Fuel cell power generation system

The fuel cell power generation system addresses fluid leakage by integrating a gas-liquid separator, connecting pipes, and a water seal device to enhance separation and containment, thereby reducing leakage risks and ensuring safe operation.

JP2026096141AActive Publication Date: 2026-06-12FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-03-25
Publication Date
2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional fuel cell systems face issues where fluids, such as unreacted hydrogen bubbles, unintentionally leak through drainage pipes due to pressure fluctuations and improper separation of exhaust gases and moisture.

Method used

A fuel cell power generation system with a gas-liquid separator that efficiently separates moisture and exhaust gases, utilizing a connecting pipe to link the exhaust and drain pipes, and a water seal device to neutralize and contain fluids, reducing the risk of leakage.

🎯Benefits of technology

The system effectively mitigates pressure fluctuations, enhances gas-liquid separation, and minimizes the risk of fluids leaking outside, ensuring safer operation and compliance with environmental standards.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To reduce the risk of fluids that should not be allowed to flow outside leaking through drainage pipes. [Solution] A gas-liquid separator having a fuel cell and a case into which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, which separates moisture from the exhaust gas within the case, discharges the water inside the case to the outside of the case through a drain port provided in the case, and discharges the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case through an exhaust port provided in the case, an exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the exhaust port, and a drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging the water from the drain port, A fuel cell power generation system comprising a water sealer for sealing the drain outlet with water, wherein the water sealer also serves as a neutralizer for neutralizing the water from the drain outlet.
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Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell power generation system. 【Background Art】 【0002】 There is known a fuel cell system including a fuel cell that generates electricity using a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a gas-liquid separator having a water storage section that stores water separated from off-fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell, and a water seal path connected to a drain port of the water storage section. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-018534 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 A fuel cell generates electricity by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and discharges water vapor (moisture) generated during the reaction together with exhaust gas. A gas-liquid separator separates moisture from the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, discharges the condensed water separated therefrom through a drain pipe, and discharges the exhaust gas from which the moisture has been separated through an exhaust pipe. However, in the conventional discharge structure, there is a case where a fluid that is desired to be suppressed from flowing out to the outside flows out to the outside through the drain pipe. 【0005】 The present disclosure provides a fuel cell power generation system capable of reducing the risk that a fluid that is desired to be suppressed from flowing out to the outside flows out to the outside through the drain pipe. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 As one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel cell, A gas-liquid separator having a case into which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas within the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case through a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case through an exhaust port provided in the case, An exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust from the aforementioned exhaust port, A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging water from the aforementioned drain opening, A water seal device for sealing the drain outlet, A fuel cell power generation system is provided, comprising a connecting pipe that connects the exhaust pipe and the drain pipe so that the gas in the drain pipe flows to the exhaust pipe and the water in the exhaust pipe flows to the drain pipe. 【0007】 Another aspect of this disclosure is, Fuel cells and A gas-liquid separator having a case into which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas within the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case through a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case through an exhaust port provided in the case, An exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust from the aforementioned exhaust port, A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging water from the aforementioned drain opening, The system includes a water seal device for sealing the drain outlet with water, A fuel cell power generation system is provided in which the water seal also serves as a neutralizer for neutralizing the water coming from the drain outlet. [Effects of the Invention] 【0008】 According to this disclosure, the risk of fluids that you want to prevent from flowing out to the outside leaking out through drainage pipes can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This figure shows an example of a case without connecting pipes. