Stationary fuel cell unit

Abstract

To provide a stationary type fuel cell unit which can stabilize power generation of a fuel cell stack.SOLUTION: A stationary type fuel cell unit 10 comprises: a power generation device 11; a turntable 12 on which the power generation device 11 is placed and which integrally rotates with the power generation device 11; wind direction detection means which detects the wind direction; and a drive device which rotates the turntable 12 according to the wind direction detected by the wind direction detection means. The power generation device 11 comprises: a fuel cell stack 31; and a housing 20 which stores the fuel cell stack 31. The housing 20 includes an introduction port 24 for introducing the air into the housing 20 from the outside of the housing 20. The drive device rotates the turntable 12 such that the introduction port 24 is located on the windward side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stationary fuel cell unit.

Background Art

[0002] The stationary fuel cell unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell stack and a housing that houses the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The housing has an inlet for introducing air from outside the housing into the housing. The fuel cell stack generates electricity using oxygen contained in the air introduced into the housing through the inlet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a stationary fuel cell unit, it is difficult to introduce new air, that is, air sufficiently containing oxygen, into the housing. Therefore, there is a risk that the voltage of the fuel cell stack may decrease due to a decrease in the oxygen concentration of the air supplied to the fuel cell stack.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A stationary fuel cell unit for solving the above problems comprises a power generation device, a turntable on which the power generation device is mounted and which rotates integrally with the power generation device, a wind direction detection means for detecting wind direction, and a rotating means for rotating the turntable according to the wind direction detected by the wind direction detection means. The power generation device comprises a fuel cell stack and a housing that houses the fuel cell stack. The housing has an inlet for introducing air into the housing from outside the housing. The rotating means rotates the turntable so that the inlet is positioned upwind.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the power generation device is rotated so that the inlet is positioned upwind. As a result, fresh air is more easily introduced into the enclosure by the airflow. Therefore, the power generation of the fuel cell stack can be stabilized.

[0007] In the above-described stationary fuel cell unit, the housing has an outlet for discharging gas discharged by the fuel cell stack into the housing to the outside of the housing, and the outlet may be located on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack from the inlet.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the exhaust port is located on the opposite side of the inlet. Therefore, the gas discharged by the fuel cell stack into the enclosure is easily expelled outside the enclosure through the exhaust port by airflow. In other words, ventilation inside the enclosure is improved. Consequently, the power generation of the fuel cell stack can be made more stable.

[0009] In the above-described stationary fuel cell unit, five of the power generation devices are arranged on the turntable in a checkerboard pattern, and one of the five power generation devices is positioned at the rotation center of the turntable, and the direction from the inlet to the outlet may be the same for all five power generation devices.

[0010] With the above configuration, each power generation unit is less likely to introduce gases emitted from other power generation units into its enclosure. Therefore, power generation from the fuel cell stack can be made more stable. In addition, the turning radius of the stationary fuel cell unit is smaller compared to when the five power generation units are arranged in a line on a turntable. Therefore, the installation space of the stationary fuel cell unit can be reduced.

[0011] The stationary fuel cell unit described above includes a hydrogen supply pipe for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack and an electricity extraction means for extracting electricity generated by the fuel cell stack, wherein one of the hydrogen supply pipe and the electricity extraction means is positioned above the fuel cell stack in the vertical direction, and the other of the hydrogen supply pipe and the electricity extraction means is positioned below the fuel cell stack in the vertical direction.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the hydrogen supply piping and the power extraction means are less likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, the routing of the hydrogen supply piping and the power extraction means becomes easier. In addition, the hydrogen supply piping and the power extraction means can be made more robust. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the power generation of a fuel cell stack can be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing a power generation device in an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in an embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a plan view for explaining the function. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in a modified example. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing a stationary fuel cell unit in a modified example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a stationary fuel cell unit is embodied will be described according to FIGS. 1 to 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stationary fuel cell unit 10 includes a power generation device 11, a turntable 12, a wind direction detection means 13, a drive device 14 as a rotation means, a hydrogen supply pipe 15, and an electricity extraction means 16. The stationary fuel cell unit 10 of the present embodiment includes five power generation devices 11.

