Power generating hot water supply system, installation structure, and installation method

Abstract

To facilitate introduction of a power generation and hot-water supply system regardless of the place where the system is installed.SOLUTION: A power generation and hot-water supply system 10 has a housing 14, an element to be fixed 11, a removable element 12, and a water heater 13. The element to be fixed 11 includes at least a fuel cell module 16 and a power conditioner 17. The power conditioner 17 converts a power generated by the fuel cell module 16 into AC power. The element to be fixed 11 is fixed inside the housing 14. The removable element 12 includes a plurality of accessories of the fuel cell module 16 that are more easily removably attached to the housing 14 than the element to be fixed 11. The water heater 13 can supply hot water by using heat generated in association with the power generation performed by the fuel cell module 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generating hot water system, an installation structure, and an installation method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known power generating and hot water supply system that supplies hot water by utilizing the electricity generated by a fuel cell module and the exhaust heat generated by the fuel cell module. It has been proposed to install a backup heat source device in a pipe shaft and to install a fuel cell unit including the components of the system other than the backup heat source device on an installation surface (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-181497 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The installation surface on which the fuel cell unit is installed may have a specified installation load, making it impossible to install the fuel cell unit, and depending on the installation location, it may be difficult to introduce the power-generating hot water system.

[0005] Therefore, in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology as described above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power generating hot water supply system, an installation structure, and an installation method that can be easily introduced regardless of the location of the installation target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a power generating hot water supply system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A housing and A fixed element includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by the fuel cell module into AC power, and is fixed within the housing; a detachable element including a plurality of auxiliary devices of the fuel cell module, which is easier to attach to and detach from the housing than the fixed element; and a water heater capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module.

[0007] The installation structure of the power generating hot water supply system according to the second aspect is as follows: A housing and A fixed element includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell module into AC power, and is fixed within the housing; a water heater capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module; and a detachable element that is an auxiliary device of the fuel cell module and is provided in the housing or the installation space of the water heater.

[0008] A method for installing a power generating hot water supply system according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: A method for installing a power generating and hot water system comprising: a housing; a fixed element that includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell module into AC power, the fixed element being fixed within the housing; a detachable element that includes a plurality of auxiliaries of the fuel cell module that are easier to attach to and detach from the housing than the fixed element; and a water heater that is capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated in conjunction with power generation by the fuel cell module, Transporting the power generating hot water system to an installation site; Selecting a detachable element that can be installed in a space in which the water heater can be installed near the installation location together with the water heater; Installing the water heater and the selected detachable element in the space; Attaching the unselected detachable elements to the housing; The housing is installed at the installation location. Installation method. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The power generating and hot water supply system, installation structure, and installation method according to the present disclosure configured as described above can be easily introduced regardless of the location of the installation target. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power generating hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power generating hot water supply system to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1, a power-generating and hot water system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed element 11, a detachable element 12, a water heater 13, and a housing 14. The power-generating and hot water system 10 may further include a cable plug 15.

[0013] The fixed element 11 is fixed to the housing 14. The fixed element 11 may be fixed to the housing 14 by a known fixing method such as screw fastening.

[0014] The fixed element 11 includes at least a fuel cell module 16 and a power conditioner 17. The fixed element 11 may further include at least one of a reforming water tank 18, a reforming water pump 19, a desulfurizer 20, a control unit 21, a gas flow meter 22, and an air flow meter 23.

[0015] The fuel cell module 16 may include a reformer and a cell stack (fuel cell stack). The reformer generates fuel such as hydrogen by causing a steam reforming reaction between a hydrocarbon gas such as city gas or LP gas, which is supplied as a raw fuel, and water. The cell stack generates power through an electrochemical reaction using an oxidant such as oxygen contained in the air and the fuel generated by the reformer. The cell stack also generates water through an electrochemical reaction. Unreacted fuel and unreacted oxidant discharged from the cell stack are combusted to provide energy for a steam reforming reaction in the reformer. The water discharged from the cell stack is discharged from the fuel cell module 16 in a high-temperature gaseous state together with combustion gas resulting from the combustion of the unreacted fuel and unreacted oxidant.

