Power generation systems and mobile homes

Abstract

To provide a power generating system and a mobile house capable of continuing power generation of a fuel cell even when water supply is interrupted.SOLUTION: A power generating system includes: a water storage tank 10 capable of storing water; a fuel cell 20 capable of generating electricity using fuel and capable of using water supplied from the water storage tank 10 to discharge waste heat generated along with electricity generation to the outside as hot water; a buffer tank 30 capable of storing hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20; and a pipe 40 formed so as to supply water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system and a mobile home equipped with a fuel cell. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technology for a power generation system equipped with a fuel cell has been publicly known, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system equipped with a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using fuel. In this system, the electricity generated by the fuel cell can be supplied to household loads.

[0004] On the other hand, in order to continue generating electricity from a fuel cell, it is necessary to supply water to utilize the exhaust heat, and when the exhaust heat becomes full, it is necessary to periodically discharge that exhaust heat. However, in the event of a disaster, the water supply may be cut off and the fuel cell may not be able to continue generating electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-48992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a power generation system and a mobile home that can continue to generate power from a fuel cell even in the event of a water outage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0008] That is, in claim 1, a water storage tank capable of storing water, a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using fuel and capable of discharging waste heat generated by power generation to the outside as hot water by utilizing water supplied from the water storage tank, a buffer tank capable of storing the hot water discharged from the fuel cell, and a flow path formed so that water can be supplied from the buffer tank to the water storage tank, a first switching unit that switches whether or not to supply water from the buffer tank to the water storage tank; and a control unit that controls the first switching unit to enable the supply of water from the buffer tank to the water storage tank when the hot water in the buffer tank drops to a predetermined temperature. It is equipped with the following.

[0009] In claim 2, The water tank is connected to a water supply. It is something.

[0010] In claim 3, A power generation system comprising a water storage tank capable of storing water, a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using fuel and capable of discharging waste heat generated by power generation to the outside as hot water using water supplied from the water storage tank, a buffer tank capable of storing the hot water discharged from the fuel cell, and a flow path formed to allow water to be supplied from the buffer tank to the water storage tank, wherein the water storage tank is connected to a water supply, and the power generation system is capable of supplying hot water to a hot water supply destination using the hot water discharged from the fuel cell, and a second switching unit that, when water can be supplied from the water supply to the water storage tank, allows the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the hot water supply destination and prevents the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the buffer tank, and, when water cannot be supplied from the water supply to the water storage tank, prevents the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the hot water supply destination and allows the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the buffer tank. It is something.

[0011] In claim 4, A mobile home equipped with the power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention has the following effects.

[0015] According to claim 1, even if the water supply is cut off, the fuel cell can continue to generate electricity.

[0016] In claim 2, Under normal circumstances, the fuel cell continues to generate electricity by using tap water to remove the exhaust heat from the fuel cell. It is possible.

[0017] In claim 3, Even in the event of a water outage, fuel cells will continue to generate electricity. It is possible. Furthermore, during normal operation, the fuel cell can continue to generate electricity by using clean water to remove the exhaust heat from the fuel cell.Furthermore, the fuel cell can continue to generate electricity while utilizing the exhaust heat.

[0018] In claim 4, Even in the event of a water outage, fuel cells will continue to generate electricity. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit and the like. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing control by a control unit. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the normal flow of water. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing the flow of water during a water outage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A power generation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0023] The power generation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 generates power using a fuel cell 20, which will be described later, and the like. In this embodiment, a portion of the configuration of the power generation system 1 is provided in a mobile home 2. The mobile home 2 has a living space and is configured to be mobile. The mobile home 2 may be configured to be mobile by itself, or may be mobile by being transported by other means of transportation (such as a truck). An example of the mobile home 2 is a trailer house. The power generated by the power generation system 1 is supplied to the power loads (such as lighting and air conditioning) of the mobile home 2.

[0024] The power generation system 1 is configured as follows so that it can continue to generate power even in the event of a disaster. The power generation system 1 mainly comprises a water storage tank 10, a fuel cell 20, a buffer tank 30, piping 40, a switching unit 50, a drainage detection sensor 60, a temperature sensor 70, and a control unit 80.

