Fuel cell media distribution device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medium distribution device (100) for distributing a gaseous medium to an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks (200), comprising an air supply unit (10, 11, 12, 13) for supplying air to the fuel cell stacks (200) and a fuel supply unit (20, 21, 22, 23) for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stacks (200). According to the present invention, at least a portion of the fuel supply chamber (20) is housed within the air supply chamber (10), and the air supply chamber (10) surrounds the boundary of the fuel supply chamber (20) at least in the portion of the fuel supply chamber (20) that is housed within it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium distribution device for distributing a gaseous medium to an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks, particularly to a high-temperature fuel cell system such as a SOFC system (solid oxide fuel cell system) with a high operating temperature.

Background Art

[0002] It is known that it is necessary to supply a medium for the operation of a fuel cell system. This is, in particular, a gaseous operating medium in the form of an anode supply gas, an anode exhaust gas, a cathode supply gas, and a cathode exhaust gas. In that case, since the fuel cell operates particularly with air and fuel, it is necessary to supply air to each fuel cell and discharge the exhaust gas generated from the corresponding air. Similarly, it is necessary to supply fuel to the fuel cell and discharge the exhaust gas generated therefrom. When a fuel cell system has a number of individual fuel cells in the form of a plurality of fuel cell stacks, these fuel cells are often arranged side by side in a module row, and functionally homogeneous medium flows are integrated into one central medium flow at various branch points in order to simplify the structure, but further to ensure a uniform supply in the parallel operation of the fuel cell stacks.

[0003] Since the operating temperature of the SOFC system is as high as about 500°C to 1000°C, it is necessary to preheat fresh gas from air and fuel before the first supply. For this purpose, mainly, the waste heat of the anode exhaust gas is transferred to the fresh fuel by a heat exchanger, and the waste heat of the cathode exhaust gas is transferred to the fresh air.

[0004] In practice, guiding the gas preheated to a high temperature in a pipeline section has a problem of large heat loss due to a large temperature difference from the ambient temperature. Therefore, the gas whose temperature has been adjusted in advance already loses heat again in the last section between the heat exchanger and the fuel cell, heat is lost from the system, and the overall efficiency of the system decreases.

[0005] Furthermore, it has been found that energy generation through the fuel cell reaction becomes more efficient when the temperature difference between both sides of the membrane, or between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell, is kept small. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a technology that improves temperature compensation between air or cathode supply gas and fuel gas or anode supply gas before supplying them to a fuel cell.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the heat loss of pre-temperature controlled gas in the upstream pipeline section of a fuel cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above problem is solved by a media distribution device having the features of claim 1. Other features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and drawings.

[0009] According to this disclosure, the term fuel supply includes both the supply of pure fuel gas and the supply of fuel gas containing any proportion of recirculated gas that reduces the fuel concentration by prior reaction of the fuel at the anode.

[0010] A media distribution device is used to distribute a gaseous medium to an assembly of multiple fuel cell stacks. For this purpose, the media distribution device comprises at least an air supply unit for supplying air to the fuel cell stacks and a fuel supply unit for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stacks. The air supply unit has a common air supply chamber for distributing air supplied from an upstream supply channel to multiple downstream converging discharge channels. Similarly, the fuel supply unit has a common fuel supply chamber for distributing fuel supplied from an upstream supply channel to multiple downstream converging discharge channels.

[0011] In particular, air and / or fuel are supplied to the center. Essentially, this heat exchange is useful especially for the central air guide, but it can also be useful for the axial air supply. Therefore, it is also advantageous to consider supplying air axially.

[0012] According to the present invention, at least a portion of the fuel supply chamber is housed within the air supply chamber, and the air supply chamber surrounds the boundary of the fuel supply chamber, at least in the portion of the fuel supply chamber that is housed within it.

[0013] In the context of this invention, "surrounding" is understood to mean, in particular, contacting or being in contact for the purpose of intentional heat exchange.

[0014] Accordingly, the present invention is the first to attempt an installation technique for a fuel cell, particularly a high-temperature fuel cell stack, in which the volume of the gas guide for air and the volume of the gas guide for fuel are arranged to partially overlap spatially in the distributor, i.e., immediately before the connection for supplying gas to the fuel cell, that is, in which the volume of one gas guide at least partially surrounds or circumferentially encloses the volume of the other gas guide.

