Fuel cell module, fuel cell module unit, and fuel cell system

Abstract

To recover the generated heat more effectively. [Solution] The fuel cell module 10 has a first housing 15, a fuel cell 16, and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage 17. The fuel cell 16 is located inside the first housing 15. The fuel cell 16 generates electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage 17 has a first oxygen-containing gas passage 21 and a second oxygen-containing gas passage 22. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage 17 supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 16. The first oxygen-containing gas passage 21 is located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16. The second oxygen-containing gas passage 22 is close to the fuel cell 16. The second oxygen-containing gas passage 22 communicates with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas passage 21. The first housing 15 has an exhaust port ep outside the area of ​​the first oxygen-containing gas passage 21 when viewed from a first direction. The exhaust port ep discharges exhaust gas from the fuel cell 16.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell module, a fuel cell module unit, and a fuel cell device.

Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells that generate electricity using hydrogen as a reaction source are known. In fuel cells, it is known to operate at high temperatures, such as solid oxide fuel cells. In such fuel cells, the power generation efficiency increases when the temperature of the supplied fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas is high. Also, in fuel cells, the temperature of the fuel cell itself during power generation and the unreacted gas discharged is relatively high. Therefore, it has been proposed to appropriately use the surplus heat after power generation in fuel cells (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the reuse of heat in fuel cells.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell module, a fuel cell module unit, and a fuel cell device that can more appropriately recover the generated heat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A fuel cell module according to a first aspect is a first housing, a fuel cell located within the first housing that generates electricity using an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas, The system comprises a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell. The first housing has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell, located outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction.

[0007] From a second perspective, the fuel cell module unit is: A fuel cell module comprising a first housing, a fuel cell located within the first housing and generating electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, wherein the first housing has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction, The device comprises a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, and a waste heat utilization unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively.

[0008] From a third perspective, the fuel cell module unit is: The device comprises a first housing, a fuel cell located within the first housing and generating electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, wherein the first housing has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction, the oxygen-containing gas supply path includes a third oxygen-containing gas flow path along the side wall of the first housing on the second direction side that communicates with the first oxygen-containing gas flow path on the third direction side perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and the exhaust port is located on the opposite side of the third direction to the fuel cell module, A heat recovery unit having a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, and which exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively, The system comprises a third exhaust gas passage through which the exhaust gas passing through the first exhaust gas passage flows, The third oxygen-containing gas passage and the third exhaust gas passage face each other.

[0009] From the fourth perspective, fuel cell devices are: A plurality of fuel cell modules comprising a first housing, a fuel cell located within the first housing and generating electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, wherein the first housing has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction, The fuel cell module is located in a first direction and comprises a waste heat utilization unit that utilizes the heat of the exhaust gas, The waste heat utilization section spans at least a portion of the plurality of fuel cell modules.

[0010] From the fifth perspective, the fuel cell device is The device comprises a first housing, a fuel cell located within the first housing and generating electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, wherein the first housing comprises a plurality of fuel cell modules having exhaust ports for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the fuel cell module, fuel cell module unit, and fuel cell device described above, the heat generated is recovered more effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic external perspective view of a fuel cell module unit including a fuel cell module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the fuel cell module unit. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the arrangement of internal components of the fuel cell module, viewed from a third direction. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a top view of the fuel cell module as seen from a first direction, showing the positional relationship between the exhaust port and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path in the fuel cell module. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection configuration of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path and the third oxygen-containing gas flow path. [Figure 6] This is a view from a third direction of the arrangement of internal components in a modified version of the fuel cell module shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the waste heat utilization section in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] It is an external perspective view showing the external configuration of the waste heat utilization section in FIG. 2 together with the fuel cell module. [Figure 9] It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the medium vaporization section in FIG. 2 together with the waste heat utilization section. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell device composed of the fuel cell module in FIG. 3. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell device composed of the fuel cell module unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 12] It is an external perspective view showing an overview of a fuel cell module unit including a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell module unit in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] It is a view of the arrangement of the components inside the fuel cell module in FIG. 13 as seen from a third direction. <着

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of a power generation unit to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell module unit 11 including a fuel cell module 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fuel cell module 10 and a waste heat utilization section 12. The fuel cell module unit 11 may further include a medium vaporization section 13 and a third medium flow path 14. The waste heat utilization section 12 is located in a first direction from the fuel cell module 10. The medium vaporization section 13 may be located in the first direction from the waste heat utilization section 12. The first direction is a direction assumed to be directed vertically upward when the fuel cell module unit 11 is installed.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the fuel cell module 10 comprises a first housing 15, a fuel cell 16, and an oxygen-containing gas supply line 17. The fuel cell module 10 may further comprise a reformer 18.

[0016] The first housing 15 houses the fuel cell 16 and at least a portion of the oxygen-containing gas supply line 17. The first housing 15 may further house a reformer 18. The first housing 15 may have an exhaust port ep on the first direction side. The position of the exhaust port ep as viewed from the first direction will be described later.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the first housing 15 may be a rectangular parallelepiped overall. Two faces of the rectangular parallelepiped first housing 15 may be perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, two other faces of the first housing 15 may be perpendicular to a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, two other faces of the first housing 15 may be perpendicular to a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the fuel cell 16 is housed in the first housing 15, as described above. In other words, the fuel cell 16 is located inside the first housing 15. The fuel cell 16 may be a cell stack formed by stacking fuel cell cells. The fuel cell 16 may include multiple cell stacks. As shown in Figure 3, at least two rows of fuel cell stacks 19 may be arranged side by side in the second direction. The fuel cell stacks 19 may be erected on a manifold 20 provided on the opposite side of the first direction.

