Fuel cell system

Abstract

To achieve miniaturization of a fuel cell system.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system comprises: a power generation module of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape including a fuel cell stack and a module case, in which a fuel gas inlet connected to an anode inlet, a fuel off-gas outlet connected to an anode outlet, and an oxidant gas inlet connected to a cathode inlet are formed in a module case; a fuel supply system including a fuel supply line connected to the fuel gas inlet of the power generation module and a fuel blower provided in the fuel supply line; and an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to the oxidant gas inlet of the power generation module. The fuel gas inlet and the fuel off-gas outlet are provided on the same plane of the power generation module, and the fuel supply system is arranged so as to face the same plane.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a fuel cell system. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional fuel cell system of this type includes a cell stack, a high-temperature housing that houses the cell stack and a combustor, a fuel gas supply passage that supplies fuel gas to the cell stack by operating a fuel gas pump, a fuel off-gas delivery passage that guides fuel off-gas from the cell stack out of the high-temperature housing and then back into the high-temperature housing to supply it to the combustor, a second heat exchanger disposed in an intermediate position (outside the high-temperature housing) of the fuel off-gas delivery passage, a recycle passage that branches off from the fuel off-gas delivery passage downstream of the second heat exchanger and is connected to the fuel gas supply passage between the fuel gas pump and a second throttle member, and a recycle valve disposed in the recycle passage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this fuel cell system, the fuel off-gas from the cell stack is cooled in the second heat exchanger and then delivered to the combustor, and a portion of the fuel off-gas delivered from the second heat exchanger to the combustor is returned to the fuel gas supply passage through the recycle passage by negative pressure generated by operating the fuel gas pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7221641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The power generation module has a fuel gas inlet through which fuel gas is introduced, an oxidant gas inlet through which oxidant gas is introduced, a fuel off-gas outlet through which fuel off-gas is discharged, etc., and these inlets and outlets are connected to piping for supplying and discharging gas to and from the power generation module. Therefore, depending on the relative positions of the inlets and outlets, the piping arrangement may become complicated and the entire system may become large.

[0005] A primary object of the present disclosure is to facilitate the routing of piping connected to a power generation module, thereby reducing the size of a fuel cell system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The fuel cell system of the present disclosure comprises: a power generation module having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the power generation module including a fuel cell stack that generates power using a fuel gas supplied to an anode and an oxidant gas supplied to a cathode, and a heat-insulating module case that houses the fuel cell stack, the module case having a fuel gas inlet connected to an inlet of the anode, a fuel off-gas outlet connected to an outlet of the anode, and an oxidant gas inlet connected to an inlet of the cathode; a fuel supply system including a fuel supply line connected to a fuel gas inlet of the power generation module and a fuel blower provided in the fuel supply line; an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to an oxidant gas inlet of the power generation module; Equipped with the fuel gas inlet and the fuel off-gas outlet are located on the same surface of the power generation module; The fuel supply system is installed to face the same surface. The gist of this is as follows.

[0008] In the fuel cell system disclosed herein, the fuel gas inlet and the fuel off-gas outlet are located on the same surface of the roughly rectangular parallelepiped power generation module, and the fuel supply system that supplies fuel to the fuel gas inlet is installed facing the same surface of the power generation module. This shortens the piping length of the fuel supply line and makes it easier to route the piping. As a result, the fuel cell system can be made more compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell units. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the fuel cell unit excluding the frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an internal front view of the fuel cell unit excluding the frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an internal side view of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an internal side view of the fuel cell unit excluding the frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the fuel cell unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a fuel blower subassembly. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an air blower subassembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a condensate tank subassembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fuel cell system 10 including a plurality of fuel cell units 20. FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the fuel cell unit 20, and FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view of the fuel cell unit 20 excluding the frame 21. FIG. 4 is an internal front view of the fuel cell unit 20, and FIG. 5 is an internal front view of the fuel cell unit 20 excluding the frame 21. FIG. 6 is an internal side view of the fuel cell unit 20, and FIG. 7 is an internal side view of the fuel cell unit 20 excluding the frame 21. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the fuel cell unit 20, and FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the fuel cell system 10. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the fuel blower subassembly 42, FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the air blower subassembly 52, and FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the condensed water tank subassembly 65.

[0012] 1, the fuel cell system 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (N, for example, four) fuel cell units 20, each including a plurality of (M, for example, four) power generation modules 30, and a housing 11 that covers the plurality of fuel cell units 20. The plurality of fuel cell units 20 are installed side by side, and the power generation modules 30 are connected in series between the plurality of fuel cell units 20, thereby configuring the fuel cell system 10.

