Fuel cell power generation system

Abstract

Reducing the risk that a fluid for which external leakage is to be suppressed leaks to the outside through a drain pipe. 【Solution means】A fuel cell, a case into which the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas inside the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case from a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case from an exhaust port provided in the case, a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the exhaust port, a drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging the water from the drain port, a water seal for water-sealing the drain outlet, and a connecting pipe connecting the exhaust pipe and the drain pipe so that the gas in the drain pipe flows into the exhaust pipe and the water in the exhaust pipe flows into the drain pipe, a fuel cell power generation system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell power generation system.

Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell system is known that includes 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

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 the exhaust gas. The 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 whose outflow to the outside is to be suppressed 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 whose outflow to the outside is to be suppressed flows out to the outside through a drain pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel cell, A case into which the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas inside the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case from a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case from an exhaust port provided in the case, a gas-liquid separator, An exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the exhaust port, A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging the water from the drain port, A water seal for water-sealing the drain outlet, A connecting pipe connecting between the exhaust pipe and the drain pipe so that the gas in the drain pipe flows into the exhaust pipe and the water in the exhaust pipe flows into the drain pipe, a fuel cell power generation system is provided.

[0007] As another aspect of the present disclosure, A fuel cell, A case into which the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, separating moisture from the exhaust gas inside the case, discharging the water inside the case to the outside of the case from a drain port provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas inside the case to the outside of the case from an exhaust port provided in the case, a gas-liquid separator, An exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the exhaust port, A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging the water from the drain port, A water seal for water-sealing the drain outlet, comprising The water seal also serves as a neutralizer for neutralizing the water from the drain outlet, a fuel cell power generation system is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the risk that a fluid for which outflow to the outside is to be suppressed flows out to the outside through the drain pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0011] Regarding the descriptions in the specifications and drawings according to each embodiment, for components having substantially the same or corresponding functional configurations, the same reference numerals may be used to omit redundant explanations. For ease of understanding, the scales of each part in the drawings may be different from the actual ones.

[0012] For directions such as parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up, down, left, right, front, and back, a deviation that does not impair the actions and effects of the embodiment is allowed. The shape of the corners is not limited to a right angle and may be rounded. For parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical, each may include substantially parallel, substantially right angle, substantially orthogonal, substantially horizontal, and substantially vertical.

[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. Similarly, for each of "substantially right angle", "substantially orthogonal", "substantially horizontal", and "substantially vertical", it is intended that they are applicable respectively as long as the relative positional relationship between two lines or two planes is within an acceptable range in manufacturing.

[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 inlet 42 and supplies it to the fuel cell stack, a coolant pump that circulates the coolant between the heat exchanger and the fuel cell stack, and the like.

[0018] The auxiliary devices included in the fuel cell 40 are devices for operating the fuel cell stack and assist the power generation operation of the fuel cell stack. The auxiliary devices may include at least one of a fuel pipe, an air pipe, an air filter, an exhaust pipe, a heat exchanger, and the like. The fuel pipe is a pipe that supplies the hydrogen SH supplied from the fuel pipe 41 to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell stack. The air pipe is a pipe that supplies the air SA supplied from the air inlet 42 to the air electrode of the fuel cell stack. The air filter removes impurities from the air SA supplied from the air inlet 42. The air purified by the air filter is supplied to the air compressor via the air pipe. The exhaust pipe discharges the exhaust gas generated in the fuel cell stack to the gas-liquid separator 50. The heat exchanger cools the coolant by exchanging heat between the coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack and a cold heat source.

[0019] The gas-liquid separator 50 separates the moisture EW contained in the exhaust gas EG discharged from the fuel cell 40. The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges the condensed water DW of the moisture EW separated from the exhaust gas EG and the exhaust gas EA from which the moisture EW has been separated from the exhaust gas EG. The water DW is what the gaseous moisture EW (water vapor) has changed into a liquid.

[0020] The gas-liquid separator 50 has a case 60 into which the exhaust gas EG discharged by the power generation of the fuel cell 40 is introduced via the introduction pipe 71. The case 60 has, for example, a three-dimensional shape of a hexahedron with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The three-dimensional shape of the case 60 is not limited to this, and other three-dimensional shapes such as a cylindrical shape may also be used.