[0025] The water storage tank 10 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of storing water. The water storage tank 10 does not necessarily have to be installed in the mobile home 2, but can be installed anywhere, such as in a disaster prevention base facility. The water storage tank 10 is connected to a water supply A and is configured to be able to store clean water supplied from the water supply A. More specifically, the water storage tank 10 is configured so that clean water is supplied from the water supply A and at the same time, an equal amount of clean water is discharged so that the contents of the water storage tank 10 are periodically replaced. As a result, a constant amount of clean water is always stored in the water storage tank 10.

[0026] The water storage tank 10 is connected to a water supply B provided within the mobile home 2 via a pipe 40 (first pipe 41) described below. By providing the water storage tank 10 in this manner, clean water supplied from the water supply A can be supplied to the water supply B via the water storage tank 10.

[0027] The water storage tank 10 also has a water supply port separate from the part connected to the water supply system A. This allows water (such as water for relief supplies) to be supplied to the water storage tank 10 from the water supply port when there is a shortage of clean water in the water storage tank 10.

[0028] The fuel cell 20 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that generates electricity using gas fuel such as hydrogen. In this embodiment, the fuel cell 20 is installed in a mobile home 2. LPG is used as the gas fuel. The fuel cell 20 includes a power generation unit 21 and a hot water storage tank 22.

[0029] The power generation unit 21 is a power generation section of the fuel cell 20. The power generation unit 21 is composed of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) or a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a control section, and the like.

[0030] The hot water storage tank 22 stores heat (exhaust heat) generated when the power generation unit 21 generates electricity as hot water. The hot water storage tank 22 is connected to the water storage tank 10 via piping 40 (first piping 41 and second piping 42) described below. The water supplied from the water storage tank 10 is heated in the hot water storage tank 22 by the heat (exhaust heat) generated when the power generation unit 21 generates electricity. The hot water storage tank 22 stores the heated water (hot water). The hot water storage tank 22 is connected to a hot water supply unit C (which supplies hot water for showers, baths, etc.) provided in the mobile home 2 via piping 40 (third piping 43) described below. This allows the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 22 to be supplied to the hot water supply unit C.

[0031] The fuel cell 20 configured as described above will no longer be able to generate power using the power generation unit 21 when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 22 reaches its maximum capacity (when the hot water storage tank 22 is full and can no longer store heat). Therefore, the fuel cell 20 is configured to discharge hot water from the hot water storage tank 22 when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 22 reaches its maximum capacity. In this way, the fuel cell 20 continues to generate power by using water supplied from the water storage tank 10 and discharging the waste heat generated during power generation to the outside as hot water.

[0032] The buffer tank 30 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of storing hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20. The buffer tank 30 does not necessarily have to be installed in the mobile home 2, but can be installed anywhere, such as in a disaster prevention base facility. The buffer tank 30 is connected to the hot water storage tank 22 via piping 40 (third piping 43 and fourth piping 44) described below. This allows hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 22 to be supplied to the buffer tank 30. The buffer tank 30 is also connected to the water storage tank 10 via piping 40 (fifth piping 45) described below. This allows water discharged from the buffer tank 30 to be supplied to the water storage tank 10.

[0033] The buffer tank 30 is made of a material that dissipates heat as easily as possible, such as aluminum. The buffer tank 30 is also formed to have a structure that dissipates heat as easily as possible, such as having heat dissipation fins. In other words, the buffer tank 30 is formed to promote cooling of the hot water inside the buffer tank 30.

[0034] 1 constitutes a water flow path. The pipes 40 include a first pipe 41, a second pipe 42, a third pipe 43, a fourth pipe 44, and a fifth pipe 45.

[0035] The first pipe 41 is provided to connect the water storage tank 10 and the water supply B. By providing the first pipe 41 in this manner, the water stored in the water storage tank 10 can be supplied to the water supply B provided inside the mobile home 2. Therefore, the tap water can be used inside the mobile home 2.

