Fuel battery device

Abstract

This fuel battery device has a pair of first housings and a fuel processing unit. The first housings accommodate fuel battery cell stacks. The fuel processing unit heats a raw fuel supplied to the fuel battery cell stacks. The pair of first housings are symmetrically arranged such that the fuel battery cell stacks inside the first housings face each other across the fuel processing unit.

Description

fuel cell device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-185922, filed on October 30, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to fuel cell devices.

[0003] A fuel cell module including a reformer, a combustor, and a fuel cell stack is known. In order to continuously generate power, a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell modules has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] JP 2015-141825 A

[0005] A fuel cell device according to a first aspect comprises a pair of first housings each housing a fuel cell stack, and a fuel processing unit that heats raw fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, the pair of first housings being arranged symmetrically so that the fuel cell stacks inside each housing face each other across the fuel processing unit.

[0006] 6 is a front view showing a cross section of a first insulating material and a second insulating material in a fuel cell device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the internal configuration of the fuel cell device in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of the first casing of FIG. 1 as seen from a first direction. FIG. 9 is a side view of the fuel processing section and fuel module casing as seen from the clamping direction of the fuel processing section, showing the positions of the internal components of the first casing and the fuel processing section. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of the first step member and the fuel processing section as seen from the central axis. FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually showing the internal configuration of a fuel cell device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view selectively showing the reformer and fuel cell stack in FIG. 6. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the holding section, showing the relationship between the shape of the holding section and the fuel cell stack in FIG. 6.

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fuel cell device to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] 1 , a fuel cell device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pair of first housings 11 and a fuel processing section 12. The fuel cell device 10 may further include a first insulating material 13 and a second insulating material 14.

[0009] The orientation of the fuel cell device 10 relative to the ground surface is determined when the device is installed. The arrangement of each component in the determined orientation relative to the ground surface will be described later.

[0010] 2 , the first housing 11 houses a fuel cell stack 15. The first housing 11 may be provided with a first air flow path 16 and a reformer 17. Specifically, the first housing 11 may house the first air flow path 16 and the reformer 17.

[0011] The first casing 11 has supply ports for air and raw fuel, and an outlet. The supply ports for air and raw fuel may introduce the air and raw fuel into the first casing 11. The outlet may discharge exhaust gas from the first casing 11. The supply ports for air and raw fuel and the outlet may be located on a surface of the first casing 11 other than the surface facing the fuel processing unit 12, which will be described later. The supply ports for air and raw fuel and the outlet may be located on the surface of the first casing 11 opposite to the surface facing the fuel processing unit 12, for example.

[0012] The fuel cell stack 15 includes a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between a gaseous fuel and a gaseous oxidant. The fuel is, for example, hydrogen and may contain carbon monoxide. The oxidant is, for example, oxygen in the air. In a fuel cell, not all of the fuel and oxidant supplied undergo an electrochemical reaction, and unreacted fuel and oxidant are discharged. In this specification, unreacted fuel is sometimes referred to as fuel off-gas. In addition, in this specification, unreacted oxidant is sometimes referred to as oxidant off-gas.

[0013] The fuel cell may have a flat shape. In the fuel cell, the air electrode, the electrolyte layer, and the fuel electrode may be stacked on top of each other in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface. The flat fuel cell may be stacked in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface.

[0014] In this embodiment, the stacking direction is, for example, the horizontal direction when the fuel cell device 10 is in a position relative to the ground surface. Alternatively, the stacking direction is, for example, the vertical direction when the fuel cell device 10 is in a position relative to the ground surface. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the stacking direction is the horizontal direction when the fuel cell device 10 is in a position relative to the ground surface.

[0015] The fuel cell is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell, and therefore the fuel cell stack 15 is a solid oxide fuel cell stack.

[0016] 3, the fuel cell stack 15 may be held by end collectors 20 and manifolds 21 arranged at both ends in the stacking direction. The manifold 21 may fix one end of the fuel cell, in other words, the end in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0017] For example, in a configuration in which the stacking direction is horizontal, the end collectors 20 are located at both horizontal ends of the fuel cell stack 15. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the stacking direction is horizontal, the manifolds 21 may be located vertically below the fuel cell stack 15.

[0018] Alternatively, in a configuration in which the stacking direction is vertical, the end collectors 20 are located at both vertical ends of the fuel cell stack 15. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the stacking direction is vertical, the manifolds 21 are located in the horizontal direction of the fuel cell stack 15.