[0016] The power conditioner 17 converts the DC power generated by the cell stack into AC power. The power conditioner 17 may further adjust the voltage of the DC power generated by the fuel cell stack.

[0017] The reforming water tank 18 may store, as reforming water, water discharged from the fuel cell module 16 and condensed by heat exchange in a heat exchanger 24 described later. The reforming water may be water used in a steam reforming reaction in the reformer. The reforming water pump 19 may send the reforming water to the fuel cell module 16. The desulfurizer 20 may desulfurize the raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module 16 in order to reduce poisoning of the catalyst in the reformer. The control unit 21 may control at least the operation of the fuel cell module 16. The gas flow meter 22 may detect the flow rate of the raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module 16. The gas flow meter 22 may notify the control unit 21 of the detected flow rate of the raw fuel gas in order to control the fuel cell module 16. The air flow meter 23 may detect the flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell module 16. The air flow meter 23 may notify the control unit 21 of the detected flow rate of the air in order to control the fuel cell module 16.

[0018] The detachable element 12 may be provided inside the housing 14. The detachable element 12 includes a plurality of accessories of the fuel cell module 16 that are easier to attach to and detach from the housing 14 than the fixed element 11. The ease of attachment and detachment from the housing 14 may be achieved by differences in the attachment method, such as fastening with a screw or hooking onto a hook, the width of the space near the location where the attachment work is performed, the distance of that location from an opening in the housing 14, and the exposure of that location from the opening in the housing 14.

[0019] Alternatively, the detachable element 12 may be provided inside the housing 14 or in an installation space of the water heater 13. The installation space of the water heater 13 may be, for example, a pipe shaft in an apartment building in which water pipes, gas pipes, and the like are provided.

[0020] The attachment / detachment element 12 is an auxiliary device of the fuel cell module 16. The attachment / detachment element 12 may include at least one of a heat exchanger 24, a heat medium tank 25, a heat medium pump 26, a radiator 27, a gas pump 28, and an air blower 29.

[0021] The heat exchanger 24 may exchange heat with a heat medium, which is exhaust heat discharged as exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 16. The heat medium is, for example, a fluid with a large specific heat, such as water or antifreeze. In this embodiment, the heat medium is water. A part of the water contained in the exhaust gas may be condensed by heat exchange with the heat medium and then sent to the reforming water tank 18. The heat medium tank 25 may store the heat medium. The heat medium pump 26 may send the heat medium to the heat exchanger 24. The heat medium may be circulated between the heat exchanger 24 and the heat medium tank 25 by the delivery of the heat medium pump 26. The radiator 27 may cool the heat medium. The gas pump 28 may send raw fuel gas to the fuel cell module 16. The air blower 29 may send air containing, for example, oxygen to the fuel cell module 16 to be reacted with hydrogen in the cell stack.

[0022] The water heater 13 can supply hot water by utilizing heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module 16. For example, in a configuration in which the heat medium is water, the water heater 13 may be capable of supplying the heat medium as hot water. The water heater 13 may be capable of supplying hot water by heating clean water through heat exchange with the heat medium. The water heater 13 may have a boiler. The water heater 13 may use the boiler to heat water that has not reached the desired temperature with only the heat of the heat medium.

[0023] The housing 14 may house the fixed element 11 and the detachable element 12. A hole may be formed in the housing 14. A flow path is inserted through the hole, connecting the fixed element 11 and a part of the detachable element 12 that is attached inside the housing 14 to the detachable element 12 other than the part or the water heater 13. The flow path is, for example, a pipe for transporting raw fuel gas, a pipe for transporting exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module 16 to the heat exchanger 24, a pipe for transporting condensed water, a pipe for circulating a heat medium, a pipe for supplying heat of the heat medium to the water heater 13, a pipe for transporting air to be supplied to the fuel cell module 16, etc.