[0015] A major advantage of the present invention is that the arrangement and design of the fuel supply chamber within the air supply chamber according to the present invention provides concentrated heat transfer from the fuel gas flow, which is normally at a higher temperature due to recirculation flow, to the air gas flow. This regulates, and in particular reduces, the temperature difference between the supplied fuel and the supplied air, i.e., the temperature of the fuel cell membrane, thereby improving the efficiency of energy production. Essentially, this can vary between different operating points of the fuel cell system, and for example, the temperature gradient may be reversed. This is the case, for example, when the air becomes significantly hotter than the anode exhaust gas during preheating.

[0016] Another advantage of the present invention is that the fuel gas flow in the upstream pipeline section of the fuel cell experiences little to no heat loss to the surrounding environment because this pipeline section is at least partially surrounded by an air gas flow. As a result, the medium supply system experiences less heat energy loss to the surrounding environment, which also improves the efficiency of energy generation.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the fuel supply chamber is housed within an air supply chamber, and the air supply chamber can substantially completely enclose the boundary of the fuel supply chamber, with a fuel supply inlet of a supply passage opening upstream of the fuel supply chamber and multiple fuel supply channels of multiple discharge passages opening downstream of the fuel supply chamber penetrating the boundary of the air supply chamber. By completely enclosing the fuel supply chamber with the air supply chamber, the heat transfer area between gas flows is maximized.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the fuel supply chamber and the air supply chamber are formed substantially cylindrical with different circumferential radii, and the fuel supply chamber can be housed substantially coaxially with respect to the circumferential radius within the air supply chamber. This design optimizes heat transfer through a radial arrangement and facilitates the manufacturing process.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the fuel supply inlet can substantially penetrate the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber in the axial direction, and the fuel supply channel can substantially penetrate the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber in the radial direction. Thus, the entire axial extension of both chambers can be utilized for heat transfer.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the air supply inlets of supply channels opening upstream of the air supply chamber and the multiple air supply channels of discharge channels opening downstream of the air supply chamber can each enter or exit substantially radially through the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber. Therefore, the spacing of the axial air supply inlets provides sufficient structural space for forming the air supply inlets.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the fuel supply chamber comprises at least one outer portion extending along the outer surface of the boundary of the air supply chamber and an inner portion housed within the air supply chamber, the fuel supply inlet being connected to the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber, and the fluid connection between the outer and inner portions of the fuel supply chamber penetrating the boundary of the air supply chamber. By providing another chamber portion in contact with the outer surface of the air supply chamber, the effective area for heat transfer between gases is increased and temperature uniformity is improved. This effect can be further enhanced by ribs substantially extending in the direction of flow. In particular, short-circuit openings can be further provided to fine-tune heat transfer and / or minimize pressure loss, connecting the hottest and coldest zones of the anode supply section and enabling low flow rates.

[0022] To maximize the contact area between the air intake section and the fuel intake section, it may be advantageous for the fuel supply chamber to include two outer sections, particularly at the rear end, which are joined together with the inner section of the fuel supply chamber.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least one peripheral portion of the boundary of the outer part of the fuel supply chamber can be formed by the boundary of the air supply chamber. This reduces the boundary for heat transfer to the thickness of the chamber wall of the air supply chamber.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the flow direction of the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber can extend substantially parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical air supply chamber. This allows the entire axial length of the air supply chamber to be utilized.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the flow direction of the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber can extend substantially helically around the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber. This increases the flow distance and expands the area for heat transfer.

[0026] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, at least the air supply chamber and the fuel supply chamber, which are parts for guiding the medium, and preferably the air supply channel and the fuel supply channel, are made of welded pipe bodies, preferably made of heat-resistant steel. This enables for the first time a simplified manufacturing of the chambers arranged coaxially with each other, especially as compared to the casting method which is common for such shaped parts.