[0019] A fuel cell is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas contained in the air. The fuel gas may be hydrogen, as will be described later.

[0020] The fuel cell 16 emits exhaust gas containing at least unreacted fuel gas, unreacted oxygen-containing gas, and water vapor. The exhaust gas flows through the first housing 15 and is discharged from the exhaust port ep. Since fuel cells, for example in SOFCs, operate at high temperatures of 700°C or higher, the exhaust gas is also hot. Therefore, components located in the region where the exhaust gas flows may be heated by the exhaust gas.

[0021] The oxygen-containing gas supply channel 17 supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 16. As shown in Figure 3, the oxygen-containing gas supply channel 17 has a first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22. The oxygen-containing gas supply channel 17 may further have a third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 and a fourth oxygen-containing gas flow path 24.

[0022] The first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 is located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16. The first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may be a rectangular, flat member with an internal cavity. The first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may be positioned such that its main surface is perpendicular to the first direction. The main surface refers to the surface with the largest area.

[0023] The first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may extend in the second direction from one inner wall surface of the first housing 15 to a position between the two rows of fuel cell stacks 19. That is, the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 does not have to extend from one inner wall surface to the other inner wall surface of the first housing 15. In other words, there may be a region on the surface of the first housing 15 in the first direction where the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 is not provided. As shown in Figure 4, the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may have approximately the same length as the inner wall iw of the first housing 15 in the third direction.

[0024] Viewed from the first direction, the exhaust port ep is located outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 in the first housing 15. The exhaust port ep may be located on the opposite side of the third direction.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 is close to the fuel cell 16. The second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 communicates with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 18. The second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 may communicate with the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 at its end on the first direction side. The second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 may be located between two rows of fuel cell cell stacks 19 aligned in the second direction.

[0026] The second oxygen-containing gas channel 22 may be a rectangular, flat member having an internal cavity. The second oxygen-containing gas channel 22 may be positioned so that its main surface is perpendicular to the second direction. The second oxygen-containing gas channel 22 may have the same width as or less than the width of the first oxygen-containing gas channel 21 in the third direction.

[0027] The third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 may be located along the side wall of the first housing 15 on the second direction side. The third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 may be located inside the first housing 15. Alternatively, the third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 may be located outside the first housing 15. In the following specification and drawings, a configuration in which the third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 is located inside the first housing 15 will be described.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 may communicate with the first oxygen-containing gas channel 21 on the third direction side. Specifically, an opening op1 formed on the third direction side on the second direction side surface of the first oxygen-containing gas channel 21 may be connected to an opening op2 formed on the third direction side within the first direction end on the opposite side of the second direction side surface of the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the fourth oxygen-containing gas flow path 24 may be located on the opposite side of the first direction from the fuel cell 16. The fourth oxygen-containing gas flow path 24 may communicate with the third oxygen-containing gas flow path 23 on the second direction side. In addition, the fourth oxygen-containing gas flow path 24 may have an inlet formed on the opposite side of the second direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the reformer 18 may be located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16. As shown in Figure 2, the reformer 18 may have a vaporization section 25 and a reforming section 26. In the reformer 18, the vaporization section 25 and the reforming section 26 may be formed by separating them with an inner wall. In the first embodiment, the reformer 18 may have a U-shape. The U-shaped reformer 18 may be located so as to straddle the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22.

[0031] The vaporization unit 25 may vaporize the supplied water by exchanging heat with the high-temperature exhaust gas flowing around the reformer 18. In a configuration in the fuel cell 16 where unreacted fuel gas is burned, the supplied water may be vaporized using the heat of combustion. The vaporization unit 25 may be located between a part of the fuel cell 16 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21. The part of the fuel cell 16 that sandwiches the vaporization unit 25 between the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may be a fuel cell cell stack 19 located on the second direction side. In such a configuration, the reforming unit 26 may be located in the opposite direction from the exhaust port ep to the first direction. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the vaporization unit 25 may be located in the opposite direction from the exhaust port ep to the first direction. In such a configuration, the reforming unit 26 may be located between a part of the fuel cell 16 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21.

[0032] The reforming section 26 may be supplied with raw fuel gas via the vaporization section 25. The raw fuel gas may include, for example, light hydrocarbons such as methane. The raw fuel gas may be a gas containing hydrogen and organic compounds sent from the waste heat utilization section 12, which will be described later. The organic compounds may include dehydrogenated products and unreacted organic hydrides. Alternatively, city gas may be used as the raw fuel gas. Hereinafter, this specification will describe a configuration in which the gas sent from the waste heat utilization section 12 is used as the raw fuel gas.

