fuel cell device

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell device that allows easy attachment and detachment of piping connected to auxiliary equipment and has excellent maintainability.SOLUTION: At least one of pipes connecting auxiliary equipment is configured to include a first flow path 711, a second flow path 712, and a third flow path 713 extending in directions approximately 90 degrees different from each other, and is rotatable around the first flow path 711, and a rotating pipe connection portion (inflow joint 84) that connects the third flow path 713 and the auxiliary equipment includes a connection port 86 that opens on the locus of the rotating third flow path 713. In other words, since the connection port with the auxiliary equipment is provided on the locus around which the piping is rotated, the piping and the auxiliary equipment can be easily connected by simply rotating the first flow path 711 as an axis. Therefore, the maintainability can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell device. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuel cell devices are known that generate electricity using a hydrogen-containing fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas (air) and supply the electricity to an external device. Such fuel cell devices are equipped with numerous pipes through which fluids such as fuel and water necessary for power generation flow, and the fuel cell module and multiple auxiliary devices that make up the system are connected to each other via these pipes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-049783 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fuel cell systems have auxiliary equipment that requires periodic replacement to maintain power generation performance. Furthermore, when a malfunction occurs, the auxiliary equipment may need to be removed for repair. For such maintenance, the piping connected to the auxiliary equipment must be removed. However, the system was not designed to allow for easy piping removal, so improvements were needed to make the replacement process easier.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a fuel cell device that allows easy attachment and detachment of piping and is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a fuel cell that generates electricity using a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a fluid flow path through which a fluid used to operate the fuel cell flows; a plurality of auxiliary devices provided in the fluid flow path; the fluid flow path includes a plurality of pipes disposed between the plurality of auxiliary machines; At least one of the pipes has a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path that extend in directions that are different from each other by approximately 90°. By one tube It is composed of The second flow path is provided between the first flow path and the third flow path, and The first flow path is rotatable about an axis, The rotary pipe connecting portion that connects the third flow path and the auxiliary device is The tip draws Opening in orbit is provided A fuel cell device having a connection port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] With the above-described configuration, the piping can be easily attached and detached, resulting in a fuel cell device that is easy to maintain. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fuel cell device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a fuel supply device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the desulfurizer outflow piping removed from the desulfurizer. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of the desulfurizer. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a vessel lid of a desulfurizer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, showing the operation of the present invention.

[0010] The present invention relates to a structure of a fluid flow path through which a fluid used in the operation of a fuel cell flows, in which at least one of the pipes connecting the auxiliary equipment is configured with a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path extending in directions that differ by approximately 90° from each other and is rotatable around the first flow path, and a rotary pipe connection part connecting the third flow path to the auxiliary equipment has a connection port that opens on the orbit of the rotating third flow path. In other words, because the connection port with the auxiliary equipment is located on the orbit about which the pipe is rotated, the pipe and the auxiliary equipment can be easily connected simply by rotating the first flow path around the axis. This improves maintainability.

[0011] Furthermore, the piping is configured by connecting the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path in this order, which allows connection to the auxiliary equipment with the shortest piping length, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0012] The connection port is also designed to be visible from the maintenance face that is opened and closed during maintenance. This allows the piping to be removed by rotating it toward the maintenance face, and the connection position can also be seen, further improving maintainability.

[0013] The desulfurizer, which is an accessory, has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet on the top surface of the container, the diameters of which are different, and a rotary pipe connection part is attached to either the fuel inlet or the fuel outlet. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect piping connections during maintenance, even in a desulfurizer in which both the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are provided on the top surface. [Example]

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell device according to this embodiment. The fuel cell device 100 includes a fuel cell module 1, and a plurality of accessories for operating the fuel cell module 1, such as a first heat exchanger 2, a heat storage tank 3, a condensed water tank 4, a radiator 5, an air supply device 14, a fuel supply device 15, and a reforming water supply device 16, are housed in a housing 50. It is not necessary to house all of the above-mentioned devices within the housing 50; for example, the first heat exchanger 2 and the heat storage tank 3 may be provided outside the housing 50. It is also possible to omit some of the above-mentioned devices in a fuel cell device.