[0024] An opening may be formed in the housing 14. The opening may be covered with a lid. At least a part of the detachable element 12 may be attachable to the housing 14 on the opening side relative to the fixed element 11.

[0025] The cable plug 15 may be connected to the power conditioner 17. The cable plug 15 may be connected to, for example, an outlet provided on the outer wall of a building. Alternatively, the cable plug 15 may be inserted through a hole provided on the outer wall of a building and connected to an indoor outlet. By connecting the cable plug 15 to the outlet, AC power output from the power conditioner 17 may be supplied to a load device installed in the building.

[0026] Next, a method for installing the power-generating and hot water supply system 10 will be described below. First, the power-generating and hot water supply system 10 is transported to the installation location. For example, the detachable elements 12 do not have to be fixed to the housing 14 before transport to the installation location. In other words, the detachable elements 12 do not have to be fixed before transport. Alternatively, the fixed state of the detachable elements 12 may be released before transport. In this case, the power-generating and hot water supply system 10 is transported to the installation location without the detachable elements 12 being fixed to the housing 14. Some of the detachable elements 12 may be transported in a state where they are fixed to the housing 14.

[0027] Among all the attachment / detachment elements 12 of the power-generating hot water system 10, attachment / detachment elements 12 that can be installed in a space near the installation site where the hot water heater 13 can be installed are selected. The attachment / detachment elements 12 to be selected may be determined before transportation or at the installation site based on the volume of the space, the volume of the hot water heater 13, and the size and position of the piping actually installed in the space, etc.

[0028] The water heater 13 and the selected detachable elements 12 are installed in the space. The unselected detachable elements 12 are attached in the housing 14. When all the detachable elements 12 are installed in the space, the detachable elements 12 may not be attached to the housing 14. The unselected detachable elements 12 may or may not be fixed in the housing 14. The housing 12 to which at least the fixed elements 11 are fixed is installed at the installation location.

[0029] The power generating and hot water supply system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above includes a fixed element 11 including at least a fuel cell module 16 and a power conditioner 17, and a removable element 12 including a plurality of auxiliary devices of the fuel cell module 16, which is easier to attach to and detach from the housing 14 than the fixed element 11. In order to reduce the load of the housing 14 and the contents at the installation site, it is possible to install some of the auxiliary devices of the fuel cell module 16 in a space such as a pipe shaft in which the water heater 13 can be installed. However, since the volume of such a space differs for each dwelling unit, the auxiliary devices that can be installed differ depending on the installation location. In the power generating and hot water supply system 10 configured as described above, the installation worker can select the auxiliary devices to be placed in the installation space of the water heater 13 in the installation facility from the removable element 12. Therefore, in the power generating and hot water supply system 10, even if the selected removable element 12 is placed inside the housing 14 before installation, it can be easily removed from the housing 14, so the burden of the installation work of the power generating and hot water supply system 10 at each installation site can be reduced. In addition, in the power-generating hot water supply system 10, even if the detachable element 12 to be placed in the housing 14 is placed outside the housing 14 before installation, it can be easily attached to the housing 14, so the burden of the installation work of the power-generating hot water supply system 10 at each installation location can be reduced. As a result, the power-generating hot water supply system 10 can be easily introduced regardless of the installation target location. In addition, the power-generating hot water supply system 10 having the above-mentioned configuration can reduce the components temporarily housed in the housing 14 by removing the detachable element 12 from the housing 14. By reducing the components housed in the housing 14, the power-generating hot water supply system 10 can reduce the weight of the housing 14 including the contents, making it easier to reduce or automate the manufacturing work. In addition, in the power-generating hot water supply system 10, the weight of the housing 14 including the contents is reduced, so the housing 14 including the contents, the detachable element 12, and the water heater 13 can be loaded during transportation. Therefore, the power-generating hot water supply system 10 can improve logistics efficiency and reduce logistics costs. Furthermore, in the power generating and hot water supply system 10 having the essential components described above, the detachable element 12 can also be installed in an installation space such as a pipe shaft, making maintenance work easier.