[0016] <Power Generation Device> As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation device 11 includes a housing 20, a fuel cell stack 31, a dust filter 32, a radiator 33, a circulation channel 34, and a radiator fan 35. Although not shown, the power generation device 11 includes a compressor. The housing 20 houses the fuel cell stack 31, the radiator 33, the circulation channel 34, and the compressor.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped box. The housing 20 has a rectangular upper wall 21, a rectangular lower wall 22, and first side walls 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d that connect the upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22. The first side wall 23a and the second side wall 23b face each other. The third side wall 23c and the fourth side wall 23d face each other.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 20 has an inlet 24 and an outlet 25. The inlet 24 is provided on the first side wall 23a. The inlet 24 is a portion for introducing air from outside the housing 20 into the housing 20. In the present embodiment, a dust filter 32 is fitted into the inlet 24. The dust filter 32 is a filter for suppressing dust from entering the housing 20 together with air. The outlet 25 is provided on the second side wall 23b. The outlet 25 is located on the opposite side of the inlet 24 across the fuel cell stack 31. The outlet 25 is a portion for discharging the fluid in the housing 20 to the outside of the housing 20. In the present embodiment, a radiator fan 35 is fitted into the outlet 25.

[0019] The housing 20 has a pipe insertion hole 26 and a first wiring insertion hole 27. The pipe insertion hole 26 penetrates the upper wall 21. The pipe insertion hole 26 connects the inside and outside of the housing 20. The first wiring insertion hole 27 penetrates the lower wall 22. The first wiring insertion hole 27 connects the inside and outside of the housing 20.

[0020] The fuel cell stack 31 generates electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fuel cell stack 31 and the hydrogen tank 17 are connected by a hydrogen supply pipe 15. Hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 17 through the hydrogen supply pipe 15 to the fuel cell stack 31. Therefore, the hydrogen supply pipe 15 is a pipe for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 31. The compressor supplies the air introduced into the housing 20 from the inlet 24 to the fuel cell stack 31. The fuel cell stack 31 generates electricity using the oxygen contained in the air supplied from the compressor.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fuel cell stack 31 and the power supply equipment 18 are connected by an electricity extraction means 16. The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31 is sent to the power supply equipment 18 through the electricity extraction means 16. That is, the electricity extraction means 16 extracts the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31.

[0022] The fuel cell stack 31 emits gas into the housing 20 during power generation. This exhaust gas mainly contains air with unreacted oxygen in the fuel cell stack 31, unreacted hydrogen in the fuel cell stack 31, and water produced by the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. Therefore, the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is lower than the oxygen concentration in the air outside the housing 20. The fluid inside the housing 20, including the exhaust gas, is discharged outside the housing 20 through the outlet 25.

[0023] The radiator 33 performs heat exchange between the fluid inside the housing 20 and a heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium is, for example, cooling water. In this embodiment, the radiator 33 is located inside the housing 20 between the fuel cell stack 31 and the radiator fan 35.

[0024] The circulation channel 34 circulates the heat exchange medium between the fuel cell stack 31 and the radiator 33. The circulation channel 34 has a forward path 34a, a return path 34b, a first heat exchange channel 34c, and a second heat exchange channel 34d. The forward path 34a is a channel for flowing cooling water from the radiator 33 to the fuel cell stack 31. The return path 34b is a channel for flowing cooling water from the fuel cell stack 31 to the radiator 33. The first heat exchange channel 34c is located inside the fuel cell stack 31. The second heat exchange channel 34d is located inside the radiator 33. The cooling water is circulated within the circulation channel 34 by a pump (not shown).