[0027] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the medium distribution device can comprise a base plate having an upward connection side for the supply and / or discharge of the medium in the fuel cell stack assigned to the assembly of the fuel cell stack, a plurality of air supply outlets each arranged at one end of an air supply channel passing through the base plate and opening towards the connection side, and a plurality of fuel supply outlets each arranged at one end of a fuel supply channel passing through the base plate and opening towards the connection side. Thereby, an interface for all fluid connections to the fuel cell is created.

[0028] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the medium distribution device can further comprise an air disposal part for disposing of the air exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack and a fuel disposal part for disposing of the fuel exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack. Thereby, an additional fluid flow is incorporated into the structural space of the device.

[0029] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the fuel discharge outlet of the fuel disposal part and the fuel supply inlet can be fluidly connected to a recirculation flow. Thereby, the efficiency of the fuel cell system is improved.

[0030] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, a plurality of air discharge inlets each connected to one of a plurality of air discharge channels can pass through the base plate and open towards the connection side, and a plurality of fuel discharge inlets each connected to one of a plurality of channels can pass through the base plate and open towards the connection side. Thereby, an additional fluid flow is incorporated into the interface of the base plate.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the media distribution device may further comprise at least one compensation unit having an axially flexible casing body, particularly in the form of a bellows, the compensation unit being formed in at least one of an air supply channel, a fuel supply channel, an air discharge channel, and / or an air discharge channel. Thus, the forces and effects of material stress due to different thermal expansions in the media distribution device can be compensated.

[0032] In this case, it is advantageous to provide a short-circuit opening, which connects the zones of the fuel supply section. In particular, this short-circuit opening can be provided to fine-tune heat transfer and / or minimize pressure loss, and preferably connects the hottest and coldest zones of the anode supply section or fuel supply section, respectively, thereby enabling a small flow rate. This is particularly advantageous when the inner portion of the fuel supply chamber reaches the inner wall of the fuel supply chamber. This ensures that the coldest anode supply gas is mixed with the most strongly cooled anode gas in the inner portion. This makes it possible to provide as equal inlet conditions as possible for all existing fuel cell stacks.

[0033] Other advantages, features, and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the system section of a fuel cell system incorporating a media distribution device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a media distribution device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is another perspective view of the media distribution device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a top perspective view of a media distribution device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]This figure shows the thermal profiles in the cross-sectional views of the air supply section and the fuel supply section of the media distribution device. [Figure 6A] This is a top cross-sectional view of a media distribution device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] This is a side cross-sectional view of a media distribution device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Figure 1 shows part of the system environment of a high-temperature fuel cell system or SOFC system in which a media distribution device 100 distributes, supplies, collects, and discharges fresh gas and exhaust gas at temperatures above 500°C and below 1000°C. The supply, including air supply from an air source such as a compressor and fuel supply from a fuel source such as a pressure vessel, is described below.

[0036] The media distribution device 100 is connected to these under the assembly of the fuel cells 200. In the illustrated embodiment of the fuel cell module, the fuel cells 200 are arranged in a stacked tower shape. Several of these towers are positioned in a row on the base and connected to each other to be integrated as a fuel cell module, i.e., to form an electrical circuit in particular.

[0037] Figures 2 to 4 show the individual air and fuel flow paths, both the supply and waste sides, as illustrated by arrows and the design of the flow guide section of the media distribution device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Therefore, the media distribution device 100 can be functionally divided into an air supply unit, a fuel supply unit, an air waste unit, and a fuel waste unit.

[0039] The portion of the media distribution device 100 used for air supply consists of a common air supply inlet 11, a common air supply chamber 10, a plurality of air supply channels 12, and a plurality of air supply outlets 13.

[0040] A common air supply inlet 11 is used for the central connection of the media distribution device 100 to the air source. The air supply chamber 10 is connected to the air supply inlet 11, which opens upstream, and is designed to supply and distribute the supplied air to multiple sub-flows in the air supply channels 12. The air supply channels 12, which open into the air supply chamber 10, guide the distributed air downstream from the air supply chamber 10, dividing it into sub-flows of air from the fuel cell stack 200 assembly according to predetermined allocations. Each of the air supply channels 12 terminates at an air supply outlet 13, which serves as an interface between the media distribution device 100 and the fuel cell stack 200. Air is supplied to the fuel cell stack 200 at the air supply outlets 13.

