fuel cell device

Abstract

To provide a fuel battery device with an excellent convenience by executing a water filling in the case of executing the water filling even when an ambient temperature is low by appropriately setting an execution condition of the water filling.SOLUTION: In a temperature detected by a first temperature sensor (an external temperature thermistor TH7) for detecting the external temperature or a temperature correlated with the external temperature in the case where a water filling request to a water tank 3 is received, a water filling is permitted in the case of a first temperature band, a circulation pump (a heating medium pump P1 and a heat application pump P2) is driven in the case of a second temperature band that is lower than the first temperature band to permit the water filling in the case of detecting a rotation, the water filling is not permitted in the case of not detecting the rotation, and the water filling is not permitted in the case of a third temperature band that is lower than the second temperature band. Even in the case where an ambient temperature is not high, and there is a possibility that a freezing occurs, it is determined that the freezing actually not occurs if the circulation pump can be driven, and the water filling is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 the outside. Heat is emitted from the fuel cell as it generates power. Therefore, fuel cell devices are equipped with a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the exhaust heat from the fuel cell and a heat medium, a circulation flow path through which the heat medium circulates, and a heat storage tank that stores the heat medium. The exhaust heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell is recovered as a heat medium and stored in the heat storage tank. This heat medium is then used for hot water supply, heating, etc. Water is generally used as the heat medium.

[0003] In such fuel cell devices, before starting power generation, the heat storage tank is filled with water, a process known as "filling with water." However, in winter, when temperatures are low, there is a possibility that the water may freeze. If water is filled in such a situation, it is possible that freezing will occur inside the piping. If the water freezes inside the piping, the water filling cannot be completed, an error may be issued, and in the worst case, the piping may be damaged. To address this problem, Patent Document 1 sets water supply conditions related to temperature, and if the water supply conditions are met, it is determined that there is no risk of freezing and water filling is carried out. If there is a risk of freezing, water filling is not carried out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-194665 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A fuel cell device cannot generate electricity unless the water tank is filled with water. Therefore, for user convenience, it is best to fill the tank with water as much as possible before generating electricity. In other words, even when the temperature is low, it is best to set the conditions so that water is filled as long as it will not actually freeze.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a highly convenient fuel cell device that can perform water filling even when the temperature is low by appropriately setting the conditions for water filling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates electricity using a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a circulation path through which water used for power generation of the fuel cell circulates; a circulation pump that is provided in the circulation path and circulates water; a water tank for storing water; a water supply flow path for supplying water from an external water source to the water tank; a first temperature sensor that detects an outside air temperature or a temperature correlated with the outside air temperature; a control device for controlling the power generation of the fuel cell; When the control device receives a request to fill the water tank with water, When the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is in a first temperature range, water filling is permitted; In the case of a second temperature zone lower than the first temperature zone, an instruction is given to drive the circulation pump, and when rotation of the circulation pump is detected, water filling is permitted, and when rotation of the circulation pump is not detected, water filling is not permitted; In the case of a third temperature range that is lower than the second temperature range, the fuel cell device does not allow water filling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] With the above configuration, if the circulation pump can be rotated even when the temperature is low, it is determined that freezing will not occur and water filling is carried out. This eases the conditions for starting power generation operation, making the fuel cell device highly convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a water filling determination process. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of re-determination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, showing the operation of the present invention.

[0011] The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a circulation path through which water used for power generation circulates, a circulation pump for circulating the water, and a water tank for storing water. When a request to fill the water tank is received, the device permits water filling if a first temperature sensor detects the ambient temperature or a temperature correlated with the ambient temperature detects a first temperature range. If the temperature is in a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range, the device instructs the circulation pump to operate. The device permits water filling if the rotation of the circulation pump is detected, prohibits water filling if the rotation of the circulation pump is not detected, and prohibits water filling if the temperature is in a third temperature range lower than the second temperature range. In other words, multiple temperature conditions are set, and even if the ambient temperature is not high enough to cause freezing, if the circulation pump can be operated, the device determines that freezing will not actually occur and proceeds with water filling. In this way, incorporating the operation of the circulation pump into the determination conditions results in a more relaxed start condition for power generation operation, resulting in a highly convenient fuel cell device.

[0012] If water filling is not permitted, the system transitions to a water filling standby state, and in the water filling standby state, water filling is permitted if the re-determination conditions are met. As a result, if it is determined that water filling is possible during the standby state, water filling can be carried out.

