fuel cell device

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell device that includes a condensate recovery unit which, of a compact size though, can reliably process and drain condensate without being affected by disturbance.SOLUTION: A condensate recovery unit 4 includes a processing chamber 71 that is provided with an ion exchange resin, a reservoir chamber 72 that stores condensate, and a neutralizing chamber 73 that is provided with a neutralizer and has a first exhaust opening 61 to eject excess condensate. Provided with a first communication opening 75 for the processing chamber 71 and the reservoir chamber 72 to communicate, a second communication opening 76 for the processing chamber 71 and the neutralizing chamber 73 to communicate, and a third communication opening 77 for the reservoir chamber 72 and the neutralizing chamber 73 to communicate, the processing chamber 71, the reservoir chamber 72, and the neutralizing chamber 73 communicate with two other chambers. When the processing chamber 71 is affected by disturbance and its water level suddenly rises, for example, it is possible to reliably process and eject condensate, as condensate can be flowed from the processing chamber 71 into the neutralizing chamber 73 and exhausted.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 source. In such fuel cell devices, exhaust gas containing water vapor is discharged from the fuel cell during power generation. Therefore, a water-sustained operation is commonly performed in which the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is cooled to condense and recover the water vapor. After purifying the recovered condensed water, the water vapor is supplied to a reformer and used as reforming water for steam reforming.

[0003] The recovered condensed water is purified using ion exchange resin and stored in a water tank, while excess condensed water not used as reforming water is discharged outside the device as wastewater. Condensed water cannot be discharged as is because it contains dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide, which are part of the exhaust gas, lowering its pH value. Therefore, it is neutralized with a neutralizing agent such as calcium carbonate to raise the pH value before being discharged. Therefore, a fuel cell device capable of water-sustained operation requires a purification means for purifying the condensed water and a neutralization means for neutralizing the condensed water.

[0004] Meanwhile, fuel cell devices are required to be compact, but if the condensed water purification means and neutralization means are provided as separate devices, space for their placement is required within the housing, making miniaturization difficult. Furthermore, piping is required to connect the respective devices, increasing component costs. To solve these problems, a condensed water recovery device has been proposed in which the condensed water purification means and neutralization means are arranged within a single container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A first partition wall and a second partition wall are arranged within the condensed water recovery device to divide it into a condensed water treatment chamber, a condensed water storage chamber, and a condensed water common room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-32476 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the inside of the condensed water collection container is divided into three horizontally connected areas by partition walls. Therefore, the central area is connected to the two adjacent areas on the left and right, but the right and leftmost areas are only connected to the central area. Because the fuel cell device is installed outdoors, and taking into account the influence of external disturbances, there is room for improvement in the division and layout of each area inside the container.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fuel cell device equipped with a condensate recovery device that is small yet can reliably treat and drain condensate without being affected by external disturbances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a fuel cell module having a fuel cell and a reformer for steam reforming a raw fuel; a condensed water recovery passage that recovers water contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module as condensed water; a condensed water recovery device that stores the condensed water that has flowed through the condensed water recovery flow path, The condensate recovery device includes: The system includes a treatment chamber provided with an ion exchange resin, a storage chamber for storing condensed water, and a neutralization chamber provided with a neutralizing agent and having a first drain port for draining excess condensed water, a first communication port that communicates the treatment chamber with the storage chamber; a second communication port that communicates the treatment chamber with the neutralization chamber; The fuel cell device has a third communication port that communicates the storage chamber with the neutralization chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] With the above-described configuration, the condensed water recovery device can be made compact, while still being able to reliably treat and drain the condensed water, resulting in a highly reliable fuel cell device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the condensed water recovery device of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the recovery device body in the condensed water recovery device of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line CC in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view showing another example of the collector body. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the housing in which the condensed water collector is installed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fuel cell device showing the installation position of the condensed water recovery device. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection point between the condensed water recovery device and the condensed water recovery passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, showing the operation of the present invention.