[0041] As can be seen in Figure 4, the air supply outlet 13 is designed, for example, in the form of a connection opening in the base plate 50 of the media distribution device 100. The position of the air supply outlet 13 on the base plate 50 corresponds to the opposing position of a functionally corresponding opposing connection part with respect to the air supply inlet on the bottom surface of the side of the fuel cell stack 200 assembly.

[0042] Similarly, the portion of the media distribution device 100 used for fuel supply is formed from a common fuel supply inlet 21, a common fuel supply chamber 20, a plurality of fuel supply channels 22, and a plurality of fuel supply outlets 23.

[0043] A common fuel supply inlet 21 is used for the central connection of the media distributor 100 to the fuel source. The fuel supply chamber 20 is connected to the fuel supply inlet 21, which opens upstream, and is designed to supply and distribute the supplied fuel into multiple sub-flows within the fuel supply channels 22. The fuel supply channels 22, which open into the fuel supply chamber 20, guide the distributed fuel downstream from the fuel supply chamber 20, dividing it into sub-flows of fuel from the fuel cell stack 200 assembly according to predetermined allocations. Each of the fuel supply channels 22 ends in a fuel supply outlet 23, which serves as an interface between the media distributor 100 and the fuel cell stack 200. Fuel is supplied to the fuel cell stack 200 at the fuel supply outlet 23. The fuel supply outlet 23 is designed, for example, in the form of a connection opening in the base plate 50. The location of the fuel supply outlet 23 in the base plate 50 corresponds to the opposing position of a functionally corresponding opposing connection to the fuel supply inlet on the bottom side of the fuel cell stack 200 assembly.

[0044] Furthermore, the portion of the media distribution device 100 used for air exhaust is formed from a plurality of air outlets 31, a plurality of air outlet channels 32, a common air outlet chamber 30, and a common air outlet 33.

[0045] The air outlet 31 functions as an interface between the media distribution device 100 and the fuel cell stack 200. At the air outlet 31, cathode exhaust gas, i.e., exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell cathode after oxygen in the air has partially reacted, is discharged from the fuel cell stack 200. The air outlet 31 is designed, for example, in the form of a connection opening in the base plate 50, in which case the position of the air outlet 31 in the base plate 50 also corresponds to the opposing position of a functionally corresponding opposing connection to the air outlet on the bottom side of the fuel cell stack 200 assembly.

[0046] Multiple air exhaust channels 32 guide cathode exhaust gas from the air exhaust inlet 31 to a common air exhaust chamber 30 where the separately collected cathode gases are gathered. A common air exhaust outlet 33 is connected to the air exhaust chamber 30, which provides a central outlet for the media distribution device 100 or an outlet connection for the surrounding fuel cell system.

[0047] Similarly, the portion of the media distribution device 100 used for fuel waste is formed from a plurality of fuel discharge inlets 41, a plurality of fuel discharge channels 42, a common fuel discharge chamber 40, and a common fuel discharge outlet 43.

[0048] The fuel outlet 41 also functions as an interface between the media distributor 100 and the fuel cell stack 200. At the fuel outlet 41, anode gas, i.e., exhaust gas from the fuel cell anode, is discharged from the fuel cell stack 200 after the fuel has reacted, if any, partially. Similarly, the fuel outlet 41 is designed, for example, in the form of a connection opening in the base plate 50, so that the position of the fuel outlet 41 in the base plate 50 corresponds to the opposing position of an opposing connection that functionally corresponds to the fuel outlet on the bottom side of the fuel cell stack 200 assembly.

[0049] Multiple fuel discharge channels 42 guide anode exhaust gas from the fuel discharge inlet 41 to a common fuel discharge chamber 40, where the separately recovered anode exhaust gas is collected. A common fuel discharge outlet 43 is also connected to the fuel discharge chamber 40, which provides a connection point to the central outlet of the media distribution device 100 or to anode gas recirculation in the surrounding fuel cell system.