[0013] The device also includes a second temperature sensor provided in the circulation path and a third temperature sensor provided in the water supply path, and the re-determination conditions include conditions related to the temperatures detected by the first, second, and third temperature sensors. Re-determination is performed when the previous determination did not permit water filling, i.e., when there is a high possibility that the water has frozen. Therefore, by including conditions related to the outside air temperature and the temperature of the water flow path in the re-determination conditions, water filling can be permitted only when it is determined that the water is not frozen.

[0014] The re-evaluation conditions also include detecting the rotation of the circulation pump. When re-evaluating, by detecting the rotation of the circulation pump in addition to the temperature of the flow path through which the water flows, it is possible to reliably determine that freezing will not occur and then permit water filling.

[0015] Furthermore, if a predetermined time has passed while the device is in the water filling standby state, water filling is prohibited and a notification of this prohibition is sent to the user, thereby letting the user know that water filling has not been carried out. [Example]

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The fuel cell 11 is supplied with fuel gas produced in the reformer 12 and air (oxygen-containing gas) introduced by an air supply device 14. As the fuel gas passes through the fuel cell, it reacts with the oxygen-containing gas to generate electricity. The space between the fuel cell 11 and the reformer 12 is the combustion section 13, and the fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas that are not used for power generation join together in the combustion section 13 and are burned. High-temperature exhaust gas is produced by the combustion of this fuel gas, and the reformer 12 is heated by this heat. The exhaust gas produced in this way within the fuel cell module 1 is supplied to the first heat exchanger 2.

[0022] 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. In this embodiment, water is 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 and 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, a high-temperature heat medium is stored in the heat storage tank 3 from the top, forming a temperature stratification.

[0023] A supply flow path 25 for replenishing water is connected to the heat storage tank 3. The supply flow path 25 branches off from a supply flow path 26 connected to an external water supply source, and is provided with a water supply valve 25a along the way for opening and closing the flow path. When the fuel cell device 100 is installed or when the water level in the heat storage tank 3 falls below a predetermined level during operation, tap water is supplied to the heat storage tank 3 through the supply flow path 25 by opening the water supply valve 25a.

[0024] The heat storage tank 3 is also provided with a water level detection means 7 for monitoring the amount of water in the heat storage tank 3, and a heater 8 for heating the heat medium. As the water level detection means, a known water level sensor such as a float sensor or a capacitance sensor can be used, which detects the presence of water when the amount of water in the heat storage tank 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and detects the absence of water when the amount is below the predetermined amount. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the water level detection means 7 is provided in one location, but multiple water level detection means 7 may be provided in the vertical direction to detect the water level at multiple locations.

[0025] The heater 8 is disposed in the heat storage tank 3 and heats the water in the heat storage tank 3. For example, when the outside air temperature is low and there is a risk of the water freezing in the fuel cell device 100, electricity can be passed through the heater 8 to raise the water temperature and prevent freezing. Furthermore, when the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 11 exceeds the amount of power consumed by the consumer, electricity can be passed through the heater 8 to consume the excess power.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 is connected 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 is connected 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 filter 140, an air flow meter 141, and an air blower 142 on an oxygen-containing gas flow path 24. Note that the accessories listed here are merely examples, and the configuration may include other accessories.

[0028] The fuel cell device 100 also includes 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 26 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 via a supply flow path 27 to a reheating device such as an external water heater.

[0029] Furthermore, the fuel cell device 100 includes a plurality of temperature detection means, such as temperature sensors and thermistors, for measuring the temperatures of various parts inside and outside the housing 50.

[0030] Temperature detection means TH1 to TH6 for measuring the temperature of the heat medium are provided in the flow paths through which the heat medium flows, such as the first heat medium circulation line HC1 and the second heat medium circulation line HC2.