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example where a connecting pipe is present. [Figure 4] This is a side view of an example of a water seal device that also functions as a neutralizer. [Figure 5] This is a front view cross-sectional view of an example of a water seal device that also functions as a neutralizer. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as indicated by the claims. 【0011】 In the description and drawings of each embodiment, components having substantially the same or corresponding functional configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant explanations. For ease of understanding, the scale of each part in the drawings may differ from that of the actual parts. 【0012】 A degree of deviation is permissible in directions such as parallel, right angles, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up, down, left, right, front, and back, as long as it does not impair the function and effect of the embodiment. The shape of the corners is not limited to right angles and may be rounded. Parallel, right angles, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may include approximately parallel, approximately right angles, approximately orthogonal, approximately horizontal, and approximately vertical, respectively. 【0013】 For example, "substantially parallel" means that even if two lines or two planes are not completely parallel to each other, they can be treated as parallel to each other within an acceptable range in manufacturing. For each of the other "substantially right angle", "substantially orthogonal", "substantially horizontal", and "substantially vertical", it is intended that they respectively apply as long as the relative positional relationship between the two lines or two planes is within an acceptable range in manufacturing, similar to "substantially parallel". 【0014】 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell power generation system according to the first embodiment. The fuel cell power generation system 101 is a system capable of supplying the electric power generated by the fuel cell 40 to a predetermined supply target. The fuel cell power generation system 101 includes a fuel cell 40, a gas-liquid separator 50, an exhaust pipe 81, a drain pipe 91, a water seal 20, and a connecting pipe 30. 【0015】 The fuel cell 40 generates electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen SH supplied from the fuel pipe 41 and oxygen contained in the air SA supplied from the air supply port 42. The fuel cell 40 may be a unit including a fuel cell module and auxiliary equipment. 【0016】 The fuel cell module includes, for example, a fuel cell stack that generates electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen SH supplied from the fuel pipe 41 and oxygen contained in the air SA supplied from the air supply port 42. The fuel cell stack has a stack structure in which a plurality of cells are stacked. The fuel cell stack is, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). However, the fuel cell stack may be other types of fuel cells such as a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). 【0017】 The fuel cell module may include an air compressor that compresses the air SA supplied from the air intake 42 and supplies it to the fuel cell stack, a coolant pump that circulates coolant between the heat exchanger and the fuel cell stack, and the like. 【0018】 The auxiliary equipment included in the fuel cell 40 is equipment for operating the fuel cell stack and assists in the power generation operation of the fuel cell stack. The auxiliary equipment may include at least one of the following: fuel pipes, air pipes, air filters, exhaust pipes, heat exchangers, etc. The fuel pipes are pipes that supply hydrogen SH supplied from the fuel piping 41 to the fuel electrodes of the fuel cell stack. The air pipes are pipes that supply air SA supplied from the air inlet 42 to the air electrodes of the fuel cell stack. The air filters remove impurities from the air SA supplied from the air inlet 42. The air purified by the air filters is supplied to the air compressor via the air pipes. The exhaust pipes discharge the exhaust gas generated in the fuel cell stack to the gas-liquid separator 50. The heat exchangers cool the coolant used to cool the fuel cell stack by exchanging heat with a cooling source. 【0019】 The gas-liquid separator 50 separates the water vapor EW contained in the exhaust gas EG discharged from the fuel cell 40. The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges water DW, which is formed by condensing the water vapor EW separated from the exhaust gas EG, and exhaust gas EA, which is formed by separating the water vapor EW from the exhaust gas EG. Water DW is formed when gaseous water vapor EW (water vapor) changes into a liquid. 【0020】 The gas-liquid separator 50 has a case 60 into which exhaust gas EG discharged by the power generation of the fuel cell 40 is introduced via an inlet pipe 71. The case 60 has, for example, a roughly rectangular cuboid hexahedron shape. The three-dimensional shape of the case 60 is not limited to this, and may be other three-dimensional shapes such as a cylinder. 