[0021] The gas-liquid separator 50 separates the moisture EW contained in the exhaust gas EG from the exhaust gas EG inside the case 60. The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges the water DW inside the case 60 and the exhaust gas EA inside 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 EG into the case 60, and a rear surface 62 provided with an exhaust port 80 for discharging exhaust EA outside the case 60. The front surface 61 is an example of the first surface of the case 60. The rear surface 62 is an example of the second surface facing the first surface of the case 60. The front surface 61 and the rear surface 62 correspond to the side surfaces of a hexahedron and are parallel to the vertical plane.

[0023] In the gas-liquid separator 50, the exhaust EG introduced into the case 60 from the inlet 70 is separated from the moisture EW in the case 60 and then discharged outside the case 60 as exhaust EA from the exhaust port 80. Since the front surface 61 provided with the inlet 70 faces the rear surface 62 provided with the exhaust port 80, a change in the flow direction of the exhaust flowing from the inlet 70 toward the exhaust port 80 is suppressed. Thereby, the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust in the case 60 is alleviated.

[0024] When the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust in the case 60 is alleviated, the gas-liquid separation of the exhaust EG in the case 60 is promoted and an excessive pressure increase of the exhaust in the case 60 is suppressed. Thereby, the possibility that the exhaust in the case 60 (for example, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) mixes into the water DW and flows out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 can be reduced. The unreacted hydrogen is the hydrogen contained in the exhaust EG without reacting with oxygen in the fuel cell 40. Thus, the possibility that the fluid (in this case, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) that is desired to be suppressed from flowing out to the outside flows 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 the exhaust EA discharged from the exhaust port 80 to the outside of the case 60. By connecting the exhaust pipe 81 having the exhaust outlet 82 to the exhaust port 80 at the exhaust inlet 83, the 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 the exhaust pipe 81 connected to the exhaust port 80, the exhaust EA staying around the exhaust port 80 is reduced, so that the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust in the case 60 due to the stay of the exhaust EA is alleviated. For this reason, as described above, the possibility that a fluid (for example, the bubble 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) that wants to suppress the outflow to the outside flows out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 is reduced. And since the exhaust EA is discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 at a location away from the exhaust port 80, the risk of a disaster due to the exhaust EA containing unreacted hydrogen gas staying in the internal space 131 of the fuel cell power generation system 101 is reduced.

[0026] Since the exhaust EA contains a gas less dense than air, the exhaust outlet 82 may be located above the lower edge 80a of the exhaust port 80. Thereby, since the discharge of the exhaust EA from the exhaust port 80 to the exhaust outlet 82 is promoted, the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust in the case 60 is alleviated. For this reason, as described above, the possibility that a fluid (for example, the bubble 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) that wants to suppress the outflow to the outside flows out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 is reduced.

[0027] Note that the form in which the exhaust outlet 82 is located above the lower edge 80a of the exhaust port 80 may be a form in which the exhaust outlet 82 is located above the upper edge 80b of the exhaust port 80.

[0028] Since the moisture EW is denser than air, the case 60 is provided with a drain port 90 for discharging the condensed water DW of the moisture EW separated from the exhaust EG to the outside of the case 60 below the inlet 70. Thereby, the gas-liquid separator 50 can efficiently discharge the condensed water DW of the moisture EW separated from the exhaust EG from the drain port 90 to the outside of the case 60. For example, the gas-liquid separator 50 separates the moisture EW from the exhaust EG by the self-weight of the moisture EW.

[0029] The gas-liquid separator 50 discharges the condensed water DW out of the case 60 from the drain port 90 by the self-weight of the water DW condensed from the moisture EW, for example. By using the self-weight of the water DW for discharging the water DW out of the case 60, the power of a motor or the like required for discharging the water DW can be reduced or eliminated, and the water DW is efficiently discharged out of the case 60.

[0030] For example, the case 60 has a water storage region 68 for storing the water DW condensed from the moisture EW separated from the exhaust gas EG. The water storage region 68 is the lower space inside the case 60. The bottom surface 65a of the water storage region 68 is provided on the lower surface 65 of the case 60, but may also be an inner surface provided inside the case 60.