[0031] For example, a tank low thermistor TH1 and a tank high thermistor TH2 are provided as means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium in the heat storage tank 3. The tank low thermistor TH1 detects the temperature of the relatively low-temperature heat medium in the heat storage tank 3 and is provided at the bottom of the heat storage tank 3. The tank high thermistor TH2 detects the temperature of the relatively high-temperature heat medium in the heat storage tank 3 and is provided on the second heat medium circulation line HC2 near the heat storage tank 3. In addition, a heat medium low thermistor TH3 and a heat medium high thermistor TH4 are provided as means for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circulation line HC1. The heat medium low thermistor TH3 is provided between the heat medium pump P1 and the first heat exchanger 2 and detects the temperature of the heat medium cooled by the radiator 5 and flowing into the first heat exchanger 2. The heat medium high thermistor TH4 is provided between the first heat exchanger 2 and the heat storage tank 3 and detects the temperature of the heat medium after passing through the first heat exchanger 2. Furthermore, the supply flow path 26 is provided with a water inlet thermistor TH5 that detects the temperature of water supplied from the outside, and the delivery flow path 27 is provided with a water outlet thermistor TH6 that detects the temperature of water heated by the second heat exchanger 6.

[0032] Within the fuel cell module 1, there are provided a central temperature sensor TC1 that detects the temperature of the central part of the fuel cell 11, and a combustion section temperature sensor TC2 that detects the temperature of the combustion section 13 where fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas not used for power generation are combusted.

[0033] An outside temperature thermistor TH7 is also provided to detect the ambient temperature of the fuel cell device 100. This outside temperature thermistor TH7 may directly measure the outside temperature, or may measure the temperature of a portion inside the housing 50 that has a correlation with the outside temperature.

[0034] The thermistor and temperature sensor are examples of temperature detection means, and the temperature to be detected and the location of the sensor are not limited to those in this embodiment.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The control device 30 is connected to the auxiliary devices and various sensors that make up the fuel cell system 100, and controls the operation of the fuel cell system 100 based on values ​​detected by the various sensors and instructions from a remote control (not shown).

[0037] In the fuel cell device 100 configured as described above, when the control device 30 receives an instruction to start operation, it determines whether water is stored in the heat storage tank 3 from the detection result of the water level sensor 7, and fills the heat storage tank 3 with water if it determines that there is no water in the heat storage tank 3. The instruction to start operation can be given, for example, from a remote control provided in the user's home or an operation board operated by a maintenance worker.

[0038] Incidentally, in winter, the outside temperature may drop below freezing. If water filling is performed when the outside temperature is extremely low, it is possible that the piping inside the fuel cell device 100 will freeze. If the water freezes in the piping, water filling cannot be completed, an error may be issued, and in the worst case, the piping may be damaged. Therefore, before filling the water, the control device 30 performs a water filling determination to determine whether water filling is possible.

[0039] The water filling determination determines whether there is a possibility of freezing based on the temperature detected by the ambient temperature thermistor TH7. Specifically, multiple temperature ranges are set as thresholds for determination, and whether water filling is permitted is determined based on the temperature range to which the temperature detected by the ambient temperature thermistor TH7 belongs. In this embodiment, three temperature ranges are set in descending order of temperature: the first temperature range, the second temperature range, and the third temperature range. The first temperature range is a temperature range in which freezing will definitely not occur. The third temperature range is a temperature range in which freezing will definitely occur or is extremely likely to occur. Furthermore, the second temperature range, which is located between the first and third temperature ranges, is a temperature range in which whether freezing will occur or not cannot be determined solely from the detection result of the ambient temperature thermistor TH7.

[0040] Therefore, the control device 30 permits water filling when the temperature detected by the outside air temperature thermistor TH7 is in the first temperature zone, and does not permit water filling when it is in the third temperature zone. If the temperature is in the second temperature zone, which is between the first and third temperature zones, the control device 30 drives the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2. In other words, even if the temperature is not so high that it is difficult to say for sure that the water will not freeze, it can be determined that the water will not freeze if the pumps (in this embodiment, the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2) arranged in the water flow path are rotating. Therefore, if pump rotation is detected, water filling is permitted. Conversely, if pump rotation is not detected, it is determined that the water has frozen, and water filling is not permitted.

[0041] In this way, by incorporating the operation of the pump in addition to the outside temperature into the judgment criteria, it is possible to determine that freezing will not occur and to perform water filling not only in the first temperature range but also in the second temperature range as long as the pump is rotating. If one were to try to determine whether or not to fill the tank with water based solely on temperature, water filling would be possible in the first temperature range, but in the second temperature range, it would be impossible to know for sure whether or not the tank would freeze, and safety would prevent water filling. According to this embodiment, water filling can be performed in the second temperature range as long as the pump is rotating, resulting in a more relaxed start condition for power generation operation and a more convenient fuel cell device.

