain tank 15 includes dilution section 15a, water storage section 15b, and connection path 15c connecting dilution section 15a and water storage section 15b. Fuel cell unit 10 also includes hydrogen supply pipe 21, air supply pipe 22, anode drain pipe 23, and cathode drain pipe 24.

[0017] The fuel cell stack 11 generates electricity to be supplied to a load mounted on the industrial vehicle. The fuel cell stack 11 is made up of a plurality of fuel cell cells stacked together. The fuel cell cells are solid molecular fuel cells. The fuel cell stack 11 generates direct current electrical energy by reacting hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell stack 11 generates electricity using hydrogen as fuel gas and oxygen in the air as oxidant gas.

[0018] The hydrogen tank 12 stores hydrogen. The hydrogen supply pipe 21 connects the hydrogen tank 12 to an anode (not shown) of the fuel cell stack 11. The hydrogen supply pipe 21 supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 12 to the fuel cell stack 11.

[0019] The air compressor 13 compresses air containing oxygen. The air compressor 13 has an exhaust port (not shown) through which the compressed air is discharged. The air supply pipe 22 connects the exhaust port of the air compressor 13 to a cathode (not shown) of the fuel cell stack 11. The air supply pipe 22 supplies the compressed air compressed by the air compressor 13 to the fuel cell stack 11.

[0020] The intercooler 14 is provided midway along the air supply pipe 22. The air supply pipe 22 has a first connecting pipe 25 that serves as a connecting pipe connecting the exhaust port of the air compressor 13 and the intercooler 14, and a second connecting pipe 26 that connects the intercooler 14 and the anode of the fuel cell stack 11.

[0021] The fuel cell stack 11 discharges an anode off-gas and a cathode off-gas. The anode off-gas contains unreacted hydrogen in the fuel cell stack 11 and water produced when hydrogen and oxygen react in the fuel cell stack 11. The cathode off-gas contains air containing unreacted oxygen in the fuel cell stack 11 and water produced when hydrogen and oxygen react in the fuel cell stack 11.

[0022] The anode exhaust pipe 23 connects the fuel cell stack 11 and the drain tank 15. The gas-liquid separator 16 is provided midway along the anode exhaust pipe 23. The anode exhaust pipe 23 has a first exhaust pipe 27 that connects the fuel cell stack 11 and the gas-liquid separator 16, and a second exhaust pipe 28 that serves as an exhaust pipe that connects the gas-liquid separator 16 and the dilution section 15a of the drain tank 15.

[0023] The first exhaust pipe 27 introduces the anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 into the gas-liquid separator 16. In the gas-liquid separator 16, the anode off-gas is separated into hydrogen and generated water. The gas-liquid separator 16 is connected to the anode of the fuel cell stack 11 via a hydrogen circulation pump 17. The hydrogen separated in the gas-liquid separator 16 is returned to the fuel cell stack 11 by the hydrogen circulation pump 17.

[0024] The exhaust drain valve 18 is connected to the gas-liquid separator 16. The exhaust drain valve 18 can be switched between an open state and a closed state. When the exhaust drain valve 18 is closed, the produced water separated in the gas-liquid separator 16 is stored in the gas-liquid separator 16. When the exhaust drain valve 18 is switched from the closed state to the open state, the produced water stored in the gas-liquid separator 16 is introduced into the dilution section 15a of the waste water tank 15 through the second drain pipe 28. In other words, the second drain pipe 28 introduces the produced water discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 into the waste water tank 15.