[0031] The drain port 90 is provided below the exhaust port 80. In this example, the drain port 90 is provided on the rear surface 62, but may be provided on other surfaces of the case 60 (for example, the lower surface 65 or the side surface, etc.).

[0032] The drain pipe 91 has a drain inlet 93 connected to the drain port 90 and a drain outlet 92 for discharging the water DW discharged out of the case 60 from the drain port 90. By connecting the drain pipe 91 having the drain outlet 92 to the drain port 90 with the drain inlet 93, the water DW is discharged from the drain outlet 92 at a location away from the drain port 90.

[0033] The drain pipe 91 promotes the discharge of the water DW from the drain outlet 92 by inclining downward toward the drain outlet 92.

[0034] The water seal 20 seals the drain outlet 92. The water seal 20 has a water seal tank 21 into which the water DW flows from the drain outlet 92 of the drain pipe 91, and is a device that blocks the inside of the drain pipe 91 from the atmosphere by the water stored in the water seal tank 21. The drain outlet 92 is sealed by being submerged in the water seal tank 21. The water seal 20 has an overflow pipe 22 for discharging the water overflowed from the water seal tank 21 to the drainage facility 23.

[0035] The fuel cell power generation system 101 reduces the risk that the exhaust gas (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) in the gas-liquid separator 50 flows out of the fuel cell power generation system 101 through the drain pipe 91 due to the water seal pressure caused by the water seal height H in the water seal 20.

[0036] However, due to phenomena such as an excessive pressure increase of the exhaust gas in the case 60 or a decrease in the water seal pressure due to a decrease in the water seal height H, there is a risk that the exhaust gas (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) in the case 60 of the gas-liquid separator 50 flows out to the outside through the drain pipe 91.

[0037] To reduce such a risk of external outflow, the fuel cell power generation system 101 according to the first embodiment includes a connecting pipe 30. The connecting pipe 30 connects between the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91 such that the gas in the drain pipe 91 flows into the exhaust pipe 81 and the water in the exhaust pipe 81 flows into the drain pipe 91. The connecting pipe may be referred to as a communicating pipe. By including such a connecting pipe 30, the fuel cell power generation system 101 can reduce the risk that the exhaust gas (for example, bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) in the case 60 flows out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 due to phenomena such as an excessive pressure increase of the exhaust gas in the case 60.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a comparative example when the connecting pipe 30 is not provided. Since the exhaust gas EA is discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 81, it may be easily affected by an external pressure OP such as atmospheric pressure or wind pressure. In this case, due to the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe 81, there is a risk of causing a pressure fluctuation of the exhaust gas in the case 60. Also, it is difficult to completely separate the exhaust gas EG into the exhaust gas EA and the moisture EW. Therefore, the condensed water CW of the moisture contained in the exhaust gas EA may flow back into the exhaust pipe 81 in the direction BD of the case 60 irregularly or stay in the exhaust pipe 81 to narrow the flow path 81a in the exhaust pipe 81. Similarly, in this case, due to the pressure fluctuation of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe 81, there is a risk of causing a pressure fluctuation of the exhaust gas in the case 60.

[0039] When pressure fluctuations occur in the exhaust gas within the case 60, if excessive pressure rise of the exhaust gas within the case 60 occurs, there is a risk that the exhaust gas within the case 60 (for example, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) will mix into the water DW and flow out to the outside through the drain pipe 91.

[0040] In contrast, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment in the case where there is a connecting pipe 30. In this example, the connecting pipe 30 connects between the middle of the exhaust pipe 81 and the middle of the drain pipe 91. By providing the connecting pipe 30 that connects between the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91, the pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 due to disturbances such as the external pressure OP can be released to the connecting pipe 30. As a result, the pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 are alleviated, so the pressure fluctuations within the case 60 are also alleviated. Also, by providing the connecting pipe 30 that connects between the exhaust pipe 81 and the drain pipe 91, the condensed water CW in the exhaust pipe 81 flows in the direction AD of the drain pipe 91 through the connecting pipe 30. Thereby, the backflow and stagnation of the condensed water CW in the exhaust pipe 81 are suppressed, so the pressure fluctuations in the exhaust pipe 81 are alleviated, and the pressure fluctuations within the case 60 are also alleviated.