[0033] The reforming unit 26 may house a reforming catalyst. The reforming unit 26 may produce hydrogen, which is fuel gas, by steam reforming organic compounds in the raw fuel gas using water vaporized in the vaporization unit 25. The heat required for the steam reforming reaction in the reforming unit 26 may be supplied by heat exchange with exhaust gas flowing around the reforming unit 26. In a configuration in the fuel cell 16 where unreacted fuel gas is burned, the heat required for the reforming unit 26 may be supplied using combustion heat. The hydrogen supplied to the reforming unit 26 may be discharged as is. Hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and unreacted water vapor may be discharged from the reforming unit 26. The fuel gas produced by the reforming unit 26 may be supplied to the fuel cell 16.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the waste heat utilization unit 12 is located in a first direction from the first housing 15. As shown in Figure 7, the waste heat utilization unit 12 has a first exhaust gas flow path 27 and a first medium flow path 28. The first exhaust gas flow path 27 is in communication with the exhaust port ep. Therefore, exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 16 may flow through the first exhaust gas flow path 27. The first medium flows into the first medium flow path 28. The first medium is any fluid that requires heating. The first medium is, for example, an organic hydride. An organic hydride is an organic compound that can reversibly release hydrogen, such as methylcyclohexane, cyclohexane, or decalin. In a configuration in which the waste heat utilization unit 12 functions as an arbitrary reactor, as will be described later, the reaction product is also referred to as the first medium in this specification.

[0035] The waste heat utilization unit 12 exchanges heat between the exhaust gas flowing through the first exhaust gas flow path 27 and the first medium flowing through the first medium flow path 28. Specifically, the waste heat utilization unit 12 has a second housing 29 and at least one cylindrical member 30. The waste heat utilization unit 12 may further have an exhaust gas inlet 31 and an exhaust gas outlet 32, and a medium inlet 33 and a medium outlet 34.

[0036] The second housing 29 may communicate with the exhaust port ep at the exhaust gas inlet 31. The cylindrical member 30 may be provided inside the second housing 29. The inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 may define the first medium flow path 28. The inner surface of the second housing 29 and the outer surface of the cylindrical member 27 may define the first exhaust gas flow path 27.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, the heat dissipation section 12 may have a bent shape, such as a U-shape. When viewed from the first direction, the heat dissipation section 12 may extend from the exhaust port ep in a third direction and be folded back to the opposite side of the third direction near the end of the first housing 15 on the third direction side.

[0038] The waste heat utilization unit 12 may be any device that heats the first medium using exhaust gas. The waste heat utilization unit 12 may, for example, generate hydrogen, which will be used as fuel for a fuel cell, by a dehydrogenation reaction of an organic hydride using the heat of the exhaust gas. In a configuration in which the waste heat utilization unit 12 performs a dehydrogenation reaction of an organic hydride, a raw fuel gas containing hydrogen, dehydrogenated product, and unreacted organic hydride may be discharged from the waste heat utilization unit 12. In a configuration in which the waste heat utilization unit 12 performs a dehydrogenation reaction of an organic hydride, the cylindrical member 27 into which the first medium flows may contain a dehydrogenation catalyst.

[0039] In a configuration where the waste heat utilization unit 12 performs the dehydrogenation reaction of organic hydrides, a gas-liquid separator may be placed outside the fuel cell module unit 11. The gas-liquid separator may recover the dehydrogenated product generated by the dehydrogenation reaction. The gas, such as hydrogen, separated by the gas-liquid separator may be sent to the vaporization unit 25.

[0040] The waste heat utilization unit 12 is not limited to a dehydrogenator and may have other functions. For example, the waste heat utilization unit 12 may function as a reformer that generates hydrogen, a fuel gas, from light hydrocarbons by housing a reforming catalyst.

[0041] The waste heat utilization section 12 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 may overlap in at least a portion when viewed from the first direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the medium vaporization unit 13 may be located in close proximity to the waste heat utilization unit 12 in the fuel cell module unit 11. The medium vaporization unit 13 may exchange heat between the exhaust gas discharged from the waste heat utilization unit 12 and a second medium. The second medium is any fluid that requires heating. In a configuration where the waste heat utilization unit 12 is a dehydrogenator, the second medium may be the first medium supplied to the first medium flow path 28, or in other words, the first medium flowing into the first medium flow path 28. However, unlike the first medium flowing out of the first medium flow path 28, the second medium does not contain reaction products in the waste heat utilization unit 12.

[0043] The media vaporization section 13 may specifically have a second media flow path through which the second media flows, and a second exhaust gas flow path through which the exhaust gas flows. The second media flow path and the second exhaust gas flow path may face each other. With such a configuration, the media vaporization section 13 may function as a heat exchanger.

[0044] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the media vaporization section 13 may be composed of a first plate portion 35, a second plate portion 36, and a third plate portion 37. A meandering first groove gr1 may be formed on one main surface of the first plate portion 35. The second plate portion 36 may have a shape symmetrical to the first plate portion 35. In other words, the second plate portion 36 may have a second groove gr2 that is symmetrical to the first groove gr1. The third plate portion 37 may be a flat plate with flat surfaces on both sides.

[0045] The media vaporization section 13 may be formed by sandwiching a third plate section 37 between a first plate section 35 and a second plate section 36, with surfaces facing each other where the first groove gr1 and the second groove gr2 are formed. In this way, the first groove gr1 and the first plate section 35 may define a second exhaust gas flow path 38. Furthermore, the second groove gr2 and the third plate section 37 may define a second media flow path 39.

[0046] The media vaporization section 13 may be larger than the waste heat utilization section 12 when viewed from the first direction. The media vaporization section 13 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path may overlap in at least part when viewed from the first direction.