[0042] When the control device 30 permits the water filling, the control device 30 opens the water supply valve 25 a and water is supplied to the heat storage tank 3 through the supply flow path 25 .

[0043] Furthermore, if water filling is not permitted, a message indicating that water filling is not possible may be displayed on the remote control or the like. Furthermore, the user may be given the option of canceling water filling or waiting for the outside temperature to rise and automatically retrying water filling. If retry is selected, the device will transition to a water filling standby state and a re-determination will be made. Alternatively, the device may be configured to automatically re-determine water filling without displaying a message indicating that water filling is not possible.

[0044] 2 is a flowchart of the water filling determination. When the control device 30 receives an instruction to start power generation, it determines whether the water level sensor 7 detects the presence of water (Step 1). If the water level sensor 7 detects the presence of water, the heat storage tank 3 is already filled with water and there is no need to fill it with water, so the determination flow ends. If the water level sensor 7 detects the absence of water, a water filling determination is performed to determine whether water filling is possible.

[0045] First, it is determined whether the temperature detected by the outside temperature thermistor TH7 is in the first temperature range (for example, 7°C or higher) (Step 2). If the detected temperature is 7°C or higher, water filling is immediately permitted and the process moves to the water filling step. On the other hand, if the detected temperature is below 7°C, it is next determined whether the temperature is in the second temperature range (4°C or higher) (Step 3).

[0046] If the detected temperature is 4°C or higher and in the second temperature zone, the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 are then driven (step 4). In step 4, the heat transfer pump P1 is driven at a duty of 40% and the heat supply pump P2 is driven at 5500 rpm. The pumps can be driven for a short time of 1 second or less.

[0047] Next, the control device 30 determines whether the rotation of the heat medium pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 has been detected (Step 5). If the rotation of both the heat medium pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 is detected, water filling is permitted and the process proceeds to the water filling step. However, if the rotation of either the heat medium pump P1 or the heat supply pump P2 is not detected, water filling is not permitted and the process proceeds to Step 6.

[0048] Also, if the detected temperature in step 3 is less than 4°C, the outside air temperature is in the third temperature zone, so water filling is not permitted and the process proceeds to step 6.

[0049] In step 6, a pop-up will appear on the remote control and the system will enter standby mode. The pop-up will inform the user that water filling has not been performed and allow the user to select "Yes" or "No" to retry water filling. For example, it may say something like, "Water filling will wait because the outside temperature is low. Do you want to start water filling automatically when the outside temperature rises?"

[0050] If "No" is selected in step 7, the flow ends and the system transitions to standby power generation. If "Yes" is selected, the system transitions to re-evaluation.

[0051] In the re-determination, it is determined whether to perform water filling based on the re-determination conditions. The re-determination conditions can be set based on, for example, the air temperature and the temperature of the flow path through which water flows. In this embodiment, the re-determination of water filling is performed based on the temperatures detected by the outside air temperature thermistor TH7, the heat medium low thermistor TH3 provided in the first heat medium circulation line HC1, and the water inlet thermistor TH5 provided in the supply flow path 26. Note that the heat medium low thermistor TH3 detects the temperature of the water flowing through the first heat medium circulation line HC1 during normal power generation operation, but since water is not flowing during the re-determination, it detects the temperature of the flow path itself.

[0052] A re-evaluation indicates that the previous water filling evaluation did not allow water filling, meaning that there is a high possibility of freezing. Therefore, the re-evaluation conditions are based on the outside air temperature and the temperature of the water flow path, and water filling is permitted only when it is determined that the water is definitely not frozen. For example, the temperatures detected by the outside air temperature thermistor TH7, the heat medium low thermistor TH3, and the water inlet thermistor TH5 are compared with threshold values, and if the temperatures detected by all of these thermistors are above the threshold value, it is determined that the temperature conditions are met. The temperature conditions are evaluated at predetermined intervals.

[0053] If the temperature conditions are met, the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 may be driven to determine whether the pumps are rotating. If the pumps are rotating, it can be determined with more certainty that the water is not frozen.

[0054] In addition, when the re-evaluation is started, a timer inside the control device 30 is started, and when the timer count reaches a predetermined time or more, it is determined that an abnormal condition has occurred, water filling is prohibited, and a notification is given that an abnormal condition has occurred or that water filling has been prohibited.