[0025] The cathode exhaust pipe 24 introduces the cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 into the dilution section 15 a of the exhaust tank 15 . In the dilution section 15a, the anode off-gas is diluted with the cathode off-gas. The diluted gas is discharged to the outside of the waste tank 15. The produced water in the dilution section 15a is discharged to the water storage section 15b through the connection path 15c and then stored in the water storage section 15b. The produced water stored in the water storage section 15b is discharged to the outside of the waste tank 15.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fuel cell unit 10 includes a holding member 30. The holding member 30 in this embodiment is made of metal. The holding member 30 has a lower plate 31, an upper plate 32, and a connection plate 33. The thickness directions of the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 coincide with the vertical direction Z. The upper plate 32 is located above the lower plate 31 in the vertical direction Z. The connection plate 33 connects the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z. The thickness direction of the connection plate 33 coincides with the horizontal direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the lower plate 31 has an area that overlaps with the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z and an area that does not overlap with the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z. The connecting plate 33 has a first surface 33a and a second surface 33b. The first surface 33a and the second surface 33b are each surfaces that are perpendicular to the plate thickness direction of the connecting plate 33. The second surface 33b is the surface opposite the first surface 33a. Note that Figure 4 does not show various piping other than the first connecting pipe 25.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell unit 10 includes a converter 34. The converter 34 converts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 11. The converter 34 includes a reactor 35. Although not shown, the reactor 35 includes a core and a coil wound around the core. In this embodiment, the converter 34 includes three reactors 35. When distinguishing between the three reactors 35, they are referred to as a first reactor 35a, a second reactor 35b, and a third reactor 35c.

[0029] The fuel cell unit 10 has a control unit 36 ​​that controls the fuel cell unit 10. The control unit 36 ​​has a motor driver 37 that drives the hydrogen circulation pump 17 and the motor of the air compressor 13 (not shown).

[0030] <Layout of components of fuel cell unit> 2 and 3, the fuel cell stack 11 is placed on an upper plate 32. The air compressor 13 is disposed above the upper plate 32. The air compressor 13 is fixed to the upper plate 32 via a bracket (not shown). The air compressor 13 is disposed so that its exhaust port is located below in the vertical direction Z. The air compressor 13 is disposed alongside the fuel cell stack 11 in the horizontal direction.

[0031] In the following description, the direction in which the fuel cell stack 11 and the air compressor 13 are aligned is referred to as a first direction X. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and the first direction X is referred to as a second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y each coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0032] 2 and 4, the waste tank 15 is placed on the lower plate 31. The waste tank 15 is disposed in an area of ​​the lower plate 31 that does not overlap with the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] 3 and 4, the converter 34 is placed on the lower plate 31. The converter 34 is disposed in a region of the lower plate 31 that overlaps with the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z. The converter 34 is disposed below the upper plate 32. The converter 34 is disposed below the fuel cell stack 11.

[0034] 3, the first reactor 35a and the second reactor 35b are aligned in the first direction X. The third reactor 35c is disposed below the first reactor 35a and the second reactor 35b.

[0035] The motor driver 37 is placed on the lower plate 31. The motor driver 37 is disposed in a region of the lower plate 31 that overlaps with the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction Z. The motor driver 37 is disposed below the upper plate 32. The motor driver 37 is aligned with the converter 34 in the first direction X. The motor driver 37 is disposed below the air compressor 13.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the connection plate 33 is located between the waste water tank 15 and the converter 34 in the second direction Y. The plate thickness direction of the connection plate 33 coincides with the second direction Y. The first surface 33a of the connection plate 33 is located on the waste water tank 15 side in the second direction Y. The second surface 33b of the connection plate 33 is located on the converter 34 side in the second direction Y. The third reactor 35c of the converter 34 is aligned with the waste water tank 15 via the connection plate 33 in the second direction Y. The connection plate 33 is located between the waste water tank 15 and the motor driver 37 in the second direction Y. The motor driver 37 is aligned with the waste water tank 15 via the connection plate 33 in the second direction Y.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the drain tank 15 of this embodiment has a lower wall 41, a first upper wall 42, a second upper wall 43, a first side wall 44, a second side wall 45, a third side wall 46, a fourth side wall 47, and a fifth side wall 48.