[0047] The second exhaust gas passage 38 may communicate with the first exhaust gas passage 27 via the exhaust gas outlet 32. In a configuration where the waste heat utilization section 12 is a dehydrogenator, the second media passage 39 may communicate with the first media passage 28 via the media inlet 33.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the third medium channel 14 may communicate with the first medium channel 28. The first medium flowing out of the first medium channel 28 may flow through the third medium channel 14. The third medium channel 14 may face the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23. In other words, the third medium channel 14 may together with the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 to constitute a heat exchanger 40. The structure of the heat exchanger 40 may be similar to that of the medium vaporization section 13, formed by sandwiching a flat plate between two plates with meandering grooves formed on them. In a configuration where the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 is located inside the first housing 15, the third medium channel 14 may be located inside the first housing 15. Alternatively, in a configuration where the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 is located outside the first housing 15, the third medium channel 14 may be located outside the first housing 15.

[0049] The fuel cell module 10 described above may constitute a fuel cell device 41, as shown in Figure 10. The fuel cell device 41 may consist of a plurality of fuel cell modules 10 and a waste heat utilization unit 12. The waste heat utilization unit 12 may be located in a first direction from the fuel cell module 10. The waste heat utilization unit 12 may utilize the heat of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 10. The waste heat utilization unit 12 may span at least a portion of the plurality of fuel cell modules 10.

[0050] Alternatively, the fuel cell module unit 11 described above may constitute a fuel cell device 42, as shown in Figure 11. The fuel cell device 42 may be composed of a plurality of fuel cell module units 11.

[0051] The fuel cell module 10 of the first embodiment, having the configuration described above, comprises a first housing 15, a fuel cell 16 located inside the first housing 15 that generates electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16, and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 that is close to the fuel cell 16 and communicates with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path 17 that supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 16. The first housing 15 has an exhaust port ep for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell 16 outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 when viewed from the first direction. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 10 can improve thermal efficiency and energy efficiency because the exhaust gas flowing to the exhaust port ep is a counterflow against the flow of oxygen-containing gas in the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22, which is required to be supplied to the fuel cell 16 at a high temperature. Therefore, the fuel cell module 10 can recover the generated heat more appropriately.

[0052] Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 10 of the first embodiment, the fuel cell 16 has at least two rows of fuel cell stacks 19 arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 is located between the two rows of fuel cell stacks 19. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 10 does not have a first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 located between at least one fuel cell stack 19 and the exhaust port ep, so it can discharge relatively high-temperature exhaust gas from the exhaust port ep. Therefore, the fuel cell module 10 can provide exhaust gas that can be used as a heat source of high utility value to external devices, etc. Also, with the above configuration, the fuel cell module 10 can heat the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 with Joule heat emitted from the fuel cell stacks 19, thereby improving power generation efficiency.

[0053] Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 10 of the first embodiment, the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 17 has a third oxygen-containing gas passage 23 along the side wall on the second direction side of the first housing 15, which communicates with the first oxygen-containing gas passage 21 on the third direction side perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and the exhaust port ep is located on the opposite side of the third direction. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 10 can increase the distance between the exhaust gas emitted from the fuel cell 16 and the surface used for heat exchange, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the oxygen-containing gas.

[0054] Furthermore, the fuel cell module 10 of the first embodiment further includes a reformer 18 located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16, which has a vaporization section 25 that vaporizes water and a reforming section 26 that uses the water vaporized in the vaporization section 25 to reform the raw fuel gas and generate fuel gas. The vaporization section 25 is located between a part of the fuel cell 16 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 10 can improve reforming efficiency because the vaporization section 25, which has a large heat absorption capacity, is located between the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 and the fuel cell 16, making it easier to heat up with exhaust gas.

[0055] Furthermore, the fuel cell module 10 of the first embodiment further includes a reformer 18 located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16, which has a vaporization unit 25 that vaporizes water and a reforming unit 26 that uses the water vaporized in the vaporization unit 25 to reform the raw fuel gas and generate fuel gas, with the vaporization unit 25 located in the opposite direction from the exhaust port ep to the first direction. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 10 can reduce the temperature difference between the fuel cell cell stacks 19 compared to a configuration in which the vaporization unit 25 is located on the second direction side of the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22, and thus can improve power generation efficiency.

[0056] The fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment includes a fuel cell module 10 and a waste heat utilization unit 12 that has a first exhaust gas flow path 27 located in a first direction from the first housing 15 and communicating with an exhaust port ep, and a first medium flow path 28 into which a first medium flows, and that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas flowing in the first exhaust gas flow path 27 and the first medium flow path 28, respectively. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 has the waste heat utilization unit 12 located outside the fuel cell module 10, so the entire waste heat utilization unit 12 is not exposed to a high-temperature environment, which can improve the durability of the waste heat utilization unit 12. In addition, the fuel cell module unit 11 can utilize the heat of the exhaust gas.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the fuel cell module unit 11 has a waste heat utilization section 12 which includes a second housing 29 communicating with an exhaust port ep and at least one cylindrical member 30 provided inside the second housing 29. The inner surface of the cylindrical member 30 defines a first medium flow path 28, and the inner surface of the second housing 29 and the outer surface of the cylindrical member 30 define a first exhaust gas flow path 27. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 can transfer heat to the first medium flowing inside by exhaust gas flowing around the cylindrical member 30.

[0058] In the fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment, the cylindrical member 30 houses the catalyst. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 can make the cylindrical member 30 function as a reactor that generates an endothermic reaction.