【0021】 The gas-liquid separator 50 separates the water EW contained in the exhaust EG from the exhaust EG within the case 60. The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges the water DW and exhaust EA within the case 60 to the outside of the case 60. 【0022】 The case 60 has a front surface 61 provided with an inlet 70 for introducing exhaust gas EG into the case 60, and a rear surface 62 provided with an exhaust port 80 for discharging exhaust gas EA outside the case 60. The front surface 61 is an example of a first surface of the case 60. The rear surface 62 is an example of a second surface of the case 60 that faces the first surface. The front surface 61 and the rear surface 62 correspond to the sides of a hexahedron and are parallel to the vertical plane. 【0023】 In the gas-liquid separator 50, exhaust gas EG introduced into the case 60 from the inlet 70 is separated from moisture EW within the case 60 and then discharged outside the case 60 as exhaust gas EA from the exhaust port 80. The front 61, where the inlet 70 is located, faces the rear 62, where the exhaust port 80 is located, so changes in the direction of the exhaust flow from the inlet 70 to the exhaust port 80 are suppressed. This reduces pressure fluctuations of the exhaust gas inside the case 60. 【0024】 When the pressure fluctuations of the exhaust within case 60 are mitigated, the gas-liquid separation of the exhaust EG within case 60 is promoted, and excessive pressure increases in the exhaust within case 60 are suppressed. This reduces the risk that the exhaust within case 60 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) will mix with the water DW and leak out to the outside through the drain pipe 91. Unreacted hydrogen is hydrogen contained in the exhaust EG that has not reacted with oxygen in the fuel cell 40. In this way, the risk of the fluid whose leakage to the outside is to be suppressed (in this case, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) leaking out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 is reduced. 【0025】 The exhaust pipe 81 has an exhaust inlet 83 connected to the exhaust port 80 and an exhaust outlet 82 that discharges exhaust EA discharged from the exhaust port 80 to the outside of the case 60. Because the exhaust pipe 81 with the exhaust outlet 82 is connected to the exhaust port 80 at the exhaust inlet 83, exhaust EA is discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 at a location away from the exhaust port 80. As a result, compared to a configuration without an exhaust pipe 81 connected to the exhaust port 80, the amount of exhaust EA accumulating around the exhaust port 80 is reduced, and pressure fluctuations of the exhaust inside the case 60 due to the accumulation of exhaust EA are mitigated. Therefore, as described above, the risk of fluids that you want to suppress from flowing out to the outside (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) flowing out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 is reduced. Furthermore, because exhaust EA is discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 at a location away from the exhaust port 80, the risk of disasters occurring due to the accumulation of exhaust EA containing unreacted hydrogen gas in the internal space 131 of the fuel cell power generation system 101 is reduced. 【0026】 Since the exhaust EA contains a gas with a lower density than air, the exhaust outlet 82 may be located above the lower edge 80a of the exhaust port 80. This promotes the discharge of exhaust EA from the exhaust port 80 to the exhaust outlet 82, thereby mitigating pressure fluctuations of the exhaust within the case 60. As a result, as described above, the risk of fluids that we want to prevent from flowing to the outside (e.g., bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) flowing out through the drain pipe 91 is reduced. 【0027】 In addition, the configuration in which the exhaust outlet 82 is located above the lower edge 80a of the exhaust port 80 may also be a configuration in which the exhaust outlet 82 is located above the upper edge 80b of the exhaust port 80. 【0028】 Since moisture EW is denser than air, the case 60 has a drain port 90 located below the inlet 70 for discharging the water DW, which is formed from the condensed moisture EW separated from the exhaust EG, to the outside of the case 60. This allows the gas-liquid separator 50 to efficiently discharge the water DW, which is formed from the condensed moisture EW separated from the exhaust EG, to the outside of the case 60 through the drain port 90. For example, the gas-liquid separator 50 separates the moisture EW from the exhaust EG due to the weight of the moisture EW itself. 【0029】 The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges water DW from the drain port 90 to the outside of the case 60, for example, by the weight of the water DW that has condensed from water EW. By utilizing the weight of the water DW to discharge the water DW to the outside of the case 60, the power required for the discharge of water DW, such as a motor, can be reduced or eliminated, and the water DW is efficiently discharged to the outside of the case 60. 【0030】 For example, case 60 has a water storage area 68 for storing water DW which is formed by condensing water EW separated from exhaust EG. The water storage area 68 is the lower space inside case 60. The bottom surface 65a of the water storage area 68 is provided on the bottom surface 65 of case 60, but it may also be an inner surface provided inside case 60. 