[0013] Each fuel cell unit 20 is a unit that has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped appearance, and as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, is provided with a frame 21 that supports and fixes various components of the fuel cell unit 20. The frame 21 is made up of multiple pillars installed around the periphery and connected by beams.

[0014] 9, each fuel cell unit 20 includes a power generation module 30 including one fuel cell stack 31, a fuel supply system 40, an oxidant supply system 50, a circulation system 60, an exhaust heat recovery system 70, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 80 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, each fuel cell unit 20 includes a plurality of power generation modules 30 (fuel cell stacks 31) connected in series. Each power generation module 30 is provided with one fuel supply system 40, one oxidant supply system 50, one circulation system 60, and one electronic control unit 80.

[0015] The multiple power generation modules 30 of the fuel cell unit 20 are fixed to the frame 21 with bolts so as to be aligned vertically. As shown in FIG. 9, each power generation module 30 includes a fuel cell stack 31 as well as a combustor 32, a heat exchanger, etc. These are housed in a thermally insulating module case 35. The fuel cell stack 31 includes multiple solid oxide unit cells, each of which includes an electrolyte, an anode (fuel electrode) disposed on one side of the electrolyte, and a cathode (air electrode) disposed on the other side of the electrolyte. The fuel cell stack 31 generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen contained in fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source 1 (e.g., a hydrogen tank) and oxygen contained in oxidant gas (air).

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9, each of the fuel supply systems 40 of the fuel cell unit 20 includes a fuel gas pipe 41 and a fuel blower subassembly 42 including a fuel blower 43 installed in the fuel gas pipe 41. The fuel blower subassemblies 42 of the fuel supply systems 40 are arranged vertically and are installed facing the corresponding power generation module 30 in the front-to-rear direction (lateral direction). The fuel gas pipe 41 branches off from a common fuel pipe 25 connected to the fuel supply source 1 and is connected to a fuel gas inlet GI of the corresponding power generation module 30 (module case 35). An on-off valve 26 (dual valve) is installed in the fuel pipe 25. By operating the fuel blower 43, the fuel gas (hydrogen gas) from the fuel supply source 1 is distributed from the fuel pipe 25 to each fuel gas pipe 41 and introduced into the corresponding power generation module 30 from the fuel gas inlet GI. The fuel gas introduced into the power generation module 30 is then supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack 31 through a fuel gas flow path within the power generation module 30. The fuel supply system 40 (fuel blower subassembly 42) is installed facing the corresponding power generation module 30, and the fuel gas inlet GI is formed on the side (front) of the power generation module 30 facing the fuel supply system 40. This makes it possible to shorten the piping length of the fuel supply system 40 (fuel gas piping 41) and to simplify piping management. In addition, because a fuel blower 43 is installed in each fuel gas piping 41 (branch pipe), the amount of fuel gas supplied to each power generation module 30 can be controlled by individually controlling each fuel blower 43.

[0017] 10, in addition to the fuel blower 43, the fuel blower subassembly 42 includes a governor 44 (zero governor) and a flow rate sensor 45. The flow rate sensor 45, governor 44, and fuel blower 43 are installed in this order from the upstream side of the fuel gas pipe 41. The flow rate sensor 45, governor 44, and fuel blower 43 are attached to a bracket 46, and the bracket 46 is fixed to a beam of the frame 21 with bolts. Making the fuel blower subassembly 42 detachable from the frame 21 further improves maintainability.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9, the multiple oxidant supply systems 50 of the fuel cell unit 20 include air pipes 51 and air blower subassemblies 52 including air blowers 53 installed in the air pipes 51. The air blower subassemblies 52 of the multiple oxidant supply systems 50 are installed together in a space defined at the bottom of the frame 21 below the multiple power generation modules 30 arranged vertically. This allows the air blower subassemblies 52 to be installed efficiently in a limited space, thereby further miniaturizing the fuel cell system 10. In this embodiment, the air blower subassemblies 52 are installed so that multiple (two) air blower subassemblies 52 are arranged vertically in multiple tiers (two tiers) arranged in the front-to-rear (lateral) direction. An air filter 54 is attached to one end of the air pipes 51, and the other end of the air pipes 51 is connected to the air inlets AI of the corresponding power generation modules 30. By operating the air blower 53, air is sucked into the air pipe 51 through the air filter 54. The sucked air then passes through the air pipe 51 and is introduced into the corresponding power generation module 30 from the air inlet AI. The air introduced into the power generation module 30 is then supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 31 through the air flow path within the power generation module 30. Because an air blower 53 is installed in each air pipe 51, the amount of air supplied to each power generation module 30 can be controlled by individually controlling each air blower 53. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the air inlet AI is formed on the same side (front) as the side (front surface) on which the fuel gas inlet GI of the power generation module 30 (module case 35) is formed. As shown in FIG. 7, each air pipe 51 extends upward from each air blower subassembly 52 installed at the bottom of the frame 21, passing between the power generation module 30 and the fuel supply system 40, and is connected to the air inlet AI of the corresponding power generation module 30. This allows the air pipe 51 to be connected from the air blower subassembly 52 to the power generation module 30 without interfering with the layout of the power generation module 30 or the fuel supply system 40 .