[0059] The fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment further includes a medium vaporization unit 13 that exchanges heat between exhaust gas discharged from the waste heat utilization unit 12 and a second medium. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 can further use the exhaust gas that has undergone heat exchange in the waste heat utilization unit 12 for vaporizing the medium. The heat required for heat exchange is greater in the waste heat utilization unit 12 than in the medium vaporization unit 13. Therefore, the fuel cell module unit 11 can further improve its overall thermal efficiency by exchanging heat between the exhaust gas discharged from the waste heat utilization unit 12 and the second medium.

[0060] In the fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment, the medium vaporization section 13 has a second medium flow path 39 through which the second medium flows and a second exhaust gas flow path 38 through which the exhaust gas flows, facing each other. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 can promote the vaporization of the second medium.

[0061] The fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment further includes a third medium channel 14 through which the first medium flowing out of the first medium channel 28 flows, and the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 and the third medium channel 14 face each other. With this configuration, the third medium and the third oxygen-containing gas flow in opposite directions, creating a counterflow, which makes it easier to heat the third oxygen-containing gas channel 23 with the heat from the third medium channel 14, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell module unit 11.

[0062] In the fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment, the waste heat utilization section 12 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 overlap in at least part when viewed from a first direction. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 utilizes the heat from the waste heat utilization section 12 in the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21, making it easier to raise the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas. Therefore, the fuel cell module unit 11 improves power generation efficiency.

[0063] In the fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment, the medium vaporization section 13 is larger than the waste heat utilization section 12 when viewed from the first direction. In a configuration where the entire medium vaporization section 13 overlaps the waste heat utilization section 12, there is a possibility of sudden boiling due to a rapid rise in the temperature of the supplied medium. On the other hand, in the fuel cell module unit 11 having the above configuration, a part of the medium vaporization section 13 protrudes outside the waste heat utilization section 12 when viewed from the first direction, so a rapid rise in the temperature of the medium is suppressed, and the possibility of sudden boiling can be reduced.

[0064] In the fuel cell module unit 11 of the first embodiment, the medium vaporization section 13 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 overlap in at least a portion when viewed from a first direction. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 can suppress a rapid rise in the temperature of the medium in that portion of the medium vaporization section 13, thereby reducing the possibility of the medium boiling. Furthermore, with this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 11 utilizes the heat from the medium vaporization section 13 in the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21, making it easier to raise the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas. Therefore, the fuel cell module unit 11 improves power generation efficiency.

[0065] Next, a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the vaporizer, the heating medium in the vaporization section, and the heating medium for the oxygen-containing gas in the third oxygen-containing gas flow path differ from those of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that parts having the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0066] As shown in Figure 12, a fuel cell module unit 110 including a fuel cell module 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is configured similarly to the first embodiment, including a fuel cell module 100 and a waste heat utilization unit 12. The fuel cell module unit 11 may further include a medium vaporization unit 130 and a third exhaust gas flow path 430. The configuration of the waste heat utilization unit 12 is the same as in the first embodiment. The medium vaporization unit 13 may be located in a first direction from the waste heat utilization unit 12, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0067] As shown in Figure 13, the fuel cell module 100 is configured similarly to the first embodiment, including a first housing 150, a fuel cell 16, and an oxygen-containing gas supply line 170. The fuel cell module 10 may further include a vaporization unit 250 and a reforming unit 260. Unlike the first embodiment, the vaporization unit 250 and the reforming unit 260 are not integrated into a single container, but may be housed as separate containers in the first housing 150. The configuration and function of the fuel cell 16 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0068] The first housing 150, similar to the first embodiment, houses the fuel cell 16 and at least a portion of the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 170. The first housing 15 may further house the reforming section 260. The first housing 150 may have an exhaust port ep on the first direction side, similar to the first embodiment. The position of the exhaust port ep as viewed from the first direction is the same as in the first embodiment. The shape of the first housing 150 may be a rectangular parallelepiped overall, similar to the first embodiment. The normal directions of each face defining the rectangular parallelepiped shape may be the same as in the first embodiment.

[0069] The oxygen-containing gas supply channel 170 supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 16, as in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the oxygen-containing gas supply channel 170 has a first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22, as in the first embodiment. The oxygen-containing gas supply channel 17 may further have a third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230, similar to the first embodiment. The configuration and function of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 and the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0070] The third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230 may be located along the side wall on the second direction side of the first housing 150, similar to the first embodiment. The third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230 may be located inside the first housing 150, similar to the first embodiment. Alternatively, the third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230 may be located outside the first housing 150, similar to the first embodiment.

[0071] The third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230 may communicate with the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 on the third direction side, similar to the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the third oxygen-containing gas flow path 230 may have an inlet formed on the opposite side of the first direction. In a configuration in which the waste heat utilization unit 12 performs a dehydrogenation reaction of organic hydrides, a gas-liquid separator may be located outside the fuel cell module unit 110. In the gas-liquid separator, the dehydrogenated product obtained by the dehydrogenation reaction may be recovered. The hydrogen separated by the gas-liquid separator may be sent to the vaporization unit 250.

[0072] As shown in Figure 14, the vaporization unit 250 may be located on the side opposite to the first direction from the fuel cell 16. The vaporization unit 250 may be located outside the first housing 150. Alternatively, the vaporization unit 250 may be located inside the first housing 150. In the following specification and drawings, a configuration in which the vaporization unit 250 is located outside the first housing 15 will be described. The vaporization unit 250 may vaporize the supplied water by heat applied from any heating means.