[0012] The present invention provides a fuel cell device having a condensed water recovery device that recovers water contained in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell module as condensed water. The condensed water recovery device includes a treatment chamber containing an ion exchange resin, a storage chamber for storing condensed water, and a neutralization chamber containing a neutralizing agent and having a first drain port for draining excess condensed water. The condensed water recovery device has a first communication port connecting the treatment chamber and the storage chamber, a second communication port connecting the treatment chamber and the neutralization chamber, and a third communication port connecting the storage chamber and the neutralization chamber. That is, the treatment chamber, the storage chamber, and the neutralization chamber each communicate with the other two chambers via a communication port. This allows condensed water to flow from the treatment chamber into the neutralization chamber and be drained, for example, if the water level in the treatment chamber suddenly rises due to an external disturbance. This allows the condensed water to be reliably treated and drained, resulting in a highly reliable fuel cell device.

[0013] In addition, the condensed water recovery device has a first drain outlet for draining excess water, as well as a second drain outlet and a third drain outlet connected to the drainage flow path, and these three drain outlets are provided on the same side of the condensed water recovery device. The fuel cell device is provided with a maintenance surface for performing maintenance, and the drain outlets of the condensed water recovery device are connected to piping extending toward the maintenance surface. By arranging the condensed water recovery device so that the side with the drain outlet faces the maintenance surface of the fuel cell device, the length of the piping for drainage can be shortened, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, since the space required for routing the piping can be reduced, the fuel cell device can be made more compact.

[0014] The condensate collector has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with short and long sides, and the first, second, and third drain outlets are located on the short sides. By placing the short sides facing the maintenance side, the condensate collector can be positioned with minimal interference with other components requiring maintenance, improving maintainability. Furthermore, the condensate collector can be easily positioned even in a small space.

[0015] The condensed water collector also includes an overflow chamber that communicates with the neutralization chamber and has a fourth drain outlet on its bottom. If, for some reason, water cannot be drained normally from the first drain outlet, it can be drained through the overflow chamber, preventing water from overflowing from the condensed water collector.

[0016] The overflow chamber has a protrusion that protrudes from the bottom of the condensate collector, and the bottom of the housing has a fitting hole that fits into the protrusion. Excess condensate that flows into the overflow chamber is quickly discharged outside the housing without passing through the inside of the housing, preventing it from adversely affecting other equipment.

[0017] In addition, since the condensed water recovery device and the condensed water recovery passage are connected via an elastically deformable connecting member, the condensed water recovery device can be easily attached and detached. The condensed water recovery device contains ion exchange resin and neutralizing agent, which requires regular maintenance, but the ease of attachment and detachment improves maintainability. [Example]

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 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 condensate water recovery device 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In addition, a condensed water recovery device 4 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2 via a condensed water recovery passage 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 recovery device 4 through the condensed water recovery passage 20. The detailed structure of the condensed water recovery device 4 will be described later, but the condensed water recovery device 4 removes impurities from the recovered condensed water using an ion exchange resin to turn it into purified water, and stores the purified water. The water stored in the condensed water recovery device 4 is supplied to the reformer 12 by a water supply device 16 and used as reforming water. Meanwhile, the gas from which the water has been removed passes through an exhaust passage 21 and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 50.

[0026] A drainage flow path 25 and a drainage flow path 26 are connected to the condensed water recovery device 4. When excessive condensed water is recovered, the excess condensed water that is not used as reforming water is neutralized with a neutralizing agent, and then overflows from the condensed water recovery device 4 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 50 through the drainage flow path 25. Furthermore, if the fuel cell device is not operated for an extended period of time, the condensed water in the condensed water recovery device 4 can be discharged to the outside of the housing 50 through the drainage flow path 26 to prevent the water inside the device from freezing. A drainage plug 26a is provided in the drainage flow path 26, and the water is drained from the condensed water recovery device 4 by opening the drainage plug 26a.

[0027] The fuel supply device 15 that supplies raw fuel to the reformer 12 is provided with accessories such as a first solenoid valve V1, a pressure sensor PS, a desulfurizer DS, a gas flow meter FM1, a fuel pump B1, and a second solenoid valve V2 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 P3 on a reforming water flow path 23 that is connected to the condensed water recovery device 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 FM2 and a blower B2 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] 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.

[0029] 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 27 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 28. The fuel cell device 100 may be a so-called monogeneration system that does not supply hot water to the outside.