[0019] 11, the air blower subassembly 52 includes a flow rate sensor 55 in addition to an air blower 53 and an air filter 54. The air filter 54, air blower 53, and flow rate sensor 55 are installed in the air piping 51 in this order from the upstream side of the air piping 51. The air filter 54, air blower 53, and flow rate sensor 55 are attached to a bracket 56, and the bracket 56 is fixed to a beam of the frame 21 with bolts. Making the air blower subassembly 52 detachable from the frame 21 with bolts further improves maintainability.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9, each of the multiple circulation systems 60 of the fuel cell unit 20 includes a fuel off-gas piping 61, a condenser 62 installed in the fuel off-gas piping 61, a return piping 63 branching off from the fuel off-gas piping 61 downstream of the condenser 62, a combustion gas piping 64 and a condensed water piping 68, and a condensed water tank subassembly 65 including a condensed water tank 66.

[0021] One end of the fuel offgas piping 61 is connected to the fuel offgas outlet FO of the power generation module 30. One end of the return piping 63 is connected to a branch point J1 on the other end side of the fuel offgas piping 61, and the other end of the return piping 63 is connected to a portion of the fuel gas piping 41 of the corresponding fuel supply system 40 between the fuel blower 43 and the governor 44. The return piping 63 is also formed with an orifice OF serving as a pressure regulating valve. One end of the combustion gas piping 64 is connected to the branch point J1 of the fuel offgas piping 61, and the other end of the combustion gas piping 64 is connected to a combustion gas inlet CI of the corresponding power generation module 30 (module case 35). In this embodiment, the fuel offgas outlet FO and the combustion gas inlet CI are formed on the same side (front surface) as the side surface on which the fuel gas inlet GI of the power generation module 30 (module case 35) is formed. This makes it possible to shorten the piping length of the piping of the circulation system 60 (the fuel offgas piping 61, the return piping 63, and the combustion gas piping 64) and to facilitate the routing of the piping. One end of the condensed water pipe 68 is connected to a branch point J2 in the fuel offgas pipe 61 downstream of the condenser 62 and upstream of the branch point J1, and the other end of the condensed water pipe 68 is connected to a condensed water tank 66.

[0022] The condenser 62 condenses water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas. As shown in FIG. 8 , the condenser 62 has a vertically extending rectangular cylindrical shape and is installed on the side facing the fuel supply system 40 of the corresponding power generation module 30. A fuel off-gas inlet 62a is formed in the upper part of the condenser 62, through which the fuel off-gas discharged from the fuel off-gas outlet FO is introduced. A fuel off-gas outlet 62b is formed in the lower part of the condenser 62, through which the fuel off-gas that has passed through the condenser 62 is discharged. The condenser 62 is installed so that the fuel off-gas inlet 62a is located below the fuel off-gas outlet FO of the corresponding power generation module 30 and the fuel off-gas outlet 62b is located above the branch point J2 from the fuel off-gas piping 61 to the condensed water piping 68. This allows the condensed water obtained by condensing the water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas in the condenser 62 to be smoothly discharged.