[0025] The cooling water that flows into the first heat exchange channel 34c via the outbound path 34a cools the fuel cell stack 31 by absorbing the heat generated by the fuel cell stack 31. The cooling water, whose temperature has risen due to absorbing the heat from the fuel cell stack 31, flows into the second heat exchange channel 34d via the return path 34b. The cooling water that flows into the second heat exchange channel 34d is cooled by heat exchange with the fluid inside the housing 20.

[0026] The radiator fan 35 is configured to draw in fluid from inside the housing 20 and discharge it outside the housing 20. Therefore, when the radiator fan 35 is operating, air is drawn into the housing 20 from the inlet 24, and the fluid inside the housing 20 is discharged outside the housing 20 from the outlet 25, thereby ventilating the inside of the housing 20. At this time, the cooling efficiency of the cooling water flowing through the second heat exchange channel 34d is increased as the fluid inside the housing 20 passes through the radiator 33.

[0027] <Turntable> The turntable 12 is rotatably mounted relative to the installation surface of the stationary fuel cell unit 10. The power generation device 11 is mounted on the turntable 12. The turntable 12 rotates at a constant rate with the power generation device 11.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the turntable 12 of this embodiment is rectangular in shape. Five power generation devices 11 are mounted on the turntable 12 of this embodiment. In the following description, to distinguish between the five power generation devices 11, they will be referred to as the first power generation device 11a, the second power generation device 11b, the third power generation device 11c, the fourth power generation device 11d, and the fifth power generation device 11e.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first to fifth power generators 11a to 11e are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The first power generator 11a is positioned at the rotation center C of the turntable 12. The second to fifth power generators 11b to 11e are positioned at the four corners of the turntable 12.

[0030] In the power generation device 11, the direction in which the first side wall 23a and the second side wall 23b face each other is defined as the first direction X. In the power generation device 11, the direction in which the third side wall 23c and the fourth side wall 23d face each other is defined as the second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y are the same for the first to fifth power generation devices 11a to 11e. Also, the direction in which the first side wall 23a faces the second side wall 23b in the first direction X, that is, the direction from the inlet 24 toward the outlet 25, is the same for the first to fifth power generation devices 11a to 11e.

[0031] The second power generator 11b and the third power generator 11c are located on one end side of the first power generator 11a in the first direction X, while the fourth power generator 11d and the fifth power generator 11e are located on the other end side of the first power generator 11a in the first direction X. The second power generator 11b and the fourth power generator 11d are located on one end side of the first power generator 11a in the second direction Y, while the third power generator 11c and the fifth power generator 11e are located on the other end side of the first power generator 11a in the second direction Y.

[0032] The second side wall 23b of the second power generator 11b and the first side wall 23a of the fourth power generator 11d face each other in the first direction X. Therefore, the outlet 25 of the second power generator 11b and the inlet 24 of the fourth power generator 11d face each other in the first direction X. The second side wall 23b of the third power generator 11c and the first side wall 23a of the fifth power generator 11e face each other in the first direction X. Therefore, the outlet 25 of the third power generator 11c and the inlet 24 of the fifth power generator 11e face each other in the first direction X. The fourth side wall 23d of the second power generator 11b and the third side wall 23c of the third power generator 11c face each other in the second direction Y. The fourth side wall 23d of the fourth power generator 11d and the third side wall 23c of the fifth power generator 11e face each other in the second direction Y.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the turntable 12 of this embodiment has five second wiring insertion holes 12a. Each second wiring insertion hole 12a penetrates the turntable 12 in the thickness direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, when the power generator 11 is mounted on the turntable 12, the first wiring insertion hole 27 of the housing 20 of the power generator 11 is in communication with the second wiring insertion hole 12a of the turntable 12.

[0035] <Wind direction detection means> As shown in Figure 1, the wind direction detection means 13 has a fuselage 13a and a vertical stabilizer 13b. The wind direction detection means 13 rotates so that the vertical stabilizer 13b is downwind. The wind direction detection means 13 detects the wind direction based on the direction in which the vertical stabilizer 13b is facing. In this embodiment, the wind direction detection means 13 is located near the power generator 11 and the turntable 12. The wind direction detection means 13 detects the wind direction in the environment in which the stationary fuel cell unit 10 is installed.