[0050] Furthermore, all cylindrical portions of the channel between the corresponding chamber and the base plate 50 have axially flexible compensating sections 60 formed in the form of bellows within each tube. The compensating sections 60 reduce forces from material stress resulting from thermal expansion within the media distribution device 100.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the thermal profile of the airflow supplied by the media distribution device in the upper cross-sectional view. The airflow is heated by heat transfer at the boundary or chamber wall of the fuel supply chamber 20 as it flows through the air supply chamber 10 to the air supply channel 12. The supplied fuel gas contains a portion of the anode recirculation gas, i.e., a portion of the high-temperature exhaust gas from the anode, thereby making the temperature of the fuel gas higher than that of the supplied air. In the lower cross-sectional view, the thermal profiles of the fuel supply chamber 20 and fuel supply channel 22 show that the supplied fuel gas is cooled as it passes through the media distribution device 100, i.e., heat is input to the supplied air. Therefore, at the boundary of the fuel supply chamber 20, heat transfer achieves equalization or reduction, or even increase, of the temperature difference between the gases before they enter the fuel cell stack 200.

[0052] Figures 6A and 6B show cross-sectional views from different viewpoints of a second embodiment of the media distribution device 100. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in terms of the design of the fuel supply chamber 20.

[0053] To increase the effective area for heat transfer and improve temperature uniformity between gases, the second embodiment provides two opposite flow sections along the extension of a cylindrical air supply chamber 10. For this purpose, the fuel supply chamber 20 has an inner portion 20B and an outer portion 20A, as known from the first embodiment. The fuel supply inlet 21 first leads to the outer portion 20A of the fuel supply chamber 20, which extends along the chamber wall that borders the air supply chamber 10 by contacting the circumferential surface along the entire axial extension of the air supply chamber 10. The fuel gas flow then enters the air supply chamber 10 through the chamber wall at the axially opposite end of the air supply chamber 10 and is redirected via a fluid connection that connects the outer portion 20A to the inner portion 20B of the fuel supply chamber 20. The fuel gas flow then passes through the inner portion 20B, whose arrangement and operating principle are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0054] The outer portion 20A positioned in front of the fuel supply chamber 20 brings further heat input to the airflow within the air supply chamber 10 through further heat transfer at the chamber wall of the air supply chamber 10. As a result, the air is heated radially outward from the inside in the circumferential direction with respect to the annular cross-section of the air supply chamber 10, and also heated radially inward from the outside in contact with the outer portion 20A of the fuel supply chamber 20 at the outer periphery.