[0023] The fuel off-gas discharged from the fuel off-gas outlet FO via the fuel off-gas flow path in the power generation module 30 from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack 31 passes through the fuel off-gas piping 61 and condenses in the condenser 62 through heat exchange with a heat exchange medium (cooling water), causing water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas to condense. The fuel off-gas that has passed through the condenser 62 is then distributed to the return piping 63 and the combustion gas piping 64. The fuel off-gas distributed to the return piping 63 is drawn into the fuel gas piping 41 by negative pressure generated by the operation of the fuel blower 43, and is introduced into the fuel gas inlet GI of the power generation module 30 together with the fuel gas from the fuel supply source 1 and supplied to the anode inlet of the fuel cell stack 31. Meanwhile, the fuel off-gas distributed to the combustion gas piping 64 is introduced into the combustion gas inlet CI of the power generation module 30 and supplied to the combustor 32. The fuel off-gas supplied to the combustor 32 is then combusted in the combustor 32 together with the oxidant off-gas supplied from the cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack 31. In this embodiment, an orifice OF is formed in the reflux piping 63, and the fuel off-gas that has passed through the condenser 62 is distributed to the reflux piping 63 and the combustion gas piping 64 at a distribution rate that corresponds to the diameter of the orifice OF. By designing the diameter of the orifice OF so that the fuel off-gas is distributed to the fuel gas piping 41 and the combustor 32 at an optimal distribution rate, the efficiency of the fuel cell system 10 can be improved with a simple configuration. Note that, although the orifice OF is provided in the reflux piping 63 in this embodiment, a solenoid valve may also be provided.

[0024] Furthermore, the condensed water obtained by condensing the water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas in the condenser 62 is supplied to a condensed water tank 66 through a condensed water pipe 68 branching off from the fuel off-gas pipe 61 at a branch point J2, and is stored in the condensed water tank 66. A drain valve 67 is attached to the outlet of the condensed water tank 66, and the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 66 is discharged to the outside by opening the drain valve 67.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 8, in this embodiment, the branch point J1 is formed above the branch point J2. The fuel blower 43, the orifice OF, and the combustion gas inlet CI of the power generation module 30 are located above the branch point J1, and the condensed water tank 66 is located below the branch point J2. The fuel off-gas pipe 61 extends upward from the branch point J2 and branches into a return pipe 63 and a combustion gas pipe 64 at the branch point J1. The return pipe 63 is connected to the fuel gas pipe 41 above the branch point J1 via the orifice OF, and the combustion gas pipe 64 is connected to the combustion gas inlet CI located above the branch point J1. Meanwhile, the condensed water pipe 68 extends downward from the branch point J2 and is connected to the condensed water tank 66 installed at the bottom of the fuel cell unit 20. This allows liquid condensed water to easily flow from the fuel off-gas piping 61 to the condensed water piping 68, and also allows gaseous fuel off-gas to easily flow from the fuel off-gas piping 61 to the return piping 63 and the combustion gas piping 64. As a result, water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas can be effectively removed and the fuel off-gas can be returned to the fuel cell stack 31, further improving the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 31.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 , the condensed water tank subassemblies 65 (condensed water tanks 66 and drain valves 67) of the multiple circulation systems 60 are collectively installed in a space at the bottom of the frame 21 defined below the vertically arranged multiple fuel supply systems 40 (fuel blower subassemblies 42). In this embodiment, the condensed water tank subassemblies 65 are installed side by side (horizontally) below the vertically arranged multiple fuel supply systems 40 (fuel blower subassemblies 42). This allows the multiple condensed water tank subassemblies 65 to be compactly arranged in a limited space, thereby further miniaturizing the fuel cell unit 20. As shown in FIG. 12 , each condensed water tank subassembly 65 is attached to a bracket 69, which is fixed to the lowest beam of the frame 21 with bolts. The condensed water tank subassemblies 65 can be attached and detached to the frame 21 with bolts, thereby further improving maintainability.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9 , the exhaust heat recovery system 70 includes a plurality of flue gas pipes 72, each connected at one end to a flue gas outlet EX formed in the corresponding power generation module 30 (module case 35), and an exhaust gas heat exchanger 71 connected to the other ends of the plurality of flue gas pipes 72. The exhaust gas heat exchanger 71 is installed below the plurality of fuel supply systems 40 and above the plurality of condensate tank subassemblies 65. The flue gas generated by combustion of fuel off-gas in the combustor 32 of each power generation module 30 passes through a flue gas flow path in each power generation module 30, is discharged from the flue gas outlet EX to each flue gas pipe 72, and is introduced into the exhaust gas heat exchanger 71 via each flue gas pipe 72. The flue gas then exchanges heat with a heat exchange medium in the exhaust gas heat exchanger 71, and is then discharged to the outside air through an exhaust gas collection pipe. Although not shown, the exhaust gas collecting pipe extends in the arrangement direction of the multiple fuel cell units 20 that make up the fuel cell system 10, collects the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust gas heat exchanger 71 of each fuel cell unit 20, and discharges it to the outside air. The heat recovered through heat exchange with the heat exchange medium is supplied to heat utilization equipment installed in a factory or the like. In this embodiment, the combustion exhaust gas outlet EX is formed on the same side (front surface) as the side surface on which the fuel gas inlet GI and combustion gas inlet CI of the power generation module 30 (module case 35) are formed.