【0031】 The drain port 90 is located below the exhaust port 80. In this example, the drain port 90 is located on the rear surface 62, but it may be located on other surfaces of the case 60 (e.g., the bottom surface 65 or a side surface). 【0032】 The drain pipe 91 has a drain inlet 93 connected to the drain port 90 and a drain outlet 92 for discharging water DW that is discharged from the drain port 90 to the outside of the case 60. Since the drain pipe 91 having the drain outlet 92 is connected to the drain port 90 at the drain inlet 93, water DW is discharged from the drain outlet 92 at a location away from the drain port 90. 【0033】 The drain pipe 91 is sloped downward toward the drain outlet 92, thereby promoting the discharge of water DW from the drain outlet 92. 【0034】 The water seal device 20 seals the drain outlet 92 with water. The water seal device 20 has a water seal tank 21 into which water DW flows from the drain outlet 92 of the drain pipe 91, and is a device that seals the inside of the drain pipe 91 from the atmosphere with the water accumulated in the water seal tank 21. The drain outlet 92 is sealed by being submerged in the water seal tank 21. The water seal device 20 has an overflow pipe 22 that discharges the water that overflows from the water seal tank 21 to the drainage facility 23. 【0035】 The fuel cell power generation system 101 reduces the risk of exhaust gas (e.g., bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) in the gas-liquid separator 50 flowing out of the fuel cell power generation system 101 through the drain pipe 91 by the water seal pressure due to the water seal height H in the water seal 20. 【0036】 However, due to phenomena such as an excessive pressure increase in the exhaust gas inside the case 60, or a decrease in water seal pressure due to a decrease in water seal height H, the exhaust gas inside the case 60 of the gas-liquid separator 50 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) may flow out to the outside through the drain pipe 91. 【0037】 To reduce the risk of such external leakage, the fuel cell power generation system 101 according to the first embodiment is equipped with a connecting pipe 30. The connecting pipe 30 connects the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91 so that the gas in the drain pipe 91 flows to the exhaust pipe 81 and the water in the exhaust pipe 81 flows to the drain pipe 91. The connecting pipe may be referred to as a connecting pipe. By being equipped with such a connecting pipe 30, the fuel cell power generation system 101 can reduce the risk that exhaust gas in the case 60 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) will flow out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 due to phenomena such as an excessive pressure rise in the exhaust gas in the case 60. 【0038】 Figure 2 shows a comparative example in the case without the connecting pipe 30. Since the exhaust EA is released into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 81, it may be susceptible to external pressure OP such as atmospheric pressure or wind pressure. In this case, pressure fluctuations in the exhaust within the exhaust pipe 81 may cause pressure fluctuations in the exhaust within the case 60. Furthermore, it is difficult to completely separate the exhaust EG into exhaust EA and moisture EW. Therefore, water CW, which is condensed from moisture contained in the exhaust EA within the exhaust pipe 81, may periodically flow back into the exhaust pipe 81 in the direction BD toward the case 60, or accumulate within the exhaust pipe 81, narrowing the flow path 81a within the exhaust pipe 81. In this case as well, pressure fluctuations in the exhaust within the exhaust pipe 81 may cause pressure fluctuations in the exhaust within the case 60. 【0039】 Pressure fluctuations in the exhaust within case 60 can cause an excessive pressure increase in the exhaust within case 60, which may lead to the exhaust (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) mixing with the water DW and flowing out to the outside through the drain pipe 91. 【0040】 In contrast, Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which a connecting pipe 30 is present. In this example, the connecting pipe 30 connects the exhaust pipe 81 to the drain pipe 91. By providing the connecting pipe 30 that connects the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91, pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 caused by external disturbances such as external pressure OP can be released into the connecting pipe 30. As a result, pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 are mitigated, and thus pressure fluctuations in the case 60 are also mitigated. Furthermore, by providing the connecting pipe 30 that connects the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91, condensed water CW in the exhaust pipe 81 flows through the connecting pipe 30 in the direction AD toward the drain pipe 91. As a result, backflow and stagnation of condensed water CW in the exhaust pipe 81 are suppressed, thus mitigating pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 and mitigating pressure fluctuations in the case 60. 【0041】 As described above, mitigating the pressure fluctuations of the exhaust gas within case 60 promotes gas-liquid separation of the exhaust gas within case 60 and suppresses excessive pressure increases in the exhaust gas within case 60. This reduces the risk of the exhaust gas within case 60 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) mixing with the water DW and flowing out to the outside through the drain pipe 91. 