[0036] The second pipe 42 is provided to connect the middle part of the first pipe 41 to the fuel cell 20. By providing the second pipe 42 in this manner, the water stored in the water storage tank 10 can be supplied to the fuel cell 20.

[0037] The third piping 43 is provided to connect the hot water storage tank 22 of the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C. By providing the third piping 43 in this manner, hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 22 can be supplied to the hot water supply unit C provided in the mobile home 2. Therefore, hot water can be used in the mobile home 2.

[0038] The fourth pipe 44 is provided to connect the middle part of the third pipe 43 to the buffer tank 30. By providing the fourth pipe 44 in this manner, the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 can be supplied to the buffer tank 30.

[0039] The fifth pipe 45 is provided to connect the buffer tank 30 and the water storage tank 10. This allows the water stored in the buffer tank 30 to be supplied to the water storage tank 10 via the fifth pipe 45.

[0040] The piping 40 formed in this manner is appropriately provided with a pump (not shown) for circulating water within the piping 40, and by operating the pump, water can be circulated between the water storage tank 10, the fuel cell 20 (hot water storage tank 22), and the buffer tank 30 via the piping 40.

[0041] 1 and 2 switches between allowing and not allowing water to flow through the pipe 40. The switching unit 50 includes a first valve 51, a second valve 52, a third valve 53, and a fourth valve .

[0042] The first valve 51 is provided midway along the first pipe 41. The first valve 51 is provided so as to be able to switch between allowing and not allowing water to be supplied from the water storage tank 10 to the water main B. Specifically, opening the first valve 51 allows water to be supplied from the water storage tank 10 to the water main B. On the other hand, closing the first valve 51 prevents water from being supplied from the water storage tank 10 to the water main B.

[0043] The second valve 52 is provided in the middle of the third pipe 43. The second valve 52 is provided so as to be able to switch between allowing and not allowing the supply of water (hot water) from the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C. Specifically, opening the second valve 52 allows the supply of water from the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C. On the other hand, closing the second valve 52 prevents the supply of water from the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C.

[0044] The third valve 53 is provided midway through the fourth pipe 44. The third valve 53 is provided so as to be able to switch between allowing and not allowing the supply of water from the fuel cell 20 to the buffer tank 30. Specifically, opening the third valve 53 allows the supply of water from the fuel cell 20 to the buffer tank 30. On the other hand, closing the third valve 53 prevents the supply of water from the fuel cell 20 to the buffer tank 30.

[0045] The fourth valve 54 is provided midway through the fifth pipe 45. The fourth valve 54 is provided so as to be able to switch between allowing and not allowing the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10. Specifically, opening the fourth valve 54 allows the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10. On the other hand, closing the fourth valve 54 prevents the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10.

[0046] 1 and 2 detects drainage from the hot water storage tank 22 of the fuel cell 20. The drainage detection sensor 60 is provided in the third pipe 43. More specifically, the drainage detection sensor 60 is provided between the hot water storage tank 22 and the portion where the third pipe 43 and the fourth pipe 44 are connected.

[0047] 1 and 2 detects (measures) the temperature of the water stored in the buffer tank 30. The temperature sensor 70 is provided inside the buffer tank 30.

[0048] 2 controls the operation of the switching unit 50. The control unit 80 is provided so as to be able to input (receive) the detection results of the drainage detection sensor 60 and the temperature sensor 70. The control unit 80 controls the operation of the switching unit 50 based on the detection results of the drainage detection sensor 60 and the temperature sensor 70.

[0049] In the power generation system 1 configured as described above, under normal circumstances (when there is no interruption in the water supply A, including when water can be supplied to the water storage tank 10 from the water supply A even during a disaster), clean water is supplied to the fuel cell 20 from the water supply A via the water storage tank 10. The fuel cell 20 stores hot water produced from the exhaust heat generated during power generation and the supplied clean water in the hot water storage tank 22. The fuel cell 20 discharges hot water from the hot water storage tank 22 in response to a hot water demand from the hot water supply unit C, and supplies the hot water to the hot water supply unit C. As described above, the fuel cell 20 also discharges the hot water in the hot water storage tank 22 when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 22 reaches its maximum capacity (when the hot water storage tank 22 is full and can no longer store heat). In this case, the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 is used appropriately in the hot water supply unit C, for example, to fill a bathtub with hot water. In this way, under normal circumstances, the fuel cell 20 uses clean water supplied from the water supply A, and discharges waste heat generated during power generation to the outside, thereby continuing to generate power.