[0038] The second upper wall 43 is located closer to the connecting plate 33 than the first upper wall 42 in the second direction Y. The second upper wall 43 is located lower than the first upper wall 42 in the vertical direction Z. The first side wall 44 connects the lower wall 41 and the first upper wall 42. The second side wall 45 connects the lower wall 41 and the second upper wall 43. The third side wall 46 connects the first upper wall 42 and the second upper wall 43. The fourth side wall 47 and the fifth side wall 48 connect the first side wall 44 and the second side wall 45 in the second direction Y, and also connect the first side wall 44 and the third side wall 46 in the second direction Y.

[0039] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the waste tank 15 is defined by the upper surface of the first upper wall 42. The second upper wall 43 and the third side wall 46 define a recess 150 recessed from the upper surface of the waste tank 15. Therefore, the waste tank 15 has the recess 150 recessed from the upper surface.

[0040] 2 and 5, the second drain pipe 28 is disposed above the drain tank 15. The second drain pipe 28 is connected to a first connection port (not shown) provided in the first upper wall 42. Although not shown, the cathode drain pipe 24 is connected to a second connection port (not shown) provided in the first upper wall 42.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a plate-shaped partition wall 49 is provided in the waste water tank 15 to divide the space within the waste water tank 15 in the vertical direction Z. The partition wall 49 connects the first side wall 44 and the third side wall 46 in the second direction Y, and connects the fourth side wall 47 and the fifth side wall 48 in the first direction X. The dilution section 15a is formed by a space within the space within the waste water tank 15 that is located above the partition wall 49. The water storage section 15b is formed by a space within the space within the waste water tank 15 that is located below the partition wall 49. The partition wall 49 has a through-hole 49a that penetrates the partition wall 49 in the plate thickness direction. In this embodiment, the connection path 15c is formed by the through-hole 49a.

[0042] 5, a first outlet 48a is provided in an upper portion of the fifth side wall 48 for discharging the gas diluted in the dilution section 15a to the outside of the waste tank 15. A second outlet 48b is provided in a lower portion of the fifth side wall 48 for discharging the produced water stored in the water storage section 15b to the outside of the waste tank 15.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the intercooler 14 is attached to the first surface 33a of the connecting plate 33. Therefore, the intercooler 14 is located closer to the waste water tank 15 than the connecting plate 33 in the second direction Y. The intercooler 14 of this embodiment is disposed in a recess 150 of the waste water tank 15. The intercooler 14 faces the second upper wall 43 of the waste water tank 15 in the vertical direction Z. The intercooler 14 faces the third side wall 46 of the waste water tank 15 in the second direction Y. The first connecting pipe 25 and the second connecting pipe 26 (not shown in FIG. 4) are each connected to a connecting port (not shown) provided on the surface of the intercooler 14 facing the third side wall 46 of the waste water tank 15.

[0044] 2, the first connecting pipe 25 has an arrangement portion 25a that is arranged above the waste tank 15 in a side view seen from the second direction Y. Note that "arranged above the waste tank 15 in a side view seen from the second direction Y" naturally refers to a case where it is arranged directly above the top surface of the waste tank 15, but also includes a case where it is arranged directly above a part of the waste tank 15 as in this embodiment, and a case where it is arranged above the top surface of the waste tank 15 at a position shifted from the entire waste tank 15 in the second direction Y.

[0045] 5, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 25a is disposed in the recess 150 of the waste tank 15. The mounting portion 25a is disposed above the second upper wall 43 of the waste tank 15 and to the side of the third side wall 46 of the waste tank 15. The mounting portion 25a faces the second upper wall 43 of the waste tank 15 in the vertical direction Z. The mounting portion 25a faces the third side wall 46 of the waste tank 15 in the second direction Y.

[0046] In this embodiment, the installation portion 25a and the second exhaust pipe 28 intersect in a side view seen from the first direction X. Therefore, the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in the first direction X.

[0047] 2, the installation portion 25a and the second exhaust pipe 28 intersect in a side view seen from the second direction Y. Therefore, the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in the second direction Y.