[0041] When the pressure fluctuations of the exhaust gas within the case 60 are alleviated, as described above, the gas-liquid separation of the exhaust gas EG within the case 60 is promoted, and the excessive pressure rise of the exhaust gas within the case 60 is suppressed. Thereby, the risk that the exhaust gas within the case 60 (for example, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) will mix into the water DW and flow out to the outside through the drain pipe 91 can be reduced.

[0042] Even if the exhaust gas within the case 60 (for example, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) mixes into the water DW, it flows in the direction CD of the exhaust pipe 81 through the connecting pipe 30. Thereby, the risk that the exhaust gas within the case 60 (for example, the bubbles 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) will flow out to the outside from the drain outlet 92 of the drain pipe 91 can be reduced.

[0043] In FIG. 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. When the position of the first connection port 31 is higher than the position of the second connection port 32, it can promote the flow of gas in the drain pipe 91 through the connecting pipe 30 to the exhaust pipe 81, and can also promote the flow of water in the exhaust pipe 81 through the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 91. Since the gas in the drain pipe 91 (for example, the bubble 94 containing unreacted hydrogen) contains a gas with a lower density than air, it is easier to flow through the connecting pipe 30 to the exhaust pipe 81 above the connecting pipe 30. On the other hand, the water condensed in the exhaust pipe 81 easily flows 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 joint (for example, a cheese pipe, etc.) provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 81 at the first connection port 31. Thereby, the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81 can be easily connected. For example, the connecting pipe 30 is connected to a pipe joint (for example, a cheese pipe, etc.) provided in the middle of the drain pipe 91 at the second connection port 32. Thereby, the connecting pipe 30 and the drain pipe 91 can 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 may be 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 close to the exhaust port 80 or the exhaust inlet 83.

[0046] The connecting pipe 30 preferably extends linearly in terms of promoting the flow of gas from the drain pipe 91 to the exhaust pipe 81 or promoting the flow of water from the exhaust pipe 81 to the drain pipe 91, but it may be bent.

[0047] The straight-line distance between the first connection port 31 and the exhaust port 80 or the 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 the drain inlet 93. In the illustrated case, the straight-line distance between the first connection port 31 and the exhaust port 80 or the exhaust inlet 83 is shorter than the straight-line distance between the second connection port 32 and the drain port 90 or the drain inlet 93.

[0048] When the position of the first connection port 31 is lower than the position of the exhaust outlet 82, it is possible to promote the discharge of the gas in the drain pipe 91 from the exhaust outlet 82 through the connecting pipe 30 and the exhaust pipe 81. 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 first connection port 31 may be at the same height as the position of the exhaust outlet 82.

[0049] The position of the first connection port 31 is, for example, at the same height as the position of the exhaust port 80 or higher than the position of the exhaust port 80. Thereby, it is possible to promote the inflow of the water staying in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. That the position of the first connection port 31 is at the same height as the position of the exhaust port 80 means that the first connection port 31 intersects with the virtual horizontal plane passing through the exhaust port 80. That the position of the first connection port 31 is higher than the position of 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 substantially at the same height as the position of 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] When the exhaust pipe 81 includes a portion extending in the horizontal direction or upward, it promotes the inflow of the water staying in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust pipe 81 includes a straight pipe 84 as a pipe portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and a curved pipe 86 and a straight pipe 85 as pipe portions extending upward. The straight pipe 84, the curved pipe 86, and the straight pipe 85 communicate with each other so that the fluid can flow inside.

[0051] By connecting the first connection port 31 to a portion extending in the horizontal direction or upward, it promotes the inflow of the water staying 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 be connected to the straight pipe 84 or the straight pipe 85.

[0052] The straight pipe 84 extends at an elevation angle of 0° or more and 60° or less. The curved pipe 86 bends upward at an angle of 90° or less with respect to the direction before bending. The straight pipe 85 extends at an elevation angle of 60° or more and 90° or less.