[0050] However, in the event of a disaster, there may be a water outage in the water supply A. If this occurs, water cannot be supplied from the water supply A to the fuel cell 20, and therefore it becomes impossible to remove exhaust heat using the water, and there is a risk that power generation will not be able to continue.

[0051] Here, in the power generation system 1, as described above, a certain amount of clean water is always stored in the water storage tank 10, so that this certain amount of water is secured even during a water outage. Furthermore, the power generation system 1 is provided with a buffer tank 30 that can temporarily store the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20. This makes it possible to lower the temperature of the hot water in the buffer tank 30 to a certain extent and then return it to the fuel cell 20. Therefore, even in the event of a water outage due to a disaster or other reason, the water stored in the water storage tank 10 can be used (circulated) to remove the waste heat from the fuel cell 20. This allows the fuel cell 20 to continue generating power.

[0052] In the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment, the flow of water is controlled by the control unit 80. The control by the control unit 80 will be described below with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. At the start of the control shown in Fig. 3, the first valve 51 and the second valve 52 are open (allowing the flow of water), and the third valve 53 and the fourth valve 54 are closed (disabling the flow of water).

[0053] In step S11, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the water supply to the waterworks A has been cut off.

[0054] If the control unit 80 determines that the water supply A is cut off as shown in Fig. 5 ("YES" in step S11), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the control unit 80 determines that the water supply A is not cut off as shown in Fig. 4 ("NO" in step S11), the control unit 80 ends the control shown in Fig. 3.

[0055] In step S12, the control unit 80 closes the first valve 51 and the second valve 52. This disables the supply of water from the water storage tank 10 to the tap B and the hot water supply unit C (see FIG. 5).

[0056] After performing the process of step S12, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S13.

[0057] In step S13, the control unit 80 determines whether or not water has been discharged from the fuel cell 20. In this process, the control unit 80 makes this determination based on the detection result of the water discharge detection sensor 60.

[0058] In step S14, the control unit 80 opens the third valve 53. As a result, the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 is supplied to the buffer tank 30 (see FIG. 5).

[0059] After performing the process of step S14, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S15.

[0060] In step S15, the control unit 80 determines whether the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to a temperature lower than the temperature (approximately 40 to 50°C) of the hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 22 of the fuel cell 20. Furthermore, since the lower the temperature of the water supplied to the fuel cell 20, the easier it is to remove waste heat, the predetermined temperature is preferably set to as low a temperature as possible (a temperature close to the ambient temperature), for example, 30°C. In this process, the control unit 80 makes this determination based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 70.

[0061] If the control unit 80 determines that the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature ("YES" in step S15), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the control unit 80 determines that the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature ("NO" in step S15), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S17.

[0062] In step S16, the control unit 80 opens the fourth valve 54. This causes the water in the buffer tank 30 to be supplied to the water storage tank 10 (see FIG. 5).

[0063] After performing the process of step S16, the control unit 80 returns the process to step S15.

[0064] On the other hand, in step S17, the control unit 80 closes the fourth valve 54. This disables the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10 (see FIG. 4).

[0065] When the fourth valve 54 is closed, the amount of water in the buffer tank 30 increases due to the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 22, while the water in the water storage tank 10 decreases because the water in the water storage tank 10 is supplied to the hot water storage tank 22. In this way, the amount of water in the water storage tank 10 decreases until the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 drops below a predetermined temperature, so it is preferable that the capacity of the water storage tank 10 be set to a level that will not cause the water in the water storage tank 10 to run out. Furthermore, if there is a shortage of water in the water storage tank 10, water for relief supplies and the like can be supplied separately from the water supply port of the water storage tank 10.