[0055] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the re-determination, which starts when the water filling determination mentioned above does not allow water filling and the user instructs a retry.

[0056] When the re-evaluation is started, the control device 30 first activates a timer to start counting (step 11). This timer measures the time that the re-evaluation flow continues. Next, it is determined whether the timer count has exceeded a predetermined time (step 12). In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 72 hours, and if the timer count is 72 hours or more, it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred, an abnormality is notified, and the flow ends.

[0057] If the answer in step 12 is YES, that is, if the timer count is less than 72 hours, it is determined whether the temperature condition among the re-determination conditions is met (step 13). The temperature condition is that the temperature detected by the outside air temperature thermistor TH7 is higher than 6°C, the temperature detected by the heat medium low thermistor TH3 is higher than 2°C, and the temperature detected by the inlet water thermistor TH5 is higher than 2°C. If all of these conditions are met, it is determined that the temperature condition is met and the process moves to the next step (step 14). If the temperature condition is not met, the process returns to step 12 and continues the determination.

[0058] In step 14, the heat transfer pump P1 is driven at a duty of 40% and the heat supply pump P2 is driven at 5500 rpm, and then it is determined whether the rotation of the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 has been detected (step 15). If the rotation of both the heat transfer pump P1 and the heat supply pump P2 is detected, it is determined that there is no risk of freezing, and water filling is permitted and the process moves to the water filling process. At the same time, the timer count is also cleared. If the rotation of either the heat transfer pump P1 or the heat supply pump P2 is not detected, water filling is not permitted.

[0059] If pump rotation is not detected in step 15, the process waits for a predetermined time in step 16, and then returns to step 12 to continue the determination. The wait time is, for example, 10 minutes.

[0060] While the re-evaluation is being performed, the fact that the re-evaluation is in progress may be displayed on the remote control. For example, a message such as "Waiting for water filling. Water filling will start automatically when the outside temperature rises" may be displayed.

[0061] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the outside air temperature is lower than the temperature at which freezing is guaranteed, if the pump is rotating, it is possible to determine that freezing will not occur and to perform water filling. As a result, the conditions for starting power generation operation are relaxed, resulting in a highly convenient fuel cell device.

[0062] In addition, if water filling is not permitted, a re-determination is made, and the conditions for this re-determination include conditions related to the outside air temperature and the temperature of the water flow path, so that water filling can be permitted when it is detected that the water is definitely not frozen. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Fuel Cell Module 3. Heat storage tank (water tank) 11 Fuel Cell 25 Replenishment channel (water supply channel) 26 Supply channel (water supply channel) 30 Control device HC1 First heat transfer medium circulation line (circulation path) HC2 Second heat transfer medium circulation line (circulation path) P1 Heat transfer pump (circulation pump) P2 Heat pump (circulation pump) TH3 Heat Transfer Medium Low Thermistor (Second Temperature Sensor) TH5 Water inlet thermistor (third temperature sensor) TH7 Outside temperature thermistor (first temperature sensor)

Claims

1. a fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates electricity using a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a circulation path through which water used for power generation of the fuel cell circulates; a circulation pump that is provided in the circulation path and circulates water; a water tank for storing water; a water supply flow path for supplying water from an external water source to the water tank; a first temperature sensor that detects an outside air temperature or a temperature correlated with the outside air temperature; a control device for controlling the power generation of the fuel cell; When the control device receives a request to fill the water tank with water, When the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is in a first temperature range, water filling is permitted; In the case of a second temperature zone lower than the first temperature zone, an instruction is given to drive the circulation pump, and when rotation of the circulation pump is detected, water filling is permitted, and when rotation of the circulation pump is not detected, water filling is not permitted; A fuel cell device that does not allow water filling when the temperature is in a third temperature range that is lower than the second temperature range.

2. 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the control device transitions to a water filling standby state when water filling is not permitted, and permits water filling in the water filling standby state when a re-determination condition is satisfied.

3. a second temperature sensor provided in the circulation path; a third temperature sensor provided in the water supply flow path, 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the re-determination conditions include conditions relating to temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor.

4. 4. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein the re-determination condition includes detection of rotation of the circulation pump.

5. 5. The fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the control device prohibits water filling if a predetermined time has elapsed in the water filling standby state, and notifies the user that water filling has been prohibited.

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