[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 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 resin such as rubber.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust pipe 81 may have a bellows-shaped inner peripheral surface 87. When the inner peripheral surface 87 is bellows-shaped, water in the exhaust pipe 81 is likely to stay in the recesses of the bellows. In this case, by providing the connecting pipe 30, the effect of promoting the inflow of the water staying in the exhaust pipe 81 into the connecting pipe 30 is enhanced. In this example, the curved pipe 86 has a bellows-shaped inner peripheral surface 87, but the straight pipe 84 or the straight pipe 85 may have a bellows-shaped inner peripheral surface. The exhaust pipe 81 may have a smooth inner peripheral surface 87 that is not bellows-shaped.

[0055] In FIG. 1, when 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 is likely to flow into the connecting pipe 30, so the possibility of the gas in the drain pipe 91 being discharged to the outside from the exhaust outlet 82 is reduced. 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 position of the drain outlet 92.

[0056] The position of the second connection port 32 is, for example, at the same height as the position of the drain port 90 or lower than the position of the drain port 90. Thereby, the water DW easily flows from the drain port 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 position of the drain port 90 means that the second connection port 32 intersects the virtual horizontal plane passing through the drain port 90. The position of the second connection port 32 being lower than the position of the drain port 90 means that the second connection port 32 is located below the virtual horizontal plane passing through the drain port 90. In this example, the position of the second connection port 32 is approximately at the same height as the position of the drain port 90. More specifically, the second connection port 32 is located below the virtual horizontal plane passing through the upper end of the drain port 90.

[0057] In FIG. 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 the exhaust gas EA discharged from the exhaust outlet 82 to the outside, and a drain pipe 120 that discharges the water W in the ventilation device 110 to the water seal 20. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the water W from accumulating in the ventilation device 110.

[0058] The fuel cell power generation system 101 includes a housing 130. The housing 130 has a box-like shape including an internal space 131. The housing 130 has an exhaust port 132 that discharges air from the internal space 131 to the outside. The ventilation device 110 has a fan 111 that takes in air from outside the housing 130 into the internal space 131. The air VA taken into the internal space 131 by the fan 111 passes through the internal space 131 and is discharged from the exhaust port 132 to the ventilation device 110.

[0059] The ventilation device 110 mixes the air VA that ventilates the internal space 131 in the housing 130 and the exhaust gas EA discharged from the exhaust outlet 82. By mixing the air VA and the exhaust gas EA, the ventilation device 110 dilutes the exhaust gas EA with the air VA. In the ventilation device 110, the diluted exhaust gas DA obtained by diluting the exhaust gas EA with the air VA is discharged from the exhaust port 112 to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101.

[0060] The ventilation device 110 has a housing 113 and a water receiver 114.

[0061] The housing 113 is provided so as to cover the exhaust port 132 in the housing 130 and the fan 111 provided at the exhaust port 132, and to form an exhaust port 112 that exhausts the diluted exhaust gas DA to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101.

[0062] Due to the housing 113, the flow directions of the air VA and the exhaust gas EA are bent horizontally in FIG. 1, so that the air VA and the exhaust gas EA are mixed in the area RA within the housing 113. The exhaust gas EA is, for example, at a temperature of about 70°C. On the other hand, the air VA ventilating the internal space 131 is warmed by the fuel cell 40 or the like, so that it is at a temperature slightly higher than room temperature, for example, at a temperature of about 30°C. Therefore, the exhaust gas EA is cooled by the air VA. The exhaust gas EA contains water vapor. Thus, when the exhaust gas EA is cooled by the air VA, the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas EA condenses.

[0063] The water W condensed from the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas EA accumulates in the water receiver 114 due to its own weight or the like. 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 20.

[0064] By mixing the exhaust gas EA and the air VA in the ventilation device 110, the generation of white smoke can be suppressed. Since the water W condensed from the water vapor in the ventilation device 110 is discharged into the water seal 20 through the drain pipe 120, for example, it is possible to prevent the ceiling or the interior of the housing 130 from being flooded.

[0065] The fuel cell power generation system 101 may include a discharge pipe 140 for discharging the gas in the water seal 20. By providing the discharge pipe 140, the gas staying in the water seal 20 can be discharged to the outside. For example, even if the unreacted hydrogen from the drain pipe 91 accumulates in the water seal tank 21 of the water seal 20, if the concentration of the unreacted hydrogen is lower than the discharge standard, it can be discharged to the atmosphere by the discharge pipe 140.