[0016] The fuel cell module 1 is constructed by housing, inside a box-shaped storage container 10, a fuel cell 11 that generates electricity using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas, and a reformer 12 that generates fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 11.

[0017] The configuration of the fuel cell 11 is not particularly limited, but may have, for example, a cell stack structure in which a plurality of fuel cell units are arranged. The fuel cell 11 having a cell stack structure is constructed, for example, by fixing the lower end of each fuel cell unit to a manifold using an insulating bonding material such as a glass sealant.

[0018] The reformer 12 steam reforms raw fuel gas such as natural gas or LP gas to generate fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 11. The reformer 12 is connected to a fuel supply device 15 that supplies the raw fuel gas and a reforming water supply device 16 that supplies reforming water, and the raw fuel gas and the reforming water undergo a reforming reaction in the heated reformer 12 to generate fuel gas containing hydrogen.

[0019] The fuel cell 11 is supplied with fuel gas produced in the reformer 12 and air (oxygen-containing gas) introduced by the air supply device 14. As the fuel gas passes through the fuel cell, it reacts with the oxygen-containing gas to generate electricity. The fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas that are not used for power generation join together at the top of the fuel cell 11 and are burned. This combustion of the fuel gas generates high-temperature exhaust gas, which heats the reformer 12. The exhaust gas produced in this way within the fuel cell module 1 is supplied to the first heat exchanger 2.

[0020] The first heat exchanger 2 is connected to a heat storage tank 3, a heat medium pump P1, and a radiator 5 via piping, forming a first heat medium circulation line HC1. A heat medium is introduced into this first heat medium circulation line HC1, and in the first heat exchanger 2, heat exchange occurs between this heat medium and the exhaust gas, heating the heat medium. Water or the like can be used as the heat medium, and the heat storage tank 3 stores the heat medium whose temperature has been increased by heat exchange. The heat medium stored in the heat storage tank 3 is sent to the radiator 5 to be cooled, and then exchanges heat with the exhaust gas again in the first heat exchanger 2 before returning to the heat storage tank 3. As a result, high-temperature heat medium is stored in the heat storage tank 3 from the top, forming a temperature stratification.

[0021] In addition, a condensed water tank 4 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2 via a condensed water recovery path 20. When the exhaust gas generated in the fuel cell module 1 is cooled by heat exchange, the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is separated into water and gas, and the separated water is recovered in the condensed water tank 4 through the condensed water recovery path 20. In the condensed water tank 4, the recovered water is purified by removing impurities through an ion exchanger (not shown) or the like. The purified water is supplied to the reformer 12 by the water supply device 16 and used as reforming water. Meanwhile, the gas from which the water has been removed passes through the exhaust path 21 and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 50.

[0022] The fuel supply device 15 that supplies raw fuel to the reformer 12 is provided with accessories such as a first solenoid valve 150, a pressure sensor 151, a desulfurizer 152, a gas flow meter 153, a fuel pump 154, and a second solenoid valve 155 on a raw fuel flow path 22 that connects to a fuel supply source. The reforming water supply device 16 that supplies reforming water to the reformer 12 is provided with accessories such as a reforming water pump 160 on a reforming water flow path 23 that connects to the condensed water tank 4. The air supply device 14 that supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell module 1 is provided with accessories such as an air flow meter 140 and a blower 141 on an oxygen-containing gas flow path 24. Note that the accessories listed here are merely examples, and the configuration may include other accessories.

[0023] Furthermore, the fuel cell device 100 is provided with a control device 30 that controls the operation of various devices, as well as a power supply adjustment unit (power conditioner) 40 that converts the DC power generated by the fuel cell module 1 into AC power and adjusts the amount of the converted electricity supplied to an external load.