[0073] The reforming unit 260 may be located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16. The reforming unit 260 may be supplied with raw fuel gas and water via the vaporization unit 250, similar to the first embodiment. The reforming unit 260 may house a reforming catalyst, as in the first embodiment. The reforming unit 260 may generate hydrogen, which is fuel gas, by steam reforming organic compounds in the raw fuel gas using water vaporized in the vaporization unit 25, as in the first embodiment.

[0074] The heat required for the steam reforming reaction in the reforming unit 260 may be supplied by heat exchange with the exhaust gas flowing around the reforming unit 260, as in the first embodiment. The fuel gas generated by the reforming unit 260 may be supplied to the fuel cell 16, as in the first embodiment. The reforming unit 260 may be located in the opposite direction from the exhaust port ep to the first direction. With this configuration, the reforming unit 260 is heated by the exhaust gas flowing from the fuel cell 16 to the exhaust port ep, improving the reforming efficiency. The reforming unit 260 may extend further in a second direction from its position opposite the first direction from the exhaust port ep, straddling the portion between the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 and the fuel cell 16. Alternatively, the reforming unit 260 may be located between a part of the fuel cell 16 and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21.

[0075] As shown in Figure 12, the medium vaporization unit 130 may be located in close proximity to the waste heat utilization unit 12 in the fuel cell module unit 11, similar to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, unlike the first embodiment, the medium vaporization unit 130 may exchange heat between the first medium flowing out of the first medium channel 28 and the second medium. The second medium is any fluid that requires heating, as in the first embodiment.

[0076] The media vaporization unit 130 may have a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The media vaporization unit 130 may use the second exhaust gas flow path in the first embodiment as the flow path for the media to flow the first media flowing out of the first media flow path 28. The first media that has passed through the media vaporization unit 130 may be supplied to the vaporization unit 250.

[0077] As shown in Figure 13, exhaust gas that has passed through the first exhaust gas passage 27 of the waste heat utilization section 12 and is flowing out from the exhaust gas outlet 32 ​​may flow through the third exhaust gas passage 430. The third exhaust gas passage 430 may face the third oxygen-containing gas passage 230. In other words, the third exhaust gas passage 430 may together with the third oxygen-containing gas passage 230 to constitute a heat exchanger 440. The structure of the heat exchanger 440 may be similar to that of the heat exchanger 40 in the first embodiment.

[0078] The fuel cell module 100 described above may constitute a fuel cell device 41 in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the fuel cell module unit 11 described above may constitute a fuel cell device 42 in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0079] The fuel cell module 100 of the second embodiment, having the configuration described above, is similar to the first embodiment in that it comprises a first housing 150, a fuel cell 16 located inside the first housing 150 that generates electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, a first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 located in a first direction from the fuel cell 16, and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 that is close to the fuel cell 16 and communicates with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21, and includes an oxygen-containing gas supply path 170 that supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 16. The first housing 150 has an exhaust port ep for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell 16 outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path 21 when viewed from the first direction. Therefore, the fuel cell module 100 can also recover the generated heat more appropriately.

[0080] Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 100 of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell 16 has at least two rows of fuel cell stacks 19 arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 is located between the two rows of fuel cell stacks 19. Therefore, the fuel cell module 100 can also provide exhaust gas that can be used as a heat source of high utility value to external devices, and can improve power generation efficiency.

[0081] Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 100 of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 170 has a third oxygen-containing gas passage 230 along the side wall of the first housing 15 on the second direction side, which communicates with the first oxygen-containing gas passage 21 on the third direction side perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and the exhaust port ep is located on the opposite side of the third direction. Therefore, the fuel cell module 100 can also improve the efficiency of heat exchange between exhaust gas and oxygen-containing gas.

[0082] The fuel cell module 100 of the second embodiment further includes a vaporization unit 250 located in the opposite direction from the fuel cell 16 to the first direction and vaporizing water, and a reforming unit 260 located in the first direction from the fuel cell 16 and reforming the raw fuel gas using the water vaporized in the vaporization unit 250 to generate fuel gas. With this configuration, the fuel cell module 100 can reduce the influence of the vaporization unit 250, which has a large heat absorption capacity, on the temperature distribution to the fuel cell 16.

[0083] The fuel cell module unit 110 of the second embodiment also includes, like the first embodiment, a fuel cell module 100, a first exhaust gas passage 27 located in a first direction from the first housing 150 and communicating with the exhaust port ep, and a first medium passage 28 into which the first medium flows, and a waste heat utilization unit 12 that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas flowing in the first exhaust gas passage 27 and the first medium passage 28, respectively. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 110 can also improve the durability of the waste heat utilization unit 12 and utilize the heat of the exhaust gas.

[0084] The fuel cell module unit 110 of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, has a waste heat utilization section 12 which includes a second housing 29 communicating with an exhaust port ep and at least one cylindrical member 30 provided inside the second housing 29. The inner surface of the cylindrical member 30 defines a first medium flow path 28, and the inner surface of the second housing 29 and the outer surface of the cylindrical member 30 define a first exhaust gas flow path 27. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 110 can also transfer heat to the first medium flowing inside by exhaust gas flowing around the cylindrical member 30.

[0085] In the fuel cell module unit 110 of the second embodiment, the cylindrical member 30 also houses the catalyst. With this configuration, the fuel cell module unit 110 can also have the cylindrical member 30 function as a reactor that generates an endothermic reaction.