[0066] After performing the process of step S17, the control unit 80 ends the control shown in FIG.

[0067] By controlling the switching unit 50 in this manner, water can be circulated between the water storage tank 10, the fuel cell 20, and the buffer tank 30. This allows the fuel cell 20 to continue generating electricity even if the water supply A is interrupted.

[0068] Specifically, in the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, under normal circumstances (NO in step S11 in FIG. 3), the first valve 51 and the second valve 52 are open, making it possible to use tap water and hot water within the mobile home 2.

[0069] On the other hand, when the water supply A is cut off (YES in step S11), as shown in Figure 5, the third valve 53 is opened (step S14) to temporarily store the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 in the buffer tank 30, and after the temperature of the water in the buffer tank 30 drops to a predetermined temperature (YES in step S15), the fourth valve 54 is opened (step S16) to return the water to the water storage tank 10. By circulating the water in this way, even if the water supply is cut off during a disaster or other such event, it is possible to use the water to remove the waste heat from the fuel cell 20, and ultimately to continue generating electricity from the fuel cell 20.

[0070] As described above, the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: a water storage tank 10 capable of storing water; a fuel cell 20 capable of generating electricity using fuel and discharging waste heat generated by power generation as hot water to the outside by utilizing water supplied from the water storage tank 10; a buffer tank 30 capable of storing hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20; a pipe 40 (flow path) formed so as to be able to supply water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10; It is equipped with the following.

[0071] With this configuration, even if the water supply is interrupted, the fuel cell 20 can continue to generate electricity. Specifically, by temporarily storing the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 in the buffer tank 30, it is possible to lower the water temperature and then return it to the fuel cell 20 (via the water storage tank 10), so even in the event of a water outage due to a disaster or other reason, the water stored in the water storage tank 10 can be used (circulated) to remove the waste heat from the fuel cell 20. This allows the fuel cell 20 to continue generating electricity.

[0072] The power generation system 1 according to this embodiment also includes a fourth valve 54 (first switching unit) that switches between allowing and not allowing the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10.

[0073] This configuration makes it easier to ensure that the fuel cell 20 continues to generate electricity. Specifically, the fourth valve 54 (first switching unit) can disable the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10 until an appropriate timing arrives (for example, until the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 drops below a predetermined temperature (for example, 30°C)), and can enable the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10 at the appropriate timing. In this way, by switching between enabling and disabling the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10 using the fourth valve 54 (first switching unit), the power generation of the fuel cell 20 can be continued.

[0074] In addition, the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a control unit 80 that controls the fourth valve 54 (step S16 in FIG. 3) to enable the supply of water from the buffer tank 30 to the water storage tank 10 when the hot water in the buffer tank 30 drops to a predetermined temperature (YES in step S15 in FIG. 3).

[0075] This configuration makes it easier to ensure that the fuel cell 20 continues to generate electricity. Specifically, the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20 can be automatically returned to the fuel cell 20 after it has cooled to a predetermined temperature, making it possible to remove the exhaust heat from the fuel cell 20 and thereby allowing the fuel cell 20 to continue generating electricity.

[0076] The water storage tank 10 is connected to a water supply A.

[0077] With this configuration, under normal circumstances, the fuel cell 20 can continue to generate electricity by removing the exhaust heat from the fuel cell 20 using clean water.

[0078] Moreover, the power generation system 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: Hot water can be supplied to the hot water supply section C (hot water supply destination) using the hot water discharged from the fuel cell 20, When clean water can be supplied from the water supply A to the water storage tank 10 (NO in step S11 of Figure 3), the second switching unit (second valve 52 and third valve 53) enables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C and disables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell 20 to the buffer tank 30; when clean water cannot be supplied from the water supply A to the water storage tank 10 (YES in step S11 of Figure 3), the second switching unit (second valve 52 and third valve 53) disables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell 20 to the hot water supply unit C (step S12 of Figure 3) and enables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell 20 to the buffer tank 30 (step S14 of Figure 3).