【0042】 Even if the exhaust gas from case 60 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) mixes with water DW, it will flow through the connecting pipe 30 towards the exhaust pipe 81 in direction CD. This reduces the risk of the exhaust gas from case 60 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) leaking to the outside from the drain outlet 92 of the drain pipe 91. 【0043】 In Figure 1, the connecting pipe 30 includes a first connection port 31 connected to the exhaust pipe 81 and a second connection port 32 connected to the drain pipe 91. If the position of the first connection port 31 is higher than the position of the second connection port 32, it is possible to facilitate the flow of gas in the drain pipe 91 through the connecting pipe 30 to the exhaust pipe 81, and also to facilitate the flow of water in the exhaust pipe 81 through the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 91. The gas in the drain pipe 91 (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) contains gas that is less dense than air, so it flows more easily through the connecting pipe 30 to the exhaust pipe 81 above the connecting pipe 30. On the other hand, water condensed in the exhaust pipe 81 flows more easily through the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 91 below the connecting pipe 30 due to its own weight. 【0044】 For example, the connecting pipe 30 is connected to a pipe fitting (e.g., a tee pipe) installed in the middle of the exhaust pipe 81 at a first connection port 31. This allows the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81 to be easily connected. For example, the connecting pipe 30 is connected to a pipe fitting (e.g., a tee pipe) installed in the middle of the drain pipe 91 at a second connection port 32. This allows the connecting pipe 30 and the drain pipe 91 to be easily connected. 【0045】 The direction in which the connecting pipe 30 extends (for example, the straight line direction connecting the first connection port 31 and the second connection port 32) may be inclined with respect to the vertical plane or parallel to the vertical plane. In the illustrated case, the direction in which the connecting pipe 30 extends is inclined with respect to the vertical plane toward the side where the first connection port 31 is closer to the exhaust port 80 or exhaust inlet 83. 【0046】 The connecting pipe 30 is preferably linear in order to facilitate the flow of gas from the drain pipe 91 to the exhaust pipe 81 or the flow of water from the exhaust pipe 81 to the drain pipe 91, but it may also be curved. 【0047】 The straight-line distance between the first connection port 31 and the exhaust port 80 or exhaust inlet 83 may be equal to or different from the straight-line distance between the second connection port 32 and the drain port 90 or drain inlet 93. In the illustrated case, the straight-line distance between the first connection port 31 and the exhaust port 80 or exhaust inlet 83 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the second connection port 32 and the drain port 90 or drain inlet 93. 【0048】 If the position of the first connection port 31 is lower than the position of the exhaust outlet 82, it can facilitate the discharge of gas in the drain pipe 91 through the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81 to the exhaust outlet 82. However, if the gas in the drain pipe 91 is discharged through the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81 to the exhaust outlet 82, the position of the first connection port 31 may be at the same height as the exhaust outlet 82. 【0049】 The position of the first connection port 31 is, for example, at the same height as the exhaust port 80, or higher than the exhaust port 80. This facilitates the flow of water stagnant in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. The position of the first connection port 31 being at the same height as the exhaust port 80 means that the first connection port 31 intersects with a virtual horizontal plane passing through the exhaust port 80. The position of the first connection port 31 being higher than the exhaust port 80 means that the first connection port 31 is located above the virtual horizontal plane passing through the exhaust port 80. In this example, the position of the first connection port 31 is approximately at the same height as the exhaust port 80. More specifically, the first connection port 31 is located above the virtual horizontal plane passing through the lower edge 80a of the exhaust port 80. 【0050】 If the exhaust pipe 81 includes portions that extend horizontally or upward, it facilitates the flow of water stagnant in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. In the example shown in Figure 3, the exhaust pipe 81 includes a straight pipe 84 as a pipe portion that extends substantially horizontally, and a curved pipe 86 and a straight pipe 85 as pipe portions that extend upward. The straight pipe 84, the curved pipe 86 and the straight pipe 85 are connected so that fluid can flow inside them. 【0051】 The first connection port 31 is connected to a portion that extends horizontally or upward, thereby facilitating the flow of water accumulated in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. In this example, the first connection port 31 is connected to the curved pipe 86, but it may also be connected to the straight pipe 84 or the straight pipe 85. 