[0028] An electronic control unit 80 for each fuel cell unit 20 is provided for each power generation module 30 to control the operation of the corresponding fuel cell stack 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic control units 80 are collectively installed at one end of the fuel cell units 20 in the arrangement direction (left-right direction). Each electronic control unit 80 is configured as a microprocessor centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, has ROM, RAM, input / output ports, etc. Detection signals from the flow sensor 45 of the corresponding fuel supply system 40, the flow sensor 55 of the corresponding oxidant supply system 50, etc. are input to the electronic control unit 80 via an input port. Meanwhile, the electronic control unit 80 outputs control signals to the fuel blower 43 of the corresponding fuel supply system 40, the air blower 53 of the corresponding oxidant supply system 50, the drain valve 67 of the corresponding circulation system 60, etc. via an output port.

[0029] In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 20 has a plurality (M) of fuel cell stacks 31 connected in series, and the fuel cell system 10 has a plurality (N) of fuel cell units 20 connected in series such that each fuel cell stack 31 is connected in series between the plurality of fuel cell units 20. As a result, the fuel cell system 10 has N×M fuel cell stacks 31 connected in series, thereby enabling a large power generation output. Therefore, the fuel cell system 10 can meet various power generation output requirements simply by changing the number of connected fuel cell units 20. Furthermore, the fuel cell unit 20 includes a plurality of sets of power generation modules 30 (fuel cell stacks 31), fuel supply systems 40 (fuel blower subassemblies 42), oxidant supply systems 50 (air blower subassemblies 52), and circulation systems 60 (condenser 62 and condensed water tank subassemblies 65), each of which has the same configuration. This allows the individual sizes of the components (auxiliaries) to be reduced, making it possible to accommodate them in the limited space of the fuel cell unit 20. As a result, the fuel cell system 10 can be made more compact while still supporting a large power generation output. Furthermore, costs can be significantly reduced through mass production.

[0030] As described above, the multiple power generation modules 30 housed in one fuel cell unit 20 are arranged side by side in one direction (vertically), and the multiple fuel supply systems 40 (fuel blower subassemblies 42) are arranged facing the corresponding power generation modules 30. Therefore, the same fuel gas piping 41, the same fuel off-gas piping 61, the same return piping 63, etc. can be used for each power generation module 30. This allows the piping length of the return piping 63, the piping length of the fuel off-gas piping 61, and the piping length of the fuel gas piping 41 downstream of the fuel blower 43 to be the same for each power generation module 30, thereby enabling the pressure and flow rate of the gas flowing through the fuel supply line (fuel gas piping 41, fuel off-gas piping 61, and return piping 63) to be the same. As a result, the specifications of each component of the fuel supply system 40 can be made the same, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, each electronic control unit 80 does not need to individually adjust control logic or parameters for each power generation module 30, making control easier. Furthermore, the air blower subassemblies 52 of the multiple oxidant supply systems 50 and the condensed water tank subassemblies 65 of the multiple circulation systems 60 are installed together in the empty space at the bottom of the frame 21, thereby reducing dead space and making the fuel cell unit 20 more compact.