[0030] 2 is an external perspective view of the condensed water recovery device of this embodiment. The condensed water recovery device 4 includes a recovery device main body 41 in the shape of a bottomed box with an open top, and a recovery device lid 42 that is detachably attached to the opening of the recovery device main body 41. The recovery device main body 41 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with short sides 41a and 41b and long sides 41c and 41d, and a first drain outlet 61 to which the drainage flow path 25 is connected, and a second drain outlet 62 and a third drain outlet 63 to which the drainage flow path 26 is connected are provided on the same side. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which these drain outlets are provided on the short side 41a.

[0031] The collector lid 42 is formed with an inlet hole 421 to which the condensed water recovery passage 20 is connected. The condensed water generated by cooling the exhaust gas generated in the fuel cell module 1 in the first heat exchanger 2 flows down the condensed water recovery passage 20 and into the collector body 41 from the inlet hole 421. In addition, water level sensors 43, 44 for detecting the water level at a predetermined position in the collector body 41 are attached to the collector lid 42. The water level sensor 43 is a float-type sensor, and the water level sensor 44 is an electrode-type sensor. The attachment positions of the water level sensors 43, 44 are not limited to the positions shown in the figure, and they may be attached to the collector body 41. In addition, the method for detecting the water level is not limited to a specific method, and various methods can be adopted.

[0032] 3 is a top view of the collector body of the condensed water collector of this embodiment. The condensed water collector 4 is divided into multiple areas by partitions arranged within the collector body 41. Specifically, the condensed water collector 4 includes a flat first partition 411 connecting one short side surface 41a to the other short side surface 41b, and a second partition 412 having a bent portion connecting the short side surface 41a to the first partition 411. The first partition 411 and the second partition 412 define a treatment chamber 71 containing ion exchange resin 45, a storage chamber 72 for storing condensed water, and a neutralization chamber 73 containing neutralizing agent 46 and having a first drain port 61 for draining excess condensed water. A second drain port 62 and a third drain port 63 connected to the drainage channel 26 are provided in the storage chamber 72 and the neutralization chamber 73, respectively.

[0033] The arrows in Figure 3 indicate the flow of condensed water within the recovery unit main body 41. The condensed water generated by cooling the exhaust gas flows down the condensed water recovery passage 20 and enters the treatment chamber 71 through the inlet hole 421 in the recovery unit lid 42. The condensed water that has entered the treatment chamber 71 then passes through the ion exchange resin 45, where impurities are removed and the water is converted into purified water, and the water then flows into the storage chamber 72 and stored therein. The storage chamber 72 is connected to the reforming water passage 23, and the condensed water stored in the storage chamber 72 is supplied to the reformer 12 by driving the reforming water pump P3, where it is used as reforming water for steam reforming. Excess condensed water that has not been used as reforming water flows into the neutralization chamber 73, where it is neutralized by the neutralizing agent 46, and then discharged from the first drain outlet 61 to the outside of the device.

[0034] Next, the condensed water recovery device 4 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA in Figure 3, showing a cross section of the treatment chamber 71. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line BB in Figure 3, showing a cross section of the storage chamber 72. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line CC in Figure 3, showing a cross section of the neutralization chamber 73.

[0035] A first communication port 75 that communicates between the processing chamber 71 and the storage chamber 72 is provided in the lower part of the first partition wall 411, and a second communication port 76 that communicates between the processing chamber 71 and the neutralization chamber 73 is provided in the upper part of the first partition wall 411. Further, a third communication port 77 that communicates between the storage chamber 72 and the neutralization chamber 73 is provided in the upper part of the second partition wall 412. In other words, the processing chamber 71, the storage chamber 72, and the neutralization chamber 73 each communicate with the other two chambers via a communication port.

[0036] 4, the treatment chamber 71 is provided with a first partition wall 711 and a second partition wall 712, which together form a serpentine flow path within the treatment chamber 71. Specifically, the first partition wall 711 has approximately the same height as the upper end of the first partition wall 411, and a water passage port 713 is provided at its lower end. The second partition wall 712 extends from the bottom surface of the collector body 41, and is formed so that its height is higher than the upper end of the water passage port 713 and lower than the first partition wall 411, allowing condensed water to pass through the space above the second partition wall 712. The condensed water that flows into the treatment chamber 71 from the condensed water recovery flow path 20 passes through the water passage port 713, passes above the second partition wall 712, and then flows into the storage chamber 72 from the first communication port 75. By making the flow of condensed water meander in this way, the distance over which the condensed water comes into contact with the ion exchange resin 45 is increased, and the condensed water can be purified efficiently.