[0024] The fuel cell device 100 may also include a second heat exchanger 6, a heat pump P2 that circulates the heat medium from the heat storage tank 3, and a second heat medium circulation line HC2 that includes piping connecting these. In the second heat medium circulation line HC2, tap water supplied from the outside via a supply flow path 25 is heated in the second heat exchanger 6 using the high-temperature heat medium stored in the heat storage tank 3. The heated water can be supplied to a reheating device such as an external water heater via a supply flow path 26. The fuel cell device 100 may be a so-called monogeneration system that does not supply hot water to the outside.

[0025] As described above, the fuel cell device 100 has fluid flow paths through which fluids used in the operation of the fuel cell 11 flow. The fluids include raw fuel, water, and air, and the raw fuel flow path 22, the condensed water recovery flow path 20, the reforming water flow path 23, and the oxygen-containing gas flow path 24 in this embodiment are examples of fluid flow paths.

[0026] 2 is an external perspective view of the fuel cell device. The exterior case 50 of the fuel cell device 100 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and includes a bottom plate 51, a top panel 52, and multiple side panels 53 to 56. The side panels include a left side panel 53, a right side panel 54, a front panel 55, and a rear panel 56. The fuel cell device 100 also has a maintenance surface set in advance for maintenance, and the top panel 52 and some of the multiple side panels 53 to 56 are maintenance panels that are removed during maintenance. In this embodiment, the right side panel 54 and the front panel 55 serve as the maintenance panels.

[0027] The right side panel 54 is made up of an upper panel 541 and a lower panel 542. The upper panel 541 has an openable cover 541a, and removing this cover 541a allows the power switch and breaker switch of the fuel cell device 100 to be operated. During maintenance, the upper panel 541 can be removed alone while the lower panel 542 remains attached. The lower panel 542 is connected to flow paths for raw fuel, water, and the like via couplings. Examples of couplings include a raw fuel coupling 60 connected to the raw fuel flow path 22, a water supply coupling 61 connected to the water supply flow path 27, a water supply coupling 62 connected to the water supply flow path 28, and a drainage coupling 63 connected to the drainage flow path 25.

[0028] Next, the structure for connecting the fluid flow paths and the auxiliary devices in the fuel cell device of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. In the following, the raw fuel flow path 22 will be described as an example of the fluid flow path.

[0029] 3 is a diagram illustrating an excerpt from a fuel supply device. A raw fuel flow path 22, which is an example of a fluid flow path, constitutes a fuel supply device 16. The fuel supply device 16 is equipped with, in order from upstream, a first solenoid valve 150, a pressure sensor 151, a desulfurizer 152, and a gas flow meter 153, as well as pipes that connect these components to form a flow path: a solenoid valve supply pipe 70, a desulfurizer supply pipe 71, and a flow meter supply pipe 72. The pipes are copper pipes with high thermal conductivity, and are appropriately bent.

[0030] 1, the first solenoid valve 150 is configured by arranging two solenoid valves 150a, 150b in a casing, and by opening and closing these solenoid valves 150a, 150b, the raw fuel flow path 22 is switched between an open state and a closed state, thereby controlling the supply and cut-off of raw fuel to the fuel cell device 100. A solenoid valve outgoing pipe 70 and a desulfurizer outgoing pipe 71 are connected to the first solenoid valve 150. The solenoid valve outgoing pipe 70 is connected to a fuel supply source external to the fuel cell device 100 via a raw fuel joint 60, and the desulfurizer outgoing pipe 71 is connected to a desulfurizer 152 for removing sulfur contained in the raw fuel.

[0031] The desulfurizer 152 has a cylindrical container body 80 filled with a desulfurizing agent and a container lid 81 attached to the top of the container body 80. The container lid 81 has a fuel inlet 82 through which the raw fuel flows and a fuel outlet 83 through which the raw fuel flows after passing through the desulfurizing agent and having sulfur removed. The raw fuel that flows into the desulfurizer 152 from the fuel inlet 82 flows downward within the container body 80, turns around at the lower end of the container body 80, and flows upward. As the raw fuel flows through the container body 80, sulfur is adsorbed by the desulfurizing agent. An inlet joint 84 is attached to the fuel inlet 82, and the desulfurizer-directed piping 71 is connected via the inlet joint 84. Similarly, an outlet joint 85 is attached to the fuel outlet 83, and the flow meter-directed piping 72 is connected via the outlet joint 85.