[0031] Furthermore, because hydrogen gas is used as the fuel gas, the power generation module 30 does not require a reformer for reforming (steam reforming) the raw fuel gas (natural gas or LP gas) or a supply of water (steam). In this embodiment, the fuel off-gas from the anode outlet is passed through a condenser 62 outside the power generation module 30 to remove at least a portion of the water vapor contained in the fuel off-gas before being returned to the fuel supply system 40 (fuel gas piping 41), thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 31. Furthermore, the remainder of the fuel off-gas from which at least a portion of the water vapor has been removed is supplied to the combustor 32, thereby further improving the combustibility of the fuel off-gas in the combustor 32. As a result, the efficiency of the entire system can be improved.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of power generation modules 30 included in the fuel cell unit 20 are arranged in a vertical line, but may also be arranged in a horizontal line.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, the multiple fuel supply systems 40 (fuel blower subassemblies 42) provided in the fuel cell unit 20 are installed so as to face the corresponding power generation modules 30. However, the multiple fuel supply systems 40 may be installed in positions that form pairs with the corresponding power generation modules 30, and may be, for example, above or below the power generation modules 30. However, it is desirable that the multiple fuel supply systems 40 be installed near the corresponding power generation modules 30 to facilitate piping arrangement, etc.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, the oxidant supply system 50 (air blower subassembly 52) is installed in the empty space below the power generation module 30. However, the oxidant supply system 50 may be installed in any empty space within the frame 21. For example, the oxidant supply system 50 (air blower subassembly 52) may be installed so as to face the power generation module 30 on the opposite side from the fuel supply system 40. In this case, the air inlet AI may be formed on the surface of the power generation module 30 (module case 35) that faces the oxidant supply system 50.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell system 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of fuel cell units 20 having the same configuration, but it may also be configured by a single fuel cell unit 20.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the multiple fuel cell units 20 included in the fuel cell system 10 are connected in series, but they may also be connected in parallel. That is, the multiple fuel cell units 20 may be linked together so that the multiple fuel cell stacks 31 connected in series within the fuel cell unit 20 are connected in parallel between the fuel cell units 20. In this case, repairs and inspections can be performed on each fuel cell unit 20 while the fuel cell system 10 is operating. For example, if one of the fuel cell units 20 fails, the failed fuel cell unit 20 can be isolated from the fuel cell system 10, and the fuel cell system 10 can continue to operate.

[0037] A large-scale system may also be configured in which multiple fuel cell systems 10 are connected. In this case, the multiple fuel cell systems 10 may be connected in series. That is, the multiple fuel cell systems 10 may be connected such that the fuel cell stacks 31 connected in series between the fuel cell units 20 are further connected in series between the fuel cell systems 10. In this case, if the number of fuel cell stacks 31 included in one fuel cell unit 20 is M, the number of fuel cell units 20 included in one fuel cell system 10 is N, and the number of connected fuel cell systems 10 is L, then M×N×L fuel cell stacks 31 will be connected in series, thereby meeting the demand for even greater power generation output. Furthermore, the multiple fuel cell systems 10 included in the large-scale system may be connected in parallel. In this case, just like a fuel cell system 10 including multiple fuel cell units 20 connected in parallel, repairs and inspections can be performed on each fuel cell system 10 while the large-scale system is operating.

[0038] The above describes the forms for implementing the present disclosure using embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments in any way, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present disclosure is applicable to the fuel cell system manufacturing industry and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 fuel supply source (hydrogen supply source), 10 fuel cell system, 30 power generation module, 31 fuel cell stack, 35 module case, 40 fuel supply system, 41 fuel gas piping (fuel supply line), 43 fuel blower, 50 oxidizer supply system, 51 air piping (oxidizer supply line), 52 oxidizer blower (air blower), GI fuel gas inlet, AI air inlet (oxidizer gas inlet), FO fuel off-gas outlet.

Claims

1. a power generation module having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the power generation module including a fuel cell stack that generates power using a fuel gas supplied to an anode and an oxidant gas supplied to a cathode, and a heat-insulating module case that houses the fuel cell stack, the module case having a fuel gas inlet connected to an inlet of the anode, a fuel off-gas outlet connected to an outlet of the anode, and an oxidant gas inlet connected to an inlet of the cathode; a fuel supply system including a fuel supply line connected to a fuel gas inlet of the power generation module and a fuel blower provided in the fuel supply line; an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to an oxidant gas inlet of the power generation module; Equipped with the fuel gas inlet and the fuel off-gas outlet are located on the same surface of the power generation module; The fuel supply system is installed to face the same surface. Fuel cell system.

2. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, a plurality of the power generation modules, a plurality of the fuel supply systems, and a plurality of the oxidant supply systems are provided; the plurality of power generation modules are arranged in a predetermined direction, the fuel gas inlet and the fuel off-gas outlet are formed on a surface of the power generation module that is perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the plurality of fuel supply systems are installed so as to face the surfaces of the corresponding power generation modules on which the fuel gas inlets and the fuel off-gas outlets are formed, Fuel cell system.

3. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, the oxidant supply system includes an oxidant supply line connected to an oxidant gas inlet of the power generation module, and an oxidant blower provided in the oxidant supply line; the oxidant gas inlet is located on the same surface of the power generation module; the oxidant supply system is installed to face a surface different from the same surface of the power generation module; Fuel cell system.

4. 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, a plurality of the power generation modules, a plurality of the fuel supply systems, and a plurality of the oxidant supply systems are provided; the plurality of power generation modules are arranged in a predetermined direction, the plurality of oxidant supply systems are installed to face the plurality of power generation modules in the predetermined direction. Fuel cell system.

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