[0037] A second communication port 76 is provided at the top of the first partition wall 411. When the water level in the treatment chamber 71 rises, the condensed water flows from the second communication port 76 into the neutralization chamber 73 and is then drained outside the apparatus. For example, when a strong wind blows outdoors, the wind may blow into the exhaust passage 21. Because the exhaust passage 21 is connected to the condensed water recovery container 4 via the condensed water recovery passage 20, the wind pressure from the exhaust passage 21 exerts pressure inside the treatment chamber 71, causing the condensed water level to fluctuate. If this water level fluctuation causes the water level downstream of the first partition wall 711 in the treatment chamber 71 to rise, the condensed water may overflow from the top surface of the condensed water recovery container 4. To prevent the condensed water from overflowing, the condensed water recovery container 4 needs to be sealed. However, to seal the container, the recovery container body 41 and the recovery container lid 42 must be securely sealed, which increases costs.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, a second communication port 76 is provided in the upper part of the first partition wall 411, and when the water level in the treatment chamber 71 rises, the condensed water is allowed to flow into the neutralization chamber 73. This allows the condensed water to be quickly drained, preventing the condensed water from overflowing from the upper surface of the condensed water recovery device 4. Therefore, the condensed water recovery device 4 can reliably treat and drain the condensed water without being affected by external disturbances, while suppressing increases in costs.

[0039] The water passage 713 and the first communication port 75 are provided with outflow prevention members (not shown) for preventing the outflow of the ion exchange resin 45. When wind blows in from the exhaust flow path 21, the wind pressure may cause the ion exchange resin 45 to be carried away and move to a subsequent chamber. If the ion exchange resin moves, the contact distance with the condensed water becomes shorter, resulting in poor treatment and, as a result, a decrease in fuel cell performance. In response to this, the provision of the outflow prevention member prevents the ion exchange resin from moving and suppresses a decrease in fuel cell performance. The material of the outflow prevention member is not particularly limited, and various materials such as nonwoven fabric and mesh filters can be used.

[0040] The second communication port 76 is preferably located at a high position. In this embodiment, the second communication port 76 is formed by cutting out the upper end of the first partition wall 411. The water level that fluctuates due to wind pressure will return to normal once the wind stops blowing. Therefore, to prevent more condensed water than necessary from being discharged, the second communication port 76 is located at a high position.

[0041] The condensed water purified through the ion exchange resin 45 is stored in the storage chamber 72. The reforming water flow path 23 is connected to the storage chamber 72, and the condensed water in the storage chamber 72 is supplied to the reformer 12 and used as reforming water for steam reforming. If the water level in the storage chamber 72 falls below a predetermined level, it will no longer be possible to supply reforming water to the reformer 12. Therefore, the water level sensor 43 detects the water level in the storage chamber 72 and controls the power generation operation so that the water level does not fall below the predetermined level. Furthermore, if the water level in the storage chamber 72 does not rise even when the power generation operation is controlled, water is replenished from the outside.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, a third communication port 77 is provided at the top of the second partition wall 412. When the amount of condensed water collected increases and the water level in the storage chamber 72 exceeds the height of the third communication port 77, the excess condensed water flows into the neutralization chamber 73. The condensed water that flows into the neutralization chamber 73 is neutralized by the neutralizing agent 46, and then drained to the outside of the device through the first drain port 61. The first drain port 61 is provided at a position lower than the bottom end of the third communication port 77.

[0043] 6, a third partition wall 731 is erected in the neutralization chamber 73, and a water passage 732 is provided at the lower end of the third partition wall 731. This third partition wall 731 forms a serpentine flow path within the neutralization chamber. This increases the contact distance between the condensed water and the neutralizing agent 46, ensuring reliable neutralization. The water level in the neutralization chamber 73 is detected by a water level sensor 44, and if the water level exceeds a predetermined value, an alarm may be issued indicating that there is an abnormality in the drainage.

[0044] An outflow prevention member for preventing outflow of the neutralizing agent 46 can be provided in the neutralization chamber 73. As the outflow prevention member, a nonwoven fabric or a mesh filter may be provided in the first drain outlet, or a metal mesh or resin part that holds down the upper surface of the neutralizing agent 46 may be disposed in the neutralization chamber.