[0066] The water seal 20 may also serve as a neutralizer that neutralizes the water from the drain outlet 92, or a neutralizer may be provided separately from the water seal 20. FIG. 1 illustrates a form in which the water seal 20 also serves as a neutralizer. By having the water seal 20 also serve as a neutralizer, the fuel cell power generation system 101 can be miniaturized compared to a form in which a neutralizer is provided separately from the water seal 20. In a form in which a neutralizer is provided separately from the water seal 20, for example, a neutralizer that neutralizes the water discharged from the overflow pipe 22 is provided on the discharge side of the overflow pipe 22 of the water seal 20.

[0067] The water seal 20 has a holding plate 16 that holds the neutralizing agent 3 in the water seal tank 21. Examples of the neutralizing agent 3 include particulate calcium carbonate. The water discharged from the drain outlet 92 is neutralized by contacting the neutralizing agent 3 and is discharged from the overflow pipe 22 to the drain facility 23 outside the fuel cell power generation system 101 in a state that meets the drainage standard (for example, pH is 5.8 or more and 8.6 or less). Therefore, the possibility that a fluid for which outflow to the outside is to be suppressed (in this case, water exceeding the pH drainage standard) flows out to the outside through the overflow pipe 22 is reduced.

[0068] The holding plate 16 preferably has at least one or more through holes 16a. Since the water and the neutralizing agent 3 can easily come into contact through the through holes 16a, the neutralization of the water is promoted.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a side view of an example of a water seal device that also serves as a neutralizer. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the front view of an example of a water seal device that also serves as a neutralizer. The water seal device 20 has a water seal tank 21 into which water flows from a drain outlet 92 of a drain pipe 91, and a lid 2 that covers the upper surface of the water seal tank 21. An airtight seal 14 is sandwiched between the upper 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 a side wall (first side wall) of the water seal tank 21. An inlet 10 in a side wall (rear wall) of the water seal tank 21 is connected to the above-mentioned drain pipe 120. A discharge port 11 in a side wall (front wall) of the water seal tank 21 is connected to the above-mentioned discharge pipe 140. An overflow pipe 22, one end of which is submerged below the water surface 15, is connected to a side wall (second side wall facing the first side wall) of the water seal tank 21. The water in the water seal tank 21 is drained from a drain hole 13 provided in the second side wall.

[0070] The water seal device 20 includes an inflow tank 17 into which water flows from the drain outlet 92, a neutralization tank 18 that neutralizes the water flowing in from the inflow tank 17, and a drainage 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 is discharged from the overflow pipe 22 via the neutralization tank 18, so that the neutralization of water is promoted.

[0071] The inflow tank 17 and the neutralization tank 18 are partitioned by a wire mesh 6 fixed to a fixing plate 7. The water from the inflow tank 17 flows into the neutralization tank 18 through the meshes of the wire mesh 6. The neutralization tank 18 and the drainage tank 19 are partitioned by a partition plate 4 in which a plurality of through holes 5 are formed. The water from the neutralization tank 18 flows into the drainage tank 19 through the through holes 5.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell power generation system according to a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration, operation, and effects as those in the first embodiment is omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 102 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is different 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 device 20 to the ventilation device 110.

[0073] By discharging the gas in the water seal 20 through the discharge pipe 140 to the ventilation device 110, the gas trapped in the water seal 20 is discharged to the outside by the ventilation device 110. Thereby, the discharge of the gas trapped in the water seal 20 to the outside is promoted, and the gas such as unreacted hydrogen in the water seal 20 is diluted by the air VA and discharged from the exhaust port 112 to the outside of the fuel cell power generation system 101.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell power generation system according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the description of the same configurations, operations, and effects as those in the first and second embodiments is omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 103 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different from the fuel cell power generation system 102 according to the second embodiment in that the water seal 20 is disposed inside the housing 130. By disposing the water seal 20 inside the housing 130, the weather resistance of the water seal 20 is improved.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell power generation system according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the description of the same configurations, operations, and effects as those in the first to third embodiments is omitted by referring to the above description. The fuel cell power generation system 104 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is different from the fuel cell power generation systems according to the first to third embodiments in that the fuel cell 40 includes a plurality of fuel cells (in this example, two fuel cells 40A and 40B).