[0055] In another variant (not shown), the flow path provided by the outer portion 20A of the fuel supply chamber 20 extending onto the circumferential surface of the cylindrical air supply chamber 10 may also extend spirally around the latter to increase the effective distance and area for heat transfer. Alternatively, the flow path cross-section of the outer portion 20A may be made as flat as possible, and its contact area with the circumferential surface of the cylindrical air supply chamber 10 may be increased. (Other possible items) (Item 1) A medium distribution device (100) for distributing a gaseous medium to an assembly of multiple fuel cell stacks (200), A media distribution device comprising an air supply unit (10, 11, 12, 13) for supplying air to the fuel cell stack (200) and a fuel supply unit (20, 21, 22, 23) for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack (200), The air supply unit has a common air supply chamber (10) for distributing air supplied from a supply channel opening upstream to a plurality of discharge channels opening downstream. The fuel supply unit has a common fuel supply chamber (20) for distributing fuel supplied to the center from a supply channel opening upstream to a plurality of discharge channels opening downstream. A media distribution device wherein at least a portion of the fuel supply chamber (20) is housed within the air supply chamber (10), and the air supply chamber (10) surrounds the boundary of the fuel inlet chamber (20) at least in the housed portion of the fuel inlet chamber (20). (Item 2) The medium distribution device (100) according to item 1, wherein the fuel supply chamber (20) is housed within the air supply chamber (10), the air supply chamber (10) substantially completely encloses the boundary of the fuel supply chamber (20), and the fuel supply inlet (21) of the supply passage opening upstream of the fuel supply chamber (20) and the plurality of fuel supply channels (22) of the plurality of discharge passages opening downstream of the fuel supply chamber (20) penetrate the boundary of the air supply chamber (10). (Item 3) The medium distribution device (100) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the fuel supply chamber (20) and the air supply chamber (10) are formed substantially cylindrical and with different circumferential radii, and the fuel supply chamber (20) is housed substantially coaxially with respect to the circumferential radius within the air supply chamber (10). (Item 4) The medium distribution device (100) according to item 3, wherein the fuel supply inlet (21) substantially penetrates the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber (10) substantially in the axial direction, and the fuel supply channel (22) substantially penetrates the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber (10) substantially in the radial direction. (Item 5) The medium distribution device (100) described in item 3 or 4, wherein the air supply inlet (11) of the supply channel opening upstream of the air supply chamber (10) and the multiple air supply channels (12) of the discharge channels opening multiple downstream of the air supply chamber (10) each enter or exit substantially radially through the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber (10). (Item 6) The medium distribution device (100) according to any one of items 3 to 5, wherein the fuel supply chamber (20) comprises at least one outer portion (20A) extending along the outer surface of the boundary of the air supply chamber (10) and an inner portion (20B) housed in the air supply chamber (10), the fuel supply inlet (21) is connected to the outer portion (20A) of the fuel supply chamber (20), and the fluid connection between the outer portion (20A) and the inner portion (20B) of the fuel supply chamber (20) penetrates the boundary of the air supply chamber (10). (Item 7) A media distribution device (100) according to item 6, wherein at least a portion of the area around the boundary of the outer portion (20A) of the fuel supply chamber (20) is formed by the boundary of the air supply chamber (10). (Item 8) The flow direction of the outer portion (20A) of the fuel supply chamber (20) extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical air supply chamber (10), as described in item 6 or 7, for the medium distribution device (100). (Item 9) The flow direction of the outer portion (20A) of the fuel supply chamber (20) extends substantially spirally around the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber (10), as described in any one of items 6 to 8, for the medium distribution device (100) according to item 6 to 8. (Item 10) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein at least the air supply chamber (10) and the fuel supply chamber (20), and preferably the air supply channel (12) and the fuel supply channel (22), which are the parts that guide the medium, are made of welded tubular bodies, preferably made of heat-resistant steel. (Item 11) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 10, further comprising a base plate (50) assigned to the assembly of the fuel cell stack (200) and having an upward-facing connection side for supplying and / or discharging media in the fuel cell stack (200), wherein a plurality of air supply outlets (13) each located at one end of the air supply channel (12) penetrate the base plate (50) and open toward the connection side, and a plurality of fuel supply outlets (23) each located at one end of the fuel supply channel (22) penetrate the base plate (50) and open toward the connection side. (Item 12) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 11, further comprising an air exhaust section (30, 31, 32, 33) for exhausting air exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack (200) and a fuel exhaust section (40, 41, 42, 43) for exhausting fuel exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack (200). (Item 13) A media distribution device (100) as described in item 12, wherein the fuel discharge outlet (43) and fuel supply inlet (21) of the fuel waste section (40, 41, 42, 43) are fluidly connected to the recirculation flow. (Item 14) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 11 to 13, wherein a plurality of air outlets (33), each connected to one of a plurality of air outlet channels (32), penetrate the base plate (50) and open toward the connection side, and a plurality of fuel outlets (42), each connected to one of a plurality of channels (43), penetrate the base plate (50) and open toward the connection side. (Item 15) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 5 to 14, further comprising at least one compensating unit (60) having an axially flexible casing body in the form of a bellows, wherein the compensating unit is formed in at least one of the air supply channel (12), the fuel supply channel (22), the air discharge channel (32), and / or the air discharge channel (42). (Item 16) A media distribution device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein a short-circuit opening is provided, and the short-circuit opening connects the zones of the fuel supply section (20, 21, 22, 23) to one another. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10 Air supply chamber 11 Air supply inlet 12 Air supply channels 13 Air supply outlet 20 Fuel supply chamber 20A Outer part of fuel supply chamber 20B Inner part of the fuel supply chamber 21 Fuel supply inlet 22 Fuel supply channels 23 Fuel supply outlet 30 Air discharge chamber 31 Air exhaust inlet 32 air exhaust channels 33 Air exhaust outlet 40 Fuel discharge chamber 41 Fuel discharge inlet 42 Fuel Emission Channels 43 Fuel discharge outlet 50 base plate 60 Compensation Department 100 Media distribution device 200 fuel cell stacks