[0036] <Drive system> As shown in Figure 2, the drive unit 14 has a rotating shaft 14a, a motor 14b, and a control unit 14c. The rotating shaft 14a is fixed to the lower surface of the turntable 12. The turntable 12 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 14a. The rotation center C of the turntable 12 is located on the axis of the rotating shaft 14a. The motor 14b rotates the rotating shaft 14a. The control unit 14c controls the motor 14b. The control unit 14c is connected to the wind direction detection means 13. The control unit 14c acquires the detection result of the wind direction detection means 13. The drive unit 14 is a rotating means that rotates the turntable 12 according to the wind direction detected by the wind direction detection means 13. The drive unit 14 rotates the turntable 12 so that the inlet 24 of the power generation device 11 is positioned upwind.

[0037] <Hydrogen supply piping> As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen supply piping 15 includes a main pipe 51, a branch pipe 52, and a swivel joint 53. The first end of the main pipe 51 is connected to the hydrogen tank 17. The branch pipe 52 has one inlet 52a and five outlets 52b. The second end of the main pipe 51, which is the end opposite to the first end, is connected to the inlet 52a of the branch pipe 52 via the swivel joint 53. The branch pipe 52 is rotatably connected to the main pipe 51 by the swivel joint 53.

[0038] In this embodiment, the hydrogen supply piping 15 is positioned above the fuel cell stack 31 in the vertical direction. The rotary joint 53 is located on the axis of the rotation shaft 14a. The five outlets 52b of the branch piping 52 are inserted into the pipe insertion holes 26 of the five housings 20. The five outlets 52b of the branch piping 52 are connected to the five fuel cell stacks 31.

[0039] <Means of extracting electricity> As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the electrical extraction means 16 includes a slip ring 60, a first wiring 61, and a second wiring 62. In Figure 2, the first wiring 61 is omitted from the illustration, and the second wiring 62 is shown as a single line. In Figure 5, the drive unit 14 is omitted from the illustration. In this embodiment, the electrical extraction means 16 is positioned below the fuel cell stack 31 in the vertical direction. The electrical extraction means 16 is positioned below the turntable 12.

[0040] The slip ring 60 has a cylindrical ring member 60a and a brush 60b. The rotating shaft 14a of the drive unit 14 is inserted inside the ring member 60a. The axis of the ring member 60a coincides with the axis of the rotating shaft 14a. The ring member 60a is fixed to the rotating shaft 14a. The ring member 60a rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 14a. The brush 60b is slidably mounted on the outer circumference of the ring member 60a, relative to the outer surface of the ring member 60a. The ring member 60a and the brush 60b are electrically connected by the brush 60b contacting the ring member 60a.

[0041] The first wiring 61 electrically connects the fuel cell stack 31 and the ring member 60a. As shown in Figure 3, the first wiring 61 connected to the fuel cell stack 31 is routed downwards through the first wiring insertion hole 27 of the housing 20 and the second wiring insertion hole 12a of the turntable 12. The first wiring 61 is then connected to the ring member 60a below the turntable 12.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the second wiring 62 electrically connects the brush 60b and the power supply equipment 18. Thus, the fuel cell stack 31 and the power supply equipment 18 are electrically connected via the power extraction means 16.

[0043] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will now be explained. As shown in Figure 6, the wind direction in the environment where the stationary fuel cell unit 10 is installed is the wind direction indicated by arrow W. The wind direction detection means 13 detects the wind direction. The drive device 14 rotates the turntable 12 according to the wind direction detected by the wind direction detection means 13. The drive device 14 rotates the turntable 12 so that the inlet 24 of each power generation device 11 is positioned upwind.

[0044] In this case, in the hydrogen supply piping 15, the branch pipe 52 rotates together with the power generator 11 and the turntable 12, but the main pipe 51 does not rotate. Also, in the slip ring 60, the ring member 60a rotates together with the power generator 11 and the turntable 12, but the brush 60b does not rotate.