[0045] The arrangement of the treatment chamber 71, storage chamber 72, and neutralization chamber 73 in the condensed water recovery device 4 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) are top views showing other examples of the recovery device body. In both examples, the treatment chamber 71, storage chamber 72, and neutralization chamber 73 are adjacent to each other with a partition wall sandwiched between them, and the partition wall has a communication port connecting the chambers. The first drain outlet 61, second drain outlet 62, and third drain outlet 63 are provided on the short side surface 41a of the recovery device body 41.

[0046] The condensed water collector 4 can further be provided with an overflow chamber 74 by installing a third partition wall 413. The overflow chamber 74 communicates with the neutralization chamber 73 via a fourth communication port 78 and has a fourth drain port 64 on its bottom. Normally, excess condensed water in the condensed water collector 4 is drained from the first drain port 61, but if for some reason it becomes impossible to drain normally from the first drain port 61, it can be drained from the bottom of the condensed water collector 4 via the overflow chamber 74. This prevents water from overflowing from the condensed water collector 4 even if an abnormality occurs in the first drain port 61. The overflow chamber 74 communicates only with the neutralization chamber 73 and does not communicate with the treatment chamber 71 or the storage chamber 72.

[0047] The fourth communication port 78 is provided at a position lower than the third communication port 77. When the water level in the neutralization chamber 73 rises and exceeds the height of the fourth communication port 78, the condensed water is drained from the overflow chamber 74, thereby preventing the condensed water containing the neutralizing agent from flowing back into the storage chamber 72.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of a housing in which a condensed water collector is installed. The overflow chamber 74 has a protrusion 741 that protrudes from the bottom surface of the condensed water collector 4, and a fourth drain port 64 is provided at the tip of this protrusion 741. The bottom plate 51 of the housing 50 in which the condensed water collector 4 is installed has a fitting hole 51a that fits with the protrusion 741. When the protrusion 741 fits into the fitting hole 51a, the fourth drain port 64 opens to the outside of the housing 50. With this configuration, excess condensed water that flows into the overflow chamber 74 is quickly discharged outside the housing 50 without passing through the inside of the housing 50, preventing the excess condensed water from adversely affecting other equipment. Furthermore, the condensed water collector 4 can be easily positioned by inserting the protrusion 741 into the fitting hole 51a.

[0049] 9 is an exploded view of the fuel cell device showing the installation position of the condensed water collector, and does not show auxiliary equipment other than the fuel cell module 1 and condensed water collector 4 that are placed inside the housing 50. The housing 50 of the fuel cell device 100 is rectangular parallelepiped and includes a bottom plate 51 on which the condensed water collector is installed, 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, and the bottom plate 51 and each of the panels 52 to 56 are formed by bending sheet metal members.

[0050] A maintenance surface for performing maintenance is set in advance on the fuel cell device 100. The top panel 52 and some of the side panels 53 to 56 are maintenance panels that are removed during maintenance.

[0051] In this embodiment, the right side panel 54 is a maintenance panel that is removed during maintenance and is composed of two separable panels, an upper panel and an lower panel. The right side panel 54 is composed of an upper panel 541 and a lower panel 542. The upper panel 541 has an openable cover portion 541a, and removing this cover portion 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 panel that can be removed during maintenance is not limited to the above-mentioned upper panel 541; other panels can also be designed to be removable. Furthermore, pipes for fuel, water, etc. are connected to the lower panel 542 via joints.

[0052] The condensed water recovery device 4 has three drainage outlets for discharging condensed water: a first drainage outlet 61 for draining excess condensed water, and a second drainage outlet 62 and a third drainage outlet 63 for draining condensed water during draining; these three drainage outlets are provided on the same side of the condensed water recovery device 4. These drainage outlets are connected to piping (not shown) that extends toward the maintenance surface. By arranging the condensed water recovery device 4 so that the side with the drainage outlets faces the maintenance surface of the fuel cell device 100, the length of the piping for drainage can be shortened, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, since the space required for routing the piping can be reduced, the fuel cell device 100 can be made more compact.

[0053] In this embodiment, a drain outlet is provided on the short side surface 41a of the condensed water collector 4. Because the width of the container facing the maintenance surface is narrow, it can be placed without interfering with other components that require maintenance, improving maintainability. Furthermore, the condensed water collector 4 can be easily placed even in a small space.