[0030] The power generating and hot water supply system 10 of the present embodiment also includes a cable plug 15. With this configuration, the power generating and hot water supply system 10 can easily supply the generated electricity of the fuel cell module 16 to the inside of the facility via a breaker by being plugged into an indoor or outdoor outlet.

[0031] The contents of the present disclosure can be modified and amended in various ways by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, these modifications and amendments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in each embodiment, each functional unit, each means, each step, etc. can be added to other embodiments so as not to be logically inconsistent, or can be replaced with each functional unit, each means, each step, etc. of other embodiments. In each embodiment, multiple functional units, each means, each step, etc. can be combined into one or divided. In addition, each embodiment of the present disclosure described above is not limited to being implemented faithfully to each of the embodiments described above, and can be implemented by combining each feature or omitting a part as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10. Power generation and hot water supply system 11 Fixed element 12 Detachable elements 13. Water heater 14. Chassis 15 Cable Plug 16 Fuel Cell Module 17 Power conditioner 18 Reformed water tank 19 Reformed water pump 20 Desulfurizer 21 Control section 22 Gas flow meter 23 Air flow meter 24 Heat exchanger 25 Heat Transfer Tank 26 Heat Transfer Pump 27 Radiator 28 Gas Pump 29 Air Blower

Claims

1. A housing and A fixed element includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by the fuel cell module into AC power, and is fixed within the housing; a water heater that is installed in a space different from the housing and is capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module; a detachable element including a plurality of auxiliaries of the fuel cell module, which is easier to attach to and detach from the housing than the fixed element, and which is fixed within the housing or in an installation space of the water heater; Equipped with The detachable element is selectively attached to the inside of the housing and to the space in which the water heater is disposed, or is attached to the space in which the water heater is disposed. Power generating hot water system.

2. The power generating and hot water supply system according to claim 1, The detachable element includes at least one of a heat exchanger that exchanges exhaust heat from the fuel cell module with a heat medium, a heat medium tank that stores the heat medium, a radiator that cools the heat medium, a heat medium pump that delivers the heat medium to the heat exchanger, a gas pump that delivers raw fuel gas to the fuel cell module, and an air blower that delivers air to the fuel cell module. Power generating hot water system.

3. The power generating and hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, The fixed element includes at least one of a reforming water pump that sends reforming water to the fuel cell module, a reforming water tank that stores the reforming water, a desulfurizer that desulfurizes fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell module, and a control unit that controls at least the operation of the fuel cell module. Power generating hot water system.

4. In the power generating and hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The housing has a hole through which a flow path is inserted that connects a part of the detachable element that is attached inside the housing and the fixed element to the detachable element other than the part or the water heater. Power generating hot water system.

5. The power generating and hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, At least a part of a detachable element attached to the inside of the housing can be attached to the opening side of the housing relative to the fixed element. Power generating hot water system.

6. The power generating and hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A cable plug connected to the power conditioner is further provided. Power generating hot water system.

7. A housing and A fixed element includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell module into AC power, and is fixed within the housing; a water heater that is installed in a space different from the housing and is capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell module; and a detachable element that is an auxiliary of the fuel cell module and is selectively provided in the installation space of the housing and the water heater, or is provided in the installation space of the water heater. Installation structure for power generating hot water system.

8. A method for installing a power generating and hot water system comprising: a housing; a fixed element that includes at least a fuel cell module and a power conditioner that converts power generated by a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell module into AC power, the fixed element being fixed within the housing; a detachable element that includes a plurality of auxiliaries of the fuel cell module that are easier to attach to and detach from the housing than the fixed element; and a water heater that is capable of supplying hot water by utilizing heat generated in conjunction with power generation by the fuel cell module, Transporting the power generating hot water system to an installation site; Selecting a detachable element to be installed in a space in which the water heater can be installed near the installation location together with the water heater; Installing the water heater and the selected detachable element in the space; If there is any of the detachable elements that have not been selected, attach the detachable elements to the housing; The housing is installed in the installation location different from the space. Installation method.

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