[0045] Each power generator 11 is rotated so that its inlet 24 is positioned upwind. This allows fresh air to be easily introduced into the housing 20 by the airflow. The oxygen concentration of the fresh air introduced into the housing 20 is higher than that of the air used for power generation by the fuel cell stack 31. Therefore, the fuel cell stack 31 is supplied with air with a high oxygen concentration. Also, when the inlet 24 is positioned upwind, the outlet 25, located on the opposite side of the inlet 24, is positioned downwind. Therefore, exhaust gas from inside the housing 20 is easily discharged outside the housing 20 through the outlet 25 by the airflow. Consequently, exhaust gas containing air with a low oxygen concentration is less likely to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 31. In this way, ventilation inside the housing 20 by the airflow suppresses a decrease in the voltage of the fuel cell stack 31.

[0046] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1) The stationary fuel cell unit 10 comprises a power generator 11, a turntable 12 on which the power generator 11 is mounted, a wind direction detection means 13 for detecting wind direction, and a drive device 14 for rotating the turntable 12 according to the wind direction. The power generator 11 comprises a fuel cell stack 31 and a housing 20 that houses the fuel cell stack 31. The housing 20 has an inlet 24 for drawing air into the housing 20 from outside the housing 20. The drive device 14 rotates the turntable 12 so that the inlet 24 is positioned upwind. By positioning the inlet 24 upwind, fresh air is more easily introduced into the housing 20 by the airflow. Therefore, a decrease in the voltage of the fuel cell stack 31 is suppressed, and the power generation of the fuel cell stack 31 can be stabilized. In addition, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 31 can be increased.

[0047] (2) The housing 20 has an outlet 25 for discharging gas discharged by the fuel cell stack 31 into the housing 20 to the outside of the housing 20. The outlet 25 is located on the opposite side of the inlet 24 from the fuel cell stack 31. As a result, exhaust gas inside the housing 20 is easily discharged to the outside of the housing 20 through the outlet 25 by airflow. In other words, ventilation inside the housing 20 is facilitated. Therefore, the power generation of the fuel cell stack 31 can be made more stable. In addition, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 31 can be increased. Furthermore, by ventilating the inside of the housing 20, the fuel cell stack 31 can be cooled, and the cooling efficiency of the cooling water flowing through the second heat exchange channel 34d can be increased.

[0048] (3) The first to fifth power generators 11a to 11e are arranged on the turntable 12 in a checkerboard pattern. The first power generator 11a is positioned at the rotation center C of the turntable 12. The direction from the inlet 24 to the outlet 25 is the same for the first to fifth power generators 11a to 11e. This arrangement makes it difficult for each power generator 11 to introduce gas discharged from other power generators 11 into the housing 20.

[0049] More specifically, the inlets 24 of the first power generator 11a, the second power generator 11b, and the third power generator 11c do not face the outlets 25 of the other power generators 11. Therefore, it is difficult for the first power generator 11a, the second power generator 11b, and the third power generator 11c to introduce gas discharged from the other power generators 11 into the housing 20. In addition, although the inlet 24 of the fourth power generator 11d faces the outlet 25 of the second power generator 11b, the distance between the inlet 24 of the fourth power generator 11d and the outlet 25 of the second power generator 11b is separated by the distance of the first power generator 11a. Therefore, it is difficult for the fourth power generator 11d to introduce gas discharged from the second power generator 11b into the housing 20. Similarly, although the inlet 24 of the fifth power generator 11e faces the outlet 25 of the third power generator 11c, the distance between the inlet 24 of the fifth power generator 11e and the outlet 25 of the third power generator 11c is separated by the length of the first power generator 11a. Therefore, it is difficult for the fifth power generator 11e to introduce the gas discharged from the third power generator 11c into the housing 20.

[0050] Each power generation device 11 is less likely to introduce gases discharged from other power generation devices 11 into the housing 20, thereby making the power generation of the fuel cell stack 31 more stable. In addition, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 31 can be further improved.