[0076] In the fuel cell power generation system 104 of the fourth embodiment, the water seal 20 is a device shared by a plurality of fuel cells (in this example, two fuel cells 40A and 40B). By sharing the water seal 20 among a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell power generation system 104 can be miniaturized compared to a form in which the water seal 20 is provided individually for each of the plurality of fuel cells.

[0077] As described above, the embodiments have been explained. However, the above embodiments are presented as examples, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Container 2 Lid 3 Neutralizing Agent 4 Partition Plate 5 Through-Hole 6 Wire Mesh 7 Fixed Plate 8 Water Seal Pipe 9 Inlet 10 Inlet 11 Outlet 13 Drainage Opening 14 Airtight Seal 15 Water Surface 16 Holding Plate 17 Inflow Tank 18 Neutralization Tank 19 Drainage Tank 20 Water Sealer 21 Water Seal Tank 22 Overflow Pipe 23 Drainage Facility 30 Connecting Pipe 31 First Connection Port 32 Second Connection Port 40, 40A, 40B Fuel Cell 50 Gas-Liquid Separator 60 Case 61 Front Surface 62 Rear Surface 65 Bottom Surface 65a Bottom 68 Water Storage Region 70 Inlet 71 Inlet Pipe 80 Exhaust Port 80a Lower Edge 80b Upper Edge 81 Exhaust pipe 82 Exhaust outlet 83 Exhaust inlet 84, 85 Straight pipe 86 Curved pipe 87 Inner peripheral surface 90 Drain outlet 91 Drain pipe 92 Drainage outlet 93 Drainage inlet 94 Bubble 101, 102, 103, 104 Fuel cell power generation system 110 Ventilation device 111 Fan 112 Exhaust port 113 Housing 114 Water receiver 120 Drain pipe 130 Housing 131 Internal space 140 Discharge pipe

Claims

1. A fuel cell; a gas-liquid separator having a case into which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced, the gas-liquid separator separating moisture from the exhaust gas within the case, discharging the water within the case to the outside of the case through a drain outlet provided in the case, and discharging the exhaust gas within the case to the outside of the case through an exhaust outlet provided in the case; an exhaust pipe having an exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust from the exhaust port; A drain pipe having a drain outlet for discharging water from the drain outlet; A water sealer that seals the drain outlet with water; a connecting pipe that connects the exhaust pipe and the drain pipe so that gas in the drain pipe flows to the exhaust pipe and water in the exhaust pipe flows to the drain pipe.

2. the connecting pipe includes a first connection port connected to the exhaust pipe and a second connection port connected to the drain pipe, 2. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the first connection port is located higher than the second connection port.

3. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the first connection port is located lower than the exhaust outlet.

4. 4. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 3, wherein the first connection port is located at the same height as the exhaust port or higher than the exhaust port.

5. 5. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 4, wherein the exhaust pipe includes a portion extending horizontally and a portion extending upward.

6. 6. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust pipe has an inner peripheral surface in a bellows shape.

7. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the second connection port is located higher than the drain outlet.

8. 8. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 7, wherein the second connection port is located at the same height as the drain port or lower than the drain port.

9. A ventilation device that discharges the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust outlet to the outside; The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a drain pipe for discharging water in the ventilation device to the water seal.

10. 9. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge pipe for discharging gas from within the water seal.

11. A ventilation device is provided to discharge the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust outlet to the outside, The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 10 , wherein the discharge pipe discharges gas within the water seal to the ventilation device.

12. the fuel cell includes a plurality of fuel cells; 9. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the water seal is a device shared by a plurality of the fuel cells.

13. 9. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the water seal also serves as a neutralizer that neutralizes the water from the drain outlet.

14. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 13, wherein the water seal includes an inflow tank into which water flows in from the drain outlet, a neutralization tank that neutralizes the water flowing in from the inflow tank, and a drainage tank that discharges the water flowing in from the neutralization tank through an overflow pipe.

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