【0052】 Straight pipe 84 extends at an elevation angle of 0° to 60°. Curved pipe 86 bends upward at an angle of 90° or less relative to the direction before bending. Straight pipe 85 extends at an elevation angle of 60° to 90°. 【0053】 Part or all of the exhaust pipe 81 (in this example, the straight pipe 84, the curved pipe 86, or the straight pipe 85) may be made of metal such as stainless steel, or of resin such as rubber. Part or all of the straight pipe 84, part or all of the curved pipe 86, or part or all of the straight pipe 85 may be made of metal such as stainless steel, or of resin such as rubber. 【0054】 The exhaust pipe 81 may have a bellows-shaped inner surface 87, as shown in Figure 3. If the inner surface 87 is bellows-shaped, water inside the exhaust pipe 81 tends to accumulate in the bellows' depressions. In this case, providing a connecting pipe 30 enhances the effect of promoting the flow of water accumulated inside the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. In this example, the curved pipe 86 has a bellows-shaped inner surface 87, but the straight pipe 84 or straight pipe 85 may also have a bellows-shaped inner surface. The exhaust pipe 81 may also have a smooth inner surface 87 that is not bellows-shaped. 【0055】 In Figure 1, if the position of the second connection port 32 is higher than the position of the drain outlet 92, the gas in the drain pipe 91 will flow more easily into the connecting pipe 30, thus reducing the risk of the gas in the drain pipe 91 being discharged to the outside from the exhaust outlet 82. However, if the gas in the drain pipe 91 is discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 through the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81, the position of the second connection port 32 may be at the same height as the drain outlet 92. 【0056】 The position of the second connection port 32 is, for example, at the same height as the drain outlet 90, or lower than the drain outlet 90. This makes it easier for water DW to flow from the drain outlet 90 to the second connection port 32 through the drain pipe 91. The position of the second connection port 32 being at the same height as the drain outlet 90 means that the second connection port 32 intersects with the virtual horizontal plane passing through the drain outlet 90. The position of the second connection port 32 being lower than the drain outlet 90 means that the second connection port 32 is located below the virtual horizontal plane passing through the drain outlet 90. In this example, the position of the second connection port 32 is approximately at the same height as the drain outlet 90. More specifically, the second connection port 32 is located below the virtual horizontal plane passing through the upper end of the drain outlet 90. 【0057】 In Figure 1, the fuel cell power generation system 101 may include a ventilation device 110 and a drain pipe 120. The ventilation device 110 may include a ventilation device 110 that discharges exhaust gas EA discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 to the outside, and a drain pipe 120 that discharges water W inside the ventilation device 110 to the water seal 20. This prevents water W from accumulating inside the ventilation device 110. 【0058】 The fuel cell power generation system 101 comprises a housing 130. The housing 130 has a box-like shape with an internal space 131. The housing 130 has an exhaust port 132 for discharging air from the internal space 131 to the outside. The ventilation device 110 has a fan 111 that draws air from outside the housing 130 into the internal space 131. The air VA drawn into the internal space 131 by the fan 111 passes through the internal space 131 and is discharged to the ventilation device 110 through the exhaust port 132. 【0059】 The ventilation device 110 mixes the air VA that ventilates the internal space 131 in the housing 130 with the exhaust EA discharged from the exhaust outlet 82. By mixing the air VA and the exhaust EA, the ventilation device 110 dilutes the exhaust EA with the air VA. In the ventilation device 110, the diluted exhaust DA, which is exhaust EA diluted with air VA, is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101 from the exhaust port 112. 【0060】 The ventilation device 110 has a housing 113 and a water tray 114. 【0061】 The housing 113 covers the exhaust port 132 and the fan 111 provided in the exhaust port 132 of the housing 130, and is provided to form an exhaust port 112 for exhausting diluted exhaust DA to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101. 【0062】 The enclosure 113 bends the air VA and exhaust EA in the lateral direction in Figure 1, causing them to mix in area RA within the enclosure 113. In one example, the exhaust EA is at a temperature of approximately 70°C. On the other hand, the air VA ventilating the internal space 131 is heated by the fuel cell 40, etc., and is therefore at a temperature slightly higher than room temperature, for example, around 30°C. Consequently, the exhaust EA is cooled by the air VA. The exhaust EA contains water vapor. Therefore, when the exhaust EA is cooled by the air VA, the water vapor contained in the exhaust EA condenses. 