Claims

1. A medium distribution device for distributing a gaseous medium to an assembly of multiple fuel cell stacks, A media distribution device comprising an air supply unit for supplying air to the fuel cell stack and a fuel supply unit for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, The air supply unit has a common air supply chamber for distributing air supplied from a supply channel opening upstream to a plurality of discharge channels opening downstream. The fuel supply unit has a common fuel supply chamber for distributing fuel supplied to the center from a supply channel opening upstream to a plurality of discharge channels opening downstream. A media distribution device wherein at least a portion of the fuel supply chamber is housed within the air supply chamber, and the air supply chamber surrounds the boundary of the fuel supply chamber, at least in the housed portion of the fuel supply chamber.

2. The media distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel supply chamber is housed within the air supply chamber, the air supply chamber substantially completely encloses the boundary of the fuel supply chamber, and the fuel supply inlet of the supply passage opening upstream of the fuel supply chamber and the plurality of fuel supply channels of the plurality of discharge passages opening downstream of the fuel supply chamber penetrate the boundary of the air supply chamber.

3. The media distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the fuel supply chamber and the air supply chamber are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and with different circumferential radii, and the fuel supply chamber is housed within the air supply chamber substantially coaxially with respect to the circumferential radius.

4. The media distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the fuel supply inlet substantially penetrates the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber in the axial direction, and the fuel supply channel substantially penetrates the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber in the radial direction.

5. The media distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the air supply inlet of the supply channel opening upstream of the air supply chamber and the plurality of air supply channels of the discharge channels opening downstream of the air supply chamber each enter or exit substantially radially through the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber.

6. The medium distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the fuel supply chamber comprises at least one outer portion extending along the outer surface of the boundary of the air supply chamber and an inner portion housed in the air supply chamber, the fuel supply inlet is connected to the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber, and the fluid connection between the outer portion and the inner portion of the fuel supply chamber penetrates the boundary of the air supply chamber.

7. The media distribution device according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the periphery of the boundary of the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber is formed by the boundary of the air supply chamber.

8. The media distribution device according to claim 6, wherein the flow direction of the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical air supply chamber.

9. The media distribution device according to claim 6, wherein the flow direction of the outer portion of the fuel supply chamber extends substantially spirally around the cylindrical boundary of the air supply chamber.

10. The medium distribution device according to claim 5, wherein at least the air supply chamber and the fuel supply chamber, and preferably the air supply channel and the fuel supply channel, which are the parts that guide the medium, are made of welded tubular bodies, preferably made of heat-resistant steel.

11. A media distribution device according to claim 5, further comprising a base plate assigned to the assembly of the fuel cell stack, having an upward-facing connection side for supplying and / or discharging a medium in the fuel cell stack, wherein a plurality of air supply outlets, each located at one end of the air supply channel, penetrate the base plate and open toward the connection side, and a plurality of fuel supply outlets, each located at one end of the fuel supply channel, penetrate the base plate and open toward the connection side.

12. The media distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising an air exhaust unit for disposing of air exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack and a fuel exhaust unit for disposing of fuel exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack.

13. The media distribution device according to claim 12, wherein the fuel discharge outlet and fuel supply inlet of the fuel waste section are fluidly connected to the recirculation flow.

14. The media distribution device according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of air outlets, each connected to one of a plurality of air outlet channels, penetrate the base plate and open toward the connection side, and a plurality of fuel outlet channels, each connected to one of a plurality of channels, penetrate the base plate and open toward the connection side.

15. The media distribution device according to claim 14, further comprising at least one compensation unit having an axially flexible casing body in the form of a bellows, wherein the compensation unit is formed in at least one of the air supply channel, the fuel supply channel, the air discharge channel and / or the fuel discharge channel.

16. A media distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a short-circuit opening is provided, and the short-circuit opening connects the zones of the fuel supply unit to each other.

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