[0086] The fuel cell module unit 110 of the second embodiment has a first exhaust gas passage 27 located in a first direction from the first housing 150 and communicating with the exhaust port ep, and a first medium passage 28 into which the first medium flows, and further comprises a waste heat utilization unit 12 that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage 27 and the first medium passage 28, respectively, and a third exhaust gas passage 430 through which the exhaust gas passing through the first exhaust gas passage 27 flows, with the third oxygen-containing gas passage 230 and the third exhaust gas passage 430 facing each other. With this configuration, the heat from the third medium passage 14 makes it easier to heat the third oxygen-containing gas passage 23, which can improve the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell module unit 11.

[0087] In one embodiment, (1) the fuel cell module is The first enclosure and A fuel cell located within the first enclosure generates electricity using an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas, The system comprises a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell. The first housing has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell, located outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path when viewed from the first direction.

[0088] (2) In the fuel cell module described in (1) above, The fuel cell has at least two rows of fuel cell cell stacks arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The second oxygen-containing gas flow path is located between the two rows of fuel cell stacks.

[0089] (3) In the fuel cell module described in (2) above, The oxygen-containing gas supply passage has a third oxygen-containing gas passage that communicates with the first oxygen-containing gas passage on the side wall of the first housing on the second direction side, perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The exhaust port is located on the side opposite to the third direction.

[0090] (4) Any fuel cell module described in (1) to (3) above is: The reformer further comprises a reformer located in the first direction from the fuel cell, having a vaporization section for vaporizing water and a reforming section for reforming the raw fuel gas using the water vaporized in the vaporization section to produce the fuel gas, The vaporization section is located between a part of the fuel cell and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path.

[0091] (5) Any fuel cell module described in (1) to (3) above is: The reformer further comprises a reformer located in the first direction from the fuel cell, having a vaporization section for vaporizing water and a reforming section for reforming the raw fuel gas using the water vaporized in the vaporization section to produce the fuel gas, The vaporization section is located in the opposite direction from the exhaust port to the first direction.

[0092] (6) Any fuel cell module described in (1) to (3) above is: A vaporization unit located in the opposite direction from the first direction of the fuel cell, which vaporizes water, The system further comprises a reforming unit located in the first direction from the fuel cell, which uses the water vaporized in the vaporization unit to reform the raw fuel gas and generate the fuel gas.

[0093] (7) The fuel cell module unit is (1) to (6) any fuel cell module, The device comprises a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, and a waste heat utilization unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively.

[0094] (8) In the fuel cell module unit described in (7) above, The heat dissipation unit comprises a second housing communicating with the exhaust port and at least one cylindrical member provided within the second housing. The inner surface of the cylindrical member defines the first medium flow path, The inner surface of the second housing and the outer surface of the cylindrical member define the first exhaust gas flow path.

[0095] (9) In the fuel cell module unit described in (8) above, The cylindrical member contains the catalyst.

[0096] (10) Any of the fuel cell module units described in (7) to (9) above, The system further includes a medium vaporization unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas discharged from the heat utilization unit and a second medium.

[0097] (11) In the fuel cell module unit of (10) above, The media vaporization unit has a second media flow path through which the second media flows and a second exhaust gas flow path through which the exhaust gas flows, with these two paths facing each other.

[0098] (12) Any fuel cell module unit described in (7) to (11) above is: The system further comprises a third medium channel through which the first medium flowing out of the first medium channel flows, The third oxygen-containing gas channel and the third medium channel face each other.

[0099] (13) The fuel cell module unit is (3) Fuel cell module, A heat recovery unit having a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, and which exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively, The system further comprises a third exhaust gas passage through which the exhaust gas passing through the first exhaust gas passage flows, The third oxygen-containing gas passage and the third exhaust gas passage face each other.

[0100] (14) In any of the fuel cell module units described in (7) to (13) above, Viewed from the first direction, the heat exhaust utilization section and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path overlap in at least part.

[0101] (15) In the fuel cell module unit of (10) or (11) above, Viewed from the first direction, the medium vaporization section is larger than the waste heat utilization section.

[0102] (16) In any of the fuel cell module units described in (10), (11), and (15) above, Viewed from the first direction, the medium vaporization section and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path overlap in at least part.

[0103] (17) Fuel cell devices are (1) to (6) any multiple fuel cell modules, The fuel cell module is located in a first direction and comprises a waste heat utilization unit that utilizes the heat of the exhaust gas, The waste heat utilization section spans at least a portion of the plurality of fuel cell modules.

[0104] (18) Fuel cell devices are (7) to (16) comprises a plurality of fuel cell module units.

[0105] The diagrams illustrating the embodiments described herein are schematic. Dimensions and proportions shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions.

[0106] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions and other elements included in each component can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components can be combined into one or separated.

[0107] All of the constituent elements described in this disclosure, and / or all of the disclosed methods or steps of processing, can be combined in any combination except for any combination in which these features are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, each of the features described in this disclosure can be replaced by an alternative feature that works for the same, equivalent, or similar purposes, unless expressly disregarded. Thus, unless expressly disregarded, each of the disclosed features is merely an example of a comprehensive set of identical or equivalent features.

[0108] Furthermore, the embodiments relating to this disclosure are not limited to any specific configuration of the embodiments described above. The embodiments relating to this disclosure can be extended to all novel features or combinations thereof described herein, or all novel methods or processing steps or combinations thereof described herein.