[0032] Here, the desulfurizer-going piping 71 includes a first flow path 711, a second flow path 712, and a third flow path 713 that extend in directions that differ by approximately 90° from each other. That is, the second flow path 712 is formed by bending the piping so as to form an angle of approximately 90° with the first flow path 711, and the third flow path 713 is formed by bending the piping so as to form an angle of approximately 90° with the second flow path, and the third flow path 713 also forms an angle of approximately 90° with the first flow path 711.

[0033] The first flow path 711 is connected to the first solenoid valve 151, which is an accessory on the upstream side of the piping, and is provided so as to be rotatable around the connection part with the first solenoid valve 151. Therefore, when the desulfurizer-supply piping 71 rotates around the first flow path 711 as an axis, the second flow path 712 corresponds to the radius of the rotation circle, and the third flow path 713 corresponds to the tangent to a circle whose radius is the second flow path 712. In addition, the third flow path 713 is connected to the desulfurizer 152, which is an accessory on the downstream side of the piping. In this configuration, the third flow path 713 is connected to the fuel inlet 82 of the desulfurizer 152 via the inlet joint 84, and the inlet joint 84 serves as the rotating pipe connection part.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a diagram of the desulfurizer with the desulfurizer-supply piping removed from it, and Fig. 5 is a diagram of the desulfurizer viewed from above. In Fig. 5, the trajectory of the third flow path 713 when the desulfurizer-supply piping 71 is rotated around the first flow path 711 is indicated by a dashed line. The inlet joint 84 is L-shaped and has a connection port 86 to which the third flow path 713 is connected, and this connection port 86 opens onto the trajectory of the third flow path 713 indicated by the dashed line. This allows the desulfurizer-supply piping 71 to be easily attached to and detached from the connection port 86 simply by rotating it around the first flow path 711.

[0035] The desulfurizer 152 removes sulfur contained in the raw fuel by utilizing the adsorption effect of a desulfurizing agent. Because the amount of sulfur components that a desulfurizing agent can adsorb is limited, continued use of the fuel cell system 100 gradually reduces its sulfur removal performance. Therefore, the desulfurizer 152 is periodically replaced with a new one before the desulfurizing agent reaches the end of its life. To replace the desulfurizer 152, the maintenance panel is removed, and the connection between the fuel inlet 82 and the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 and the connection between the fuel outlet 83 and the flowmeter supply pipe 72 are disconnected. At this time, the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 can be easily removed from the desulfurizer 152 by rotating it around the first flow path 711, as described above. After replacing the desulfurizer 152 with a new one, the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 can be rotated in the opposite direction. In this way, the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 can be easily attached and detached simply by rotating it around the first flow path 711.

[0036] In this embodiment, the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 is described as a rotatable pipe when replacing the desulfurizer 152, but the flow meter supply pipe 72 may be made rotatable.

[0037] Furthermore, the fuel cell system 100 has other auxiliary equipment in addition to the desulfurizer 152 that requires periodic replacement and maintenance. For example, ion exchange resins that remove impurities from condensed water to purify it, and air filters that remove dust particles from the air are examples of auxiliary equipment that require maintenance. Therefore, by applying the above-described connection structure not only to the piping for the raw fuel but also to the piping that forms the flow path for water or air, it is possible to improve maintainability. Furthermore, it may be applied to the connection of auxiliary equipment other than those exemplified, assuming that replacement will occur in the event of a malfunction.