[0079] With this configuration, it is possible to utilize the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 20 while allowing the fuel cell 20 to continue generating electricity. Specifically, under normal circumstances (when clean water can be supplied from the water supply A to the water storage tank 10), the exhaust heat from the fuel cell 20 can be used in the hot water supply section C (hot water supply), while during a water outage (when clean water cannot be supplied from the water supply A to the water storage tank 10), water that should be returned to the water storage tank 10 is prevented from being used for hot water supply, thereby allowing the fuel cell 20 to continue generating electricity even during a water outage.

[0080] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0081] For example, in this embodiment, the power generation system 1 is installed in a mobile home 2 such as a trailer house, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be installed in any building such as an ordinary house.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell 20 uses LP gas as fuel, but if the power generation system 1 is installed in an ordinary house, the fuel cell 20 may use city gas as fuel.

[0083] Furthermore, a floor heating system may be provided between the hot water storage tank 22 of the fuel cell 20 and the buffer tank 30, and the hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 22 may be used for the floor heating system before being supplied to the buffer tank 30. This reduces the time required for the water temperature in the buffer tank 30 to drop to a predetermined temperature, since the water temperature has already dropped by the time the water is supplied to the buffer tank 30.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, the buffer tank 30 is made of a material and has a structure that easily dissipates heat, but the third piping 43 connecting the hot water storage tank 22 and the buffer tank 30 may also be made of a material and has a structure that easily dissipates heat.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one water storage tank 10 and buffer tank 30 are used for one mobile home 2 (fuel cell 20), but one water storage tank 10 and buffer tank 30 may also be used for multiple mobile homes 2 (fuel cells 20).

[0086] Furthermore, the mobile home 2 (trailer house) on which the power generation system 1 is installed may be equipped with a solar power generation unit in addition to the fuel cell 20 as a power generation configuration. The mobile home 2 may also be equipped with a storage battery that can charge and discharge the electricity generated by the fuel cell 20 or the solar power generation unit. The mobile home 2 may also be equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator, lighting, ventilation equipment, etc., allowing it to be used for glamping, etc. Furthermore, in the event of a disaster, the mobile home 2 can be used as a disaster prevention base.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water storage tank 10 and the buffer tank 30 are provided in the disaster prevention base facility, but they may also be provided in the mobile home 2.

[0088] As described above, the mobile home 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with the power generation system 1.

[0089] With this configuration, even if the water supply is interrupted, the fuel cell 20 can continue to generate electricity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Power generation system 2. Mobile Homes 10. Water Tank 20 Fuel Cell 30 Buffer Tank 40 Piping 50 Switching section 52 Second valve 53 Third Valve 54 Fourth Valve 80 Control Unit

Claims

1. a water storage tank capable of storing water; a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using fuel and discharging waste heat generated during power generation as hot water to the outside by utilizing water supplied from the water storage tank; a buffer tank capable of storing hot water discharged from the fuel cell; a flow path formed to allow water to be supplied from the buffer tank to the water storage tank; a first switching unit that switches whether or not water is supplied from the buffer tank to the water storage tank; a control unit that controls the first switching unit to enable the supply of water from the buffer tank to the water storage tank when the hot water in the buffer tank has dropped to a predetermined temperature; Equipped with Power generation system.

2. The water storage tank is connected to a water supply. The power generation system according to claim 1 .

3. A water storage tank capable of storing water; a fuel cell capable of generating electricity using fuel and discharging waste heat generated during power generation as hot water to the outside by utilizing water supplied from the water storage tank; a buffer tank capable of storing hot water discharged from the fuel cell; a flow path formed to allow water to be supplied from the buffer tank to the water storage tank; A power generation system comprising: The water tank is connected to a water supply system, The power generation system includes: Hot water can be supplied to a hot water supply destination using hot water discharged from the fuel cell, a second switching unit that, when clean water can be supplied from the waterworks to the water storage tank, enables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the hot water supply destination and disables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the buffer tank, and, when clean water cannot be supplied from the waterworks to the water storage tank, disables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the hot water supply destination and enables the supply of hot water from the fuel cell to the buffer tank; Power generation system.

4. A mobile home equipped with a power generation system described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images