[0048] 6, in a plan view, the installation portion 25a and the second exhaust pipe 28 intersect. Therefore, the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in the vertical direction Z. The installation portion 25a in this embodiment is located below the second exhaust pipe 28.

[0049] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The fuel cell unit 10 includes a fuel cell stack 11, an air compressor 13, a first connecting pipe 25, a drain tank 15, and a second drain pipe 28. The air compressor 13 compresses air to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 11. The first connecting pipe 25 is connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor 13. Therefore, high-temperature compressed air compressed by the air compressor 13 flows through the first connecting pipe 25. The second drain pipe 28 is disposed above the drain tank 15 and is connected to the drain tank 15. The second drain pipe 28 introduces produced water discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 into the drain tank 15.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first connecting pipe 25 has an installation portion 25a that is disposed above the drain tank 15 in a side view seen from the second direction Y. The installation portion 25a faces the second drain pipe 28 in the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. By arranging the first connecting pipe 25 near the second drain pipe 28 in this manner, the second drain pipe 28 is warmed by the heat of the high-temperature compressed air flowing through the first connecting pipe 25. Therefore, freezing of the produced water in the second drain pipe 28 can be suppressed.

[0051] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The first connecting pipe 25 has an installation portion 25a that is disposed above the drain tank 15 in a side view seen from the second direction Y. The installation portion 25a faces the second drain pipe 28. By arranging the first connecting pipe 25 near the second drain pipe 28 in this manner, the second drain pipe 28 is warmed by the heat of the compressed air flowing through the first connecting pipe 25. Therefore, freezing of the generated water in the second drain pipe 28 can be suppressed.

[0052] If the produced water freezes in the second discharge pipe 28 and blocks the second discharge pipe 28, low-purity hydrogen will be returned to the fuel cell stack 11 by the hydrogen circulation pump 17, which will reduce the hydrogen concentration and may result in poor power generation. There is also a risk that the produced water will not be able to be discharged to the outside of the fuel cell unit 10. In contrast, in this embodiment, the produced water is prevented from freezing in the second discharge pipe 28, which makes the second discharge pipe 28 less likely to become blocked, and therefore the above problem is less likely to occur.

[0053] (2) The installation portion 25a faces the drain tank 15 in the vertical direction Z. This allows the heat of the compressed air flowing through the first connecting pipe 25 to prevent the freezing of the produced water in the second drain pipe 28 as well as the freezing of the produced water in the drain tank 15.

[0054] (3) The waste water tank 15 has a recess 150 recessed from the top surface. The installation portion 25a is disposed within the recess 150. This allows the first connecting pipe 25 to be disposed near the second drain pipe 28 without increasing the size of the fuel cell unit 10 in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, since the installation portion 25a faces the waste water tank 15 in the horizontal direction as well, freezing of the generated water within the waste water tank 15 can be further suppressed.

[0055] (4) The air around the first connecting pipe 25 rises as it is heated by the heat of the compressed air flowing through the first connecting pipe 25. In this embodiment, the installation portion 25a of the first connecting pipe 25 faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in the vertical direction Z. The installation portion 25a is located below the second exhaust pipe 28. Therefore, the second exhaust pipe 28 is more likely to be heated by the rising air than when the installation portion 25a is located above the second exhaust pipe 28. Therefore, freezing of the generated water in the second exhaust pipe 28 can be further suppressed.

[0056] (5) The intercooler 14 is connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor 13 by the first connecting pipe 25. Therefore, high-temperature compressed air compressed by the air compressor 13 flows into the intercooler 14. In this embodiment, the intercooler 14 faces the drain tank 15 in the vertical direction Z and the second direction Y. Therefore, the heat of the compressed air that flows into the intercooler 14 can prevent the water generated in the drain tank 15 from freezing.