[0051] Furthermore, the turning radius of the stationary fuel cell unit 10 is smaller compared to the case where the five power generation devices 11 are arranged in a line on the turntable 12. Therefore, the installation space required for the stationary fuel cell unit 10 can be reduced.

[0052] (4) The stationary fuel cell unit 10 includes a hydrogen supply pipe 15 for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 31 and an electricity extraction means 16 for extracting electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31. The hydrogen supply pipe 15 is positioned above the fuel cell stack 31 in the vertical direction. The electricity extraction means 16 is positioned below the fuel cell stack 31 in the vertical direction. As a result, the hydrogen supply pipe 15 and the electricity extraction means 16 are less likely to interfere with each other. Consequently, the routing of the hydrogen supply pipe 15 and the electricity extraction means 16 becomes easier. In addition, the hydrogen supply pipe 15 and the electricity extraction means 16 can be made to have a robust structure.

[0053] (5) The housing 20 has both an inlet 24 and an outlet 25. As a result, the inside of the housing 20 contains a mixture of air supplied from outside the housing 20 and gas discharged by the fuel cell stack 31. In this configuration, air with a low oxygen concentration, which has been used for power generation by the fuel cell stack 31, is easily supplied to the fuel cell stack 31. Therefore, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment, ventilation inside the housing 20 is particularly effective.

[0054] (6) The hydrogen supply pipe 15 has a rotary joint 53. Therefore, twisting of the hydrogen supply pipe 15 can be avoided when the power generation device 11 and the turntable 12 rotate. (7) The power extraction means 16 has a slip ring 60. Therefore, twisting of the power extraction means 16 can be avoided when the power generator 11 and the turntable 12 rotate.

[0055] (8) Five power generators 11 are mounted on one turntable 12. Therefore, the number of drive units 14, rotary couplings 53, and slip rings 60 can be reduced compared to the case where one power generator 11 is mounted on one turntable 12.

[0056] (9) By rotating the power generator 11 so that the inlet 24 is positioned upwind, the inside of the housing 20 is ventilated by the airflow. Therefore, the inside of the housing 20 can be ventilated even when the radiator fan 35 is not operating. Furthermore, when the radiator fan 35 is operating, ventilation inside the housing 20 can be promoted.

[0057] [Example of changes] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0058] ○ The number of power generators 11 in the stationary fuel cell unit 10 is not limited to five. The number of power generators 11 is set according to the power generation capacity of each power generator 11 and the required power. Also, the arrangement of the power generators 11 on the turntable 12 is not limited to a checkerboard pattern and may be changed as appropriate.

[0059] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the stationary fuel cell unit 10 may have three power generators 11. The three power generators 11 are arranged in a row. The third side wall 23c of the central power generator 11 faces the fourth side wall 23d of the power generator 11 located at one end, and the fourth side wall 23d of the central power generator 11 faces the third side wall 23c of the power generator 11 located at the other end. The direction from the inlet 24 to the outlet 25 is the same for all three power generators 11.

[0060] For example, as shown in Figure 8, the stationary fuel cell unit 10 may be equipped with four power generators 11. The four power generators 11 are arranged at the four corners of the turntable 12, as in the second to fifth power generators 11b to 11e of the above embodiment. In this case, the turning radius of the stationary fuel cell unit 10 is smaller compared to the case where the four power generators 11 are arranged in a line. Therefore, the installation space of the stationary fuel cell unit 10 can be reduced.

[0061] ○ The power generation device 11 may have piping for discharging the gas emitted by the fuel cell stack 31 to the outside of the housing 20, instead of the outlet 25 provided in the housing 20. In this case, the gas emitted by the fuel cell stack 31 is not discharged into the housing 20.

[0062] ○ The discharge port 25 may be formed in a wall other than the second side wall 23b of the housing 20. ○ The dust filter 32 may be omitted. ○ The radiator fan 35 does not have to be fitted into the exhaust port 25. The radiator fan 35 may be positioned, for example, between the fuel cell stack 31 and the radiator 33. In this case, the radiator fan 35 blows air toward the radiator 33.