[0109] In this disclosure, the designations "First," "Second," etc., are identifiers used to distinguish the configurations. Configurations distinguished by the designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure may have their numbers swapped. For example, the first enclosure may swap the identifiers "First" and "Second" with those of the second enclosure. The swapping of identifiers occurs simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguishable even after the swapping of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. Configurations from which identifiers have been deleted are distinguished by codes. The designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure should not be used alone to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of smaller numbered identifiers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 10,100 fuel cell modules 11, 110 Fuel Cell Module Unit 12 Heat Dissipation Unit 13, 130 Media vaporization section 14. Third media channel 15, 150 First cabinet 16 Fuel Cell 17, 170 Oxygen-containing gas supply channels 18. Modifier 19 Fuel cell stack 20 Manifold 21 First oxygen-containing gas flow path 22 Second oxygen-containing gas flow path 23, 230 Third oxygen-containing gas flow path 24. Fourth oxygen-containing gas channel 25, 250 vaporization section 26, 260 Modified section 27 First exhaust gas flow path 28 First medium flow path 29. Second cabinet 30 Cylindrical member 31 Exhaust gas inlet 32 Exhaust gas outlet 33 Media inlet 34 Media outlet 35 First plate section 36 Second plate section 37 Third plate section 38 Second exhaust gas flow path 39 Second media channel 40 Heat exchanger 41 Fuel cell equipment 42 Fuel cell equipment 430 Third exhaust gas flow path 440 Heat exchanger ep exhaust port gr1 First groove GR2 Second groove op1 Opening of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path op2 Opening of the third oxygen-containing gas flow path

Claims

1. The first enclosure and A fuel cell located within the first enclosure and generating electricity using oxygen-containing gas and fuel gas, The system comprises a first oxygen-containing gas flow path located in a first direction from the fuel cell, and a second oxygen-containing gas flow path adjacent to the fuel cell and communicating with the end of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path, and an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell. The first housing, when viewed from the first direction, has an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gas from the fuel cell outside the region of the first oxygen-containing gas flow path. Fuel cell module.

2. In the fuel cell module according to claim 1, The fuel cell has at least two rows of fuel cell cell stacks arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The second oxygen-containing gas flow path is located between the two rows of fuel cell stacks. Fuel cell module.

3. In the fuel cell module according to claim 2, The oxygen-containing gas supply passage has a third oxygen-containing gas passage that communicates with the first oxygen-containing gas passage on the third direction side perpendicular to both the first and second directions, along the side wall on the second direction side of the first housing, The exhaust port is located on the side opposite to the third direction. Fuel cell module.

4. In the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The reformer further comprises a reformer located in the first direction from the fuel cell, having a vaporization section for vaporizing water and a reforming section for reforming the raw fuel gas using the water vaporized in the vaporization section to produce the fuel gas, The vaporization section is located between a part of the fuel cell and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path. Fuel cell module.

5. In the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The reformer further comprises a reformer located in the first direction from the fuel cell, having a vaporization section for vaporizing water and a reforming section for reforming the raw fuel gas using the water vaporized in the vaporization section to produce the fuel gas, The vaporization unit is located in the opposite direction from the first direction from the exhaust port. Fuel cell module.

6. In the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A vaporization unit located in the opposite direction from the first direction of the fuel cell, which vaporizes water, The system further comprises a reforming unit located in the first direction from the fuel cell, which uses the water vaporized in the vaporization unit to reform the raw fuel gas and generate the fuel gas. Fuel cell module.

7. A fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The device comprises a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, and a waste heat utilization unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively. Fuel cell module unit.

8. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 7, The heat dissipation unit comprises a second housing communicating with the exhaust port and at least one cylindrical member provided within the second housing. The inner surface of the cylindrical member defines the first medium flow path, The inner surface of the second housing and the outer surface of the cylindrical member define the first exhaust gas flow path. Fuel cell module unit.

9. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 8, The cylindrical member contains the catalyst. Fuel cell module unit.

10. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 7, The system further includes a medium vaporization unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas discharged from the heat utilization unit and a second medium. Fuel cell module unit.

11. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 10, The media vaporization unit has a second media flow path through which the second media flows and a second exhaust gas flow path through which the exhaust gas flows, with these two paths facing each other. Fuel cell module unit.

12. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 7, The system further comprises a third medium channel through which the first medium flowing out of the first medium channel flows, The third oxygen-containing gas flow path and the third medium flow path are opposite each other. Fuel cell module unit.

13. A fuel cell module according to claim 3, A heat recovery unit having a first exhaust gas passage located in the first direction from the first housing and communicating with the exhaust port, and a first medium passage into which a first medium flows, which causes heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the first medium flowing in the first exhaust gas passage and the first medium passage, respectively, The system comprises a third exhaust gas passage through which the exhaust gas passing through the first exhaust gas passage flows, The third oxygen-containing gas passage and the third exhaust gas passage face each other. Fuel cell module unit.

14. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 7, Viewed from the first direction, the heat exhaust utilization section and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path overlap in at least part. Fuel cell module unit.

15. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 10, Viewed from the first direction, the medium vaporization section is larger than the waste heat utilization section. Fuel cell module unit.

16. In the fuel cell module unit according to claim 10, Viewed from the first direction, the medium vaporization section and the first oxygen-containing gas flow path overlap in at least part. Fuel cell module unit.

17. A plurality of fuel cell modules according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The fuel cell module is located in a first direction and comprises a waste heat utilization unit that utilizes the heat of the exhaust gas, The waste heat utilization unit spans at least a portion of the plurality of fuel cell modules. Fuel cell device.

18. The system comprises a plurality of fuel cell module units as described in claim 7. Fuel cell device.

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