[0057] (6) The reactor 35 is a heat-generating component. In this embodiment, the reactor 35 is aligned with the waste water tank 15 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the heat of the reactor 35 can prevent the produced water in the waste water tank 15 from freezing.

[0058] (7) The motor driver 37 is a heat-generating member. In this embodiment, the motor driver 37 is aligned with the waste water tank 15 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the heat from the motor driver 37 can prevent the generated water in the waste water tank 15 from freezing.

[0059] (8) The connection plate 33 is interposed between the waste water tank 15 and the reactor 35. The connection plate 33 is made of metal. This makes it easier for heat from the reactor 35 to be transferred to the waste water tank 15 via the connection plate 33 than when the connection plate 33 is made of, for example, resin.

[0060] (9) One possible configuration for preventing the generated water in the second exhaust pipe 28 from freezing is to provide a heater for warming the second exhaust pipe 28, but this would lead to an increase in size and cost of the fuel cell unit 10. In contrast, this embodiment utilizes the heat of the first connecting pipe 25, which is an existing component of the fuel cell unit 10, and the compressed air compressed for power generation in the fuel cell stack 11, thereby preventing the fuel cell unit 10 from becoming larger and more expensive.

[0061] (10) As a configuration for suppressing freezing of the generated water in the second drain pipe 28, for example, it is conceivable to shorten the length of the second drain pipe 28 or tilt the second drain pipe 28 so that the generated water is less likely to accumulate in the second drain pipe 28. However, due to constraints on the size of the fuel cell unit 10 and the arrangement of components, it may be difficult to shorten the length of the second drain pipe 28 or tilt the second drain pipe 28. In contrast, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress freezing of the generated water in the second drain pipe 28 even in cases where it is difficult to shorten the length of the second drain pipe 28 or tilt the second drain pipe 28.

[0062] (11) The first connecting pipe 25 reaches a higher temperature than other heat-generating components such as the reactor 35 and the motor driver 37. Therefore, by arranging the first connecting pipe 25 near the second drain pipe 28, the second drain pipe 28 can be heated more effectively.

[0063] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in three directions, that is, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The installation portion 25a may face the second exhaust pipe 28 in only one direction among the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the vertical direction Z, or in any combination of two directions.

[0065] The installation portion 25a may face the second exhaust pipe 28 in a direction obtained by combining any two directions selected from the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. As long as the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28, it does not have to intersect with the second exhaust pipe 28. For example, the installation portion 25a may extend parallel to the second exhaust pipe 28.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 25a is disposed above the second upper wall 43 of the waste tank 15. However, the mounting portion 25a may be disposed above the first upper wall 42 of the waste tank 15. In this case, the mounting portion 25a faces the waste tank 15 in the vertical direction Z, and therefore, the effect (2) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0067] The mounting portion 25a does not have to face the waste tank 15 in the vertical direction Z as long as it is positioned above the waste tank 15 in a side view seen in the second direction Y. The drain tank 15 does not have to have the recess 150.

[0068] When the installation portion 25a faces the second exhaust pipe 28 in the vertical direction Z, the installation portion 25a may be located above the second exhaust pipe 28. The intercooler 14 does not have to face the drain tank 15 in the vertical direction Z and the second direction Y.

[0069] The intercooler 14 faces the drain tank 15 in the vertical direction Z, but does not have to face the drain tank 15 in the second direction Y. Even in this case, the effect (5) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0070] The intercooler 14 faces the drain tank 15 in the second direction Y, but does not necessarily face the drain tank 15 in the vertical direction Z. Even in this case, the effect (5) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0071] That is, the effect (5) of the above embodiment can be obtained as long as the intercooler 14 faces the drain tank 15 in at least one of the vertical direction Z and the second direction Y. Note that "at least one of the vertical direction Z and the second direction Y" refers to "only the vertical direction Z," "only the second direction Y," or "both the vertical direction Z and the second direction Y."