【0063】 The water W that condenses from the water vapor contained in the exhaust EA accumulates in the water receiver 114 due to its own weight, etc. The water W accumulated in the water receiver 114 is discharged through the drain pipe 120 into the water seal tank 21 of the water seal device 20. 【0064】 In the ventilation system 110, the generation of white smoke can be suppressed by mixing the exhaust EA and the air VA. In the ventilation system 110, the water W that has condensed from water vapor is discharged to the water seal 20 through the drain pipe 120, so that, for example, the ceiling or interior of the housing 130 does not become flooded with water. 【0065】 The fuel cell power generation system 101 may also include a discharge pipe 140 for releasing gas from the water seal 20. By including the discharge pipe 140, gas accumulated in the water seal 20 can be released to the outside. For example, even if unreacted hydrogen from the drain pipe 91 accumulates in the water seal tank 21 of the water seal 20, if the concentration of unreacted hydrogen is lower than the emission standard, it can be discharged into the atmosphere through the discharge pipe 140. 【0066】 The water seal 20 may also function as a neutralizer to neutralize the water from the drain outlet 92, or a separate neutralizer may be provided. Figure 1 illustrates a configuration in which the water seal 20 also functions as a neutralizer. By having the water seal 20 also function as a neutralizer, the fuel cell power generation system 101 can be miniaturized compared to a configuration in which a separate neutralizer is provided. In the configuration in which a separate neutralizer is provided, for example, a neutralizer is provided on the discharge side of the overflow pipe 22 of the water seal 20 to neutralize the water discharged from the overflow pipe 22. 【0067】 The water seal device 20 has a retaining plate 16 that holds the neutralizing agent 3 in the water seal tank 21. An example of the neutralizing agent 3 is particulate calcium carbonate. The water discharged from the drain outlet 92 is neutralized by contact with the neutralizing agent 3 and is discharged from the overflow pipe 22 to the drainage facility 23 outside the fuel cell power generation system 101 in a state that meets the drainage standards (for example, pH of 5.8 or more and 8.6 or less). Therefore, the risk of fluids that you want to prevent from flowing out to the outside (in this case, water with a pH exceeding the drainage standards) flowing out to the outside through the overflow pipe 22 is reduced. 【0068】 The retaining plate 16 preferably has at least one through hole 16a. This facilitates contact between water and the neutralizing agent 3 through the through hole 16a, thereby promoting the neutralization of water. 【0069】 Figure 4 is a side view of an example of a water seal device that also functions as a neutralizer. Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional view of an example of a water seal device that also functions as a neutralizer. The water seal device 20 has a water seal tank 21 into which water flows from the drain outlet 92 of the drain pipe 91, and a lid 2 that covers the top surface of the water seal tank 21. An airtight seal 14 is sandwiched between the top surface of the water seal tank 21 and the lid 2. The drain pipe 91 enters the water seal tank 21 through an inlet 9 in the side wall (first side wall) of the water seal tank 21. The drain pipe 120 is connected to the inlet 10 in the side wall (back wall) of the water seal tank 21. The discharge pipe 140 is connected to the discharge port 11 in the side wall (front wall) of the water seal tank 21. An overflow pipe 22, with one end submerged below the water level 15, is connected to the side wall (second side wall opposite the first side wall) of the water seal tank 21. The water in the water seal tank 21 is drained from the drain 13 provided on the second side wall. 【0070】 The water seal device 20 includes an inlet tank 17 into which water flows from the drain outlet 92, a neutralization tank 18 that neutralizes the water flowing in from the inlet tank 17, and a drain tank 19 that discharges the water flowing in from the neutralization tank 18 through the overflow pipe 22. As a result, the water discharged from the drain outlet 92 passes through the neutralization tank 18 and is discharged through the overflow pipe 22, thereby promoting the neutralization of the water. 【0071】 The inlet tank 17 and the neutralization tank 18 are separated by a wire mesh 6 fixed to a fixing plate 7. Water from the inlet tank 17 flows into the neutralization tank 18 through the mesh of the wire mesh 6. The neutralization tank 18 and the drainage tank 19 are separated by a partition plate 4 with multiple through-holes 5 formed therein. Water from the neutralization tank 18 flows into the drainage tank 19 through the through-holes 5. 【0072】 Figure 6 shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the description of the configuration, operation, and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 102 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 6 differs from the fuel cell power generation system 101 according to the first embodiment in that the discharge pipe 140 discharges the gas in the water seal 20 to the ventilation device 110. 