[0038] The right side panel 54 of the fuel cell device 100 is set as a maintenance panel. By making the connection port 86 of the inlet joint 84 visible from the maintenance side, when the piping is pulled toward you to remove it, the first flow path 711 rotates, making it easy to remove. Conversely, when connecting the piping, the connection can be made securely.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the desulfurizer supply pipe 71 includes the first flow path 711, the second flow path 712, and the third flow path 713, which are arranged in this order. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a flow path extending in the same direction as the third flow path 713 may be formed between the first flow path 711 and the second flow path 712, or a flow path extending in the same direction as the first flow path 711 may be added between the second flow path 712 and the third flow path 713. Furthermore, the flow paths other than the first flow path 711, the second flow path 712, and the third flow path 713 do not need to be at 90° angles to the other flow paths. In other words, as long as the first flow path 711, the second flow path 712, and the third flow path 713 are provided and extend in directions that are 90° apart from one another, the first flow path 711 serves as a rotation axis, and the third flow path 713 is configured to be connected to an auxiliary device, the pipes can be rotated for attachment and detachment.

[0040] However, if the first flow path 711, the second flow path 712, and the third flow path 713 are provided consecutively in this order, the number of steps required to bend the piping is minimized, and the first solenoid valve 150 and the desulfurizer 152 can be connected using the shortest piping length. However, many auxiliaries are provided inside the fuel cell device 100, and if the piping is arranged in a complicated manner, it may be difficult to ensure space for rotation. Therefore, to avoid other auxiliaries and piping, other piping may be sandwiched between the first flow path 711, the second flow path 712, and the third flow path 713 as necessary.

[0041] 6 is a diagram showing the vessel lid of a desulfurizer. Vessel lid 81 of desulfurizer 152 is provided with cylindrical fuel inlet 82 and fuel outlet 83, and the diameters of fuel inlet 82 and fuel outlet 83 are designed to be different sizes (φa<φb). If fuel inlet 82 and fuel outlet 83 are provided close to each other, there is a risk of connecting the wrong pipes. However, by making the diameters different, it is possible to prevent the wrong pipes from being connected.

[0042] Furthermore, the fuel inlet portion 82 and the fuel outlet portion 83 are designed to be at different heights from the top surface of the container lid 81 (Ha > Hb). An inlet portion fitting 84 and an outlet portion fitting 85 are attached to the fuel inlet portion 82 and the fuel outlet portion 83, respectively, and these fittings may be secured with a fastening member (not shown) to prevent them from coming loose. A quick fastener or the like is used as the fastening member. By making the heights of the fuel inlet portion 82 and the fuel outlet portion 83 different, interference between the quick fasteners can be prevented, allowing the fuel inlet portion 82 and the fuel outlet portion 83 to be located close to each other, improving design flexibility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 11 Fuel Cell 152 Desulfurizer 20 Condensate recovery channel 22 Raw fuel flow path 23 Reformed water flow path 24 Oxygen-containing gas flow path 70 Solenoid valve supply piping 71 Desulfurizer supply piping 711 First Channel 712 Second Channel 713 Third Channel 72 Flow meter supply pipe 82 Fuel inlet 83 Fuel outflow section 84 Inlet joint 86 Connection port

Claims

1. a fuel cell that generates electricity using a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a fluid flow path through which a fluid used to operate the fuel cell flows; a plurality of auxiliary devices provided in the fluid flow path; the fluid flow path includes a plurality of pipes disposed between the plurality of auxiliary machines; at least one of the pipes is configured by a single pipe having a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path extending in directions that are mutually different by approximately 90°, the second flow path being provided between the first flow path and the third flow path, and being rotatable about the first flow path; A fuel cell device, wherein a rotating pipe connection portion that connects the third flow path and the auxiliary device has a connection port that has an opening on the path that is traced by the tip of the rotating third flow path.

2. 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are continuous in this order.

3. 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the connection port is provided so as to be visible from a maintenance surface that is opened and closed during maintenance.

4. As one of the auxiliary machines, a desulfurizer is provided to remove sulfur from the raw fuel, The desulfurizer has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet on the top surface of a container filled with a desulfurizing agent, The fuel inlet and the fuel outlet have different diameters, 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary pipe connection portion is attached to either the fuel inlet portion or the fuel outlet portion.

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