[0072] The reactor 35 does not have to be aligned with the drain tank 15 in the second direction Y. The connection plate 33 does not need to be interposed between the waste water tank 15 and the reactor 35. In this case, the heat of the reactor 35 is transferred to the waste water tank 15 without passing through the connection plate 33, which further prevents the generated water in the waste water tank 15 from freezing.

[0073] The connection plate 33 does not have to be interposed between the waste water tank 15 and the motor driver 37. In this case, heat from the motor driver 37 is transferred to the waste water tank 15 without passing through the connection plate 33, which further prevents the generated water in the waste water tank 15 from freezing.

[0074] The holding member 30 does not have to be made of metal. In addition to the first connecting pipe 25, a heat source other than the first connecting pipe 25 may be arranged to face the second exhaust pipe .

[0075] Heat sources other than the first connecting pipe 25, the intercooler 14, the reactor 35, and the motor driver 37 may be arranged to face the drain tank 15 or to be aligned with the drain tank 15 via the connecting plate 33.

[0076] The fuel cell unit 10 does not have to be mounted on an industrial vehicle. [Note] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0077] <Appendix 1> A fuel cell unit comprising: a fuel cell stack; an air compressor arranged horizontally alongside the fuel cell stack and compressing air supplied to the fuel cell stack; a connecting pipe connected to the exhaust port of the air compressor; a waste tank; and a discharge pipe arranged above the waste tank and connected to the waste tank, for introducing water discharged from the fuel cell stack into the waste tank, wherein the direction in which the fuel cell stack and the air compressor are aligned is defined as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction is defined as a second direction, the connecting pipe has an arrangement portion arranged above the waste tank in a side view from the second direction, and the arrangement portion faces the discharge pipe.

[0078] <Appendix 2> 2. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the installation portion faces the drain tank in the vertical direction.

[0079] <Appendix 3> 3. The fuel cell unit according to claim 2, wherein the drain tank has a recess recessed from an upper surface thereof, and the mounting portion is disposed within the recess.

[0080] <Appendix 4> 4. The fuel cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting portion faces the exhaust pipe in the vertical direction and is located below the exhaust pipe.

[0081] <Appendix 5> 5. The fuel cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an intercooler connected to the air compressor by the connecting pipe, the intercooler facing the drain tank in at least one of the vertical direction and the second direction.

[0082] <Appendix 6> 6. The fuel cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a converter having a reactor, the reactor being aligned with the drain tank in the second direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...fuel cell unit, 11...fuel cell stack, 13...air compressor, 14...intercooler, 15...drain tank, 25...first connecting pipe as connecting pipe, 25a...arrangement section, 28...second drain pipe as drain pipe, 34...converter, 35...reactor, 150...recess, X...first direction, Y...second direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. a fuel cell stack; an air compressor arranged horizontally next to the fuel cell stack and compressing air to be supplied to the fuel cell stack; a connecting pipe connected to an exhaust port of the air compressor; A waste tank and a drain pipe disposed above the drain tank and connected to the drain tank, for introducing generated water discharged from the fuel cell stack into the drain tank; A fuel cell unit comprising: If the direction in which the fuel cell stack and the air compressor are aligned is defined as a first direction, and the vertical direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction are defined as a second direction, the connecting pipe has an installation portion that is disposed above the drain tank in a side view seen from the second direction, The fuel cell unit is characterized in that the installation portion faces the exhaust pipe.

2. 2. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the installation portion faces the drain tank in the vertical direction.

3. The drain tank has a recess recessed from an upper surface, The fuel cell unit according to claim 2 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed within the recess.

4. The installation portion faces the exhaust pipe in the vertical direction, 2. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the installation portion is located below the exhaust pipe.

5. an intercooler connected to the air compressor by the connecting pipe; 2. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the intercooler faces the drain tank in at least one of the vertical direction and the second direction.

6. a converter having a reactor, The fuel cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the reactor is aligned with the drain tank in the second direction.

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