[0054] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connection point between the condensed water collector and the condensed water recovery passageway. A space is provided between the lower end of the condensed water recovery passageway 20 and the collector lid 42, and the condensed water recovery passageway 20 and the collector lid 42 are connected to each other via a connecting member 47 in this space.

[0055] The connecting member 47 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber and includes a flange portion 471 extending horizontally, a first cylindrical portion 472 provided above the flange portion 471, and a second cylindrical portion 473 provided below the flange portion 471. Furthermore, a protruding portion 474 extending outward is formed at the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 473. The condensed water recovery passage 20 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 472, and the second cylindrical portion 473 is inserted into an inlet hole 421 provided in the collector lid 42, with the flange portion 471 sealing the inlet hole 421. Furthermore, a protruding portion 422 extending into the condensed water recovery container 4 extends from the inlet hole 421 of the collector lid 42, and the protruding portion 474 engages with the protruding portion 422, thereby preventing the connecting member 47 from coming off the collector lid 42.

[0056] The condensed water recovery device 4 and the condensed water recovery channel 20 are connected via an elastically deformable connecting member 47, so the condensed water recovery device 4 can be attached and detached by deforming the connecting member 47. To remove the condensed water recovery device 4, simply pull it out. A retaining structure is provided between the connecting member 47 and the recovery device lid 42, so the connecting member 47 is removed along with the recovery device lid 42. To install the condensed water recovery device 4, the condensed water recovery device 4 is slightly tilted, the tip of the first cylindrical portion 472 of the connecting member 47 is brought into contact with the condensed water recovery channel 20, and the first cylindrical portion 472 is pushed into the condensed water recovery channel 20 and deformed while aligning the condensed water recovery device 4 to the installation position. In this way, the condensed water recovery device 4 can be easily attached and detached. The condensed water recovery device 4 contains the ion exchange resin 45 and the neutralizing agent 46, which require periodic maintenance. However, easy attachment and detachment improves maintainability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Fuel Cell Module 4 Condensate collector 11 Fuel Cell 12 Reformer 20 Condensate recovery channel 26 Drainage channel 41a, 41b short side 41c, 41d long side 45 Ion Exchange Resin 46 Neutralizer 47 Connecting member 50 cabinets 51a Fitting hole 61 1st drain 62 2nd drain 63 Third drain 64 4th drain 71 Processing Room 72 Storage chamber 73 Neutralization room 74 Overflow Room 75 1st communication port 76 2nd communication port 77 Third communication port 421 Inlet Hole 472 First tube section 473 Second cylinder 474 sheets of paper 741 Protrusion

Claims

1. a fuel cell module having a fuel cell and a reformer for steam reforming a raw fuel; a condensed water recovery passage that recovers water contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module as condensed water; a condensed water recovery device that stores the condensed water that has flowed through the condensed water recovery flow path, The condensate recovery device includes: The system includes a treatment chamber provided with an ion exchange resin, a storage chamber for storing condensed water, and a neutralization chamber provided with a neutralizing agent and having a first drain port for draining excess condensed water, a first communication port that communicates the treatment chamber with the storage chamber; a second communication port communicating the treatment chamber with the neutralization chamber; a third communication port that communicates the storage chamber with the neutralization chamber;

2. A plurality of drainage channels are connected to the condensed water recovery device, The storage chamber has a second drain outlet connected to one of the plurality of water drainage channels, The neutralization chamber has a third drain outlet connected to another one of the plurality of water drainage channels, 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the first drain outlet, the second drain outlet, and the third drain outlet are provided on the same surface of the condensed water collector.

3. The condensate collector has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with short and long sides, 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the first drain outlet, the second drain outlet, and the third drain outlet are provided on the short side surface.

4. the condensate collector includes an overflow chamber communicating with the neutralization chamber; 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the overflow chamber has a fourth drain port on the bottom surface.

5. the overflow chamber has a protrusion that protrudes from a bottom surface of the condensate collector, 5. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein a fitting hole that fits onto the protrusion is provided on the bottom surface of the housing.

6. an elastically deformable connecting member interposed between the condensed water collector and the condensed water recovery channel; An inlet hole is formed on the upper surface of the condensed water collector, A fuel cell device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting member has a first cylindrical portion into which the condensed water recovery flow path is inserted, a second cylindrical portion inserted into the inlet hole, and a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion.

Images