[0063] ○ The turntable 12 does not have to be rectangular. The turntable 12 may be, for example, disc-shaped. ○ The wind direction detection means 13 may be attached to the power generation device 11. The wind direction detection means 13 is attached to the housing 20, for example, such that the vertical stabilizer 13b is located on the opposite side of the inlet 24, i.e., on the outlet 25 side. The power generation device 11 rotates integrally with the wind direction detection means 13.

[0064] In this case, the wind direction detection means 13 rotates so that the vertical stabilizer 13b is positioned downwind, causing the power generator 11 to which the wind direction detection means 13 is attached to rotate so that the inlet 24 is positioned upwind and the outlet 25 is positioned downwind. When the power generator 11 rotates, the turntable 12 on which the power generator 11 is mounted also rotates.

[0065] The wind direction detection means 13 may be attached to the turntable 12. Specifically, the wind direction detection means 13 is attached to the turntable 12 such that the vertical stabilizer 13b is located on the opposite side from the inlet 24, i.e., on the exhaust side 25. The turntable 12 rotates integrally with the wind direction detection means 13.

[0066] In this case as well, the wind direction detection means 13 rotates so that the vertical stabilizer 13b is positioned downwind, causing the turntable 12 to which the wind direction detection means 13 is attached to rotate together with the power generator 11 so that the inlet 24 is positioned upwind and the outlet 25 is positioned downwind.

[0067] When the wind direction detection means 13 is attached to the power generation device 11 or the turntable 12 in this manner, the wind direction detection means 13 also serves as a rotating means for rotating the turntable 12 according to the wind direction. In this case, the drive device 14 of the above embodiment is unnecessary.

[0068] ○ The hydrogen supply piping 15 may be located below the power generation device 11 in the vertical direction, and the electricity extraction means 16 may be located above the power generation device 11 in the vertical direction. ○ The hydrogen supply piping 15 and the power extraction means 16 may be provided together above or below the power generation device 11 in the vertical direction.

[0069] ○ The hydrogen tank 17 may be placed on the turntable 12 together with the power generation device 11. In this case, the hydrogen supply piping 15 does not need to have a rotary joint 53. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10... Stationary fuel cell unit, 11... Power generation device, 12... Turntable, 13... Wind direction detection means, 14... Drive device as a rotating means, 15... Hydrogen supply piping, 16... Electricity extraction means, 20... Housing, 24... Inlet, 25... Outlet, 31... Fuel cell stack, C... Rotation center.

Claims

1. Power generation equipment, The power generation device is mounted on a turntable that rotates integrally with the power generation device, A wind direction detection means for detecting wind direction, A rotating means that rotates the turntable in accordance with the wind direction detected by the wind direction detection means, Equipped with, The power generation device comprises a fuel cell stack and a housing that houses the fuel cell stack. The housing has an inlet for introducing air into the housing from outside the housing, The rotating means is characterized by rotating the turntable so that the inlet is positioned upwind, thus forming a stationary fuel cell unit.

2. The housing has an outlet for discharging gas discharged by the fuel cell stack into the housing to the outside of the housing. The stationary fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is located on the opposite side of the inlet port, with the fuel cell stack in between.

3. The five power generation devices are arranged on the turntable in a checkerboard pattern. Of the five power generation devices, one power generation device is positioned at the rotation center of the turntable, The stationary fuel cell unit according to claim 2, wherein the direction from the inlet to the outlet is the same for all five power generation devices.

4. A hydrogen supply pipe for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack, An electrical extraction means for extracting electricity generated by the fuel cell stack, Equipped with, A stationary fuel cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the hydrogen supply pipe and the power extraction means is arranged above the fuel cell stack in the vertical direction, and the other of the hydrogen supply pipe and the power extraction means is arranged below the fuel cell stack in the vertical direction.

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