【0073】 The discharge pipe 140 discharges the gas inside the water seal 20 to the ventilation device 110, so that the gas accumulated inside the water seal 20 is released to the outside by the ventilation device 110. This promotes the release of the gas accumulated inside the water seal 20 to the outside, and any unreacted hydrogen or other gases inside the water seal 20 are diluted by the air VA and discharged to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101 through the exhaust port 112. 【0074】 Figure 7 shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the description of the configuration, operation, and effects similar to those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 103 according to the third embodiment shown in Figure 7 differs from the fuel cell power generation system 102 according to the second embodiment in that the water sealer 20 is arranged inside the housing 130. By arranging the water sealer 20 inside the housing 130, the weather resistance of the water sealer 20 is improved. 【0075】 Figure 8 shows an example configuration of a fuel cell power generation system according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the description of the configuration, operation, and effects, which are the same as those of the first to third embodiments, will be omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 104 according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 8 differs from the fuel cell power generation systems according to the first to third embodiments in that the fuel cell 40 includes multiple fuel cells (in this example, two fuel cells 40A and 40B). 【0076】 In the fourth embodiment, the fuel cell power generation system 104 has a water sealer 20 that is shared by multiple fuel cells (in this example, two fuel cells 40A and 40B). By sharing the water sealer 20 among multiple fuel cells, the fuel cell power generation system 104 can be made smaller compared to a configuration in which the water sealer 20 is individually provided for each fuel cell. 【0077】 As described above, embodiments have been explained, but these embodiments are presented as examples only, and the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0078】 1 container 2 lid 3. Neutralizing agent 4 partition plates 5 Through hole 6 Wire mesh 7 Fixed plate 8 Water seal tube 9 Entrance 10 Entrance 11 Outlet 13 Drain outlet 14. Airtight seal 15 Water surface 16 Holding plate 17 Inflow tank 18 Neutralization tank 19 Drain tank 20 Water sealer 21 Water seal tank 22 Overflow pipe 23 Drainage facilities 30 Connecting pipe 31 First connection port 32 Second connection port 40,40A,40B fuel cell 50 Gas-liquid separator 60 cases 61 Front 62 Back 65 Bottom surface 65a Bottom 68 Water storage area 70 Inlet 71 Introductory tube 80 Exhaust vents 80a Lower edge 80b Upper edge 81 Exhaust pipe 82 Exhaust outlet 83 Exhaust Inlet 84,85 straight pipe 86 Bent pipe 87 Inner surface 90 Drain port 91 Drain pipe 92 Drain outlet 93 Drainage inlet 94 bubbles 101, 102, 103, 104 Fuel cell power generation system 110 Ventilation system 111 Fans 112 Exhaust port 113 cabinets 114 Water basin 120 Drain pipe 130 cabinets 131 Interior space 140 Release tube

Claims

[Claim 1] Fuel cells and A gas-liquid separator having a case into which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas within the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case through a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case through an exhaust port provided in the case, An exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust from the aforementioned exhaust port, A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging water from the aforementioned drain opening, The system includes a water seal device for sealing the drain outlet with water, The water seal also serves as a neutralizer for neutralizing the water coming from the drain outlet in a fuel cell power generation system. [Claim 2] The water seal includes an inlet tank into which water flows from the drain outlet, a neutralization tank for neutralizing the water flowing from the inlet tank, and a drain tank for discharging the water flowing from the neutralization tank. The inflow tank and the neutralization tank are separated by a wire mesh. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the neutralization tank and the drainage tank are separated by a plate having through holes formed therein. [Claim 3] The water seal has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface. The water from the inflow tank flows into the neutralization tank through the mesh of the wire mesh in the direction from the first side to the second side. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 2, wherein water from the neutralization tank flows into the drainage tank through the through hole in the direction from the first side to the second side. [Claim 4] The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 3, wherein the water in the drainage tank is discharged from an overflow pipe. [Claim 5] The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 4, wherein the overflow pipe is connected to the second side surface. [Claim 6] The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 3, wherein a drain is provided on the second side surface. [Claim 7] The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 3, wherein the drain pipe enters the inlet tank via the first side surface. [Claim 8] A ventilation device that discharges exhaust gas from the aforementioned exhaust outlet to the outside, A fuel cell power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a drain pipe for discharging water in the ventilation device to the water seal.