[0019] 2, the first air flow path 16 is a flow path that supplies air from the air inlet of the first housing 11 to the fuel cell stack 15. The first air flow path 16 may define an internal space that communicates from the air inlet of the first housing 11 to the air inlet of the fuel cell stack 15. The first air flow path 16 may be tubular, or may be a plate-shaped air introduction plate.

[0020] The first air flow path 16, which is an air introduction plate, may be arranged in the first housing 11 so as to be parallel to the fuel cell stack 15. The first air flow path 16, which is an air introduction plate, may be arranged so as to be aligned horizontally with the fuel cell stack 15 when the fuel cell device 10 is in a fixed orientation relative to the ground surface.

[0021] The reformer 17 may contain a reforming catalyst. The reformer 26 may generate fuel for the fuel cell stack 15 by a reforming reaction such as steam reforming of raw fuel that has been subjected to a predetermined process in the fuel processing unit 12 described below. In a configuration that performs steam reforming, steam may be supplied to the reformer 17.

[0022] 3, the reformer 17 may be provided at a position that is offset from the fuel cell stack 15 when viewed from a first direction. The first direction is a direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the direction in which the fuel cells are erected from the manifold 21. The reformer 17 may be located vertically above the fuel cell stack 15 when the fuel cell device 10 is in a fixed position relative to the ground surface.

[0023] The first housing 11 may have a combustion section 25 provided between the fuel cell stack 15 and the reformer 17. In other words, the combustion section 25 and the reformer 17 may be provided in the first housing 11 from the fuel cell stack 15 toward a second direction. The second direction is the direction from the fuel cell stack 15 toward the reformer 17. Therefore, the second direction is vertically upward when the fuel cell device 10 is in a determined position relative to the ground surface.

[0024] The combustion section 25 may use the oxidant off-gas to combust the fuel off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 15. The combustion section 25 may be a section that mixes the fuel off-gas and the oxidant off-gas and burns them. The combustion section 25 may be, for example, a space where the fuel off-gas and the oxidant off-gas are mixed. An ignition heater or a spark plug may be provided at the position of the combustion section 25.

[0025] 2, the pair of first housings 11 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the fuel processing section 12. The pair of fuel cell stacks 15 inside each of the pair of first housings 11 face each other. Furthermore, the fuel processing section 12 is sandwiched between the pair of fuel cell stacks 15 facing each other.

[0026] 4, the direction in which the pair of first casings 11 sandwich the fuel processing section 12 may be perpendicular to the stacking direction, or the direction in which the pair of first casings 11 sandwich the fuel processing section 12 may be parallel to the stacking direction.

[0027] 2, the fuel processing unit 12 may be provided on the opposite side of the first air flow path 16 in the direction in which the fuel cell stack 15 and the first air flow path 16 are aligned. In other words, the first air flow path 16 may be provided on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack 15 from the fuel processing unit 12.

[0028] 4, the fuel processing unit 12 may be located between the end collectors 20, closer to the fuel cell than the manifold 21 and closer to the fuel cell than the reformer 17, when viewed from the first direction. Also, the fuel processing unit 12 may overlap the fuel cell stack 15 and the combustion unit 25 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 sandwich the fuel processing unit 12.

[0029] The fuel processing section 12 may be sized to have an outer edge with the same shape as the first housings 11 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged.

[0030] The fuel processing unit 12 heats the raw fuel to be indirectly supplied to the fuel cell stack 15. The fuel processing unit 12 is, for example, a preheater for the raw fuel before it flows into the reformer 17. The fuel processing unit 12 may also be, for example, a heater that provides heat necessary for a desulfurization reaction to remove sulfur components contained in the raw fuel. The fuel processing unit 12 may also be a heater that provides heat necessary for a dehydrogenation reaction from methylcyclohexane to liquefy hydrogen for transportation.

[0031] The fuel processing unit 12 may have an attachment piece that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged. The fuel processing unit 12 may be fixed to the first housing 11 at the attachment piece using a fastener such as a screw. Alternatively, the fuel processing unit 12 may be fixed to the first housing 11 using an adhesive with relatively high thermal conductivity.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first insulating material 13 may be provided between a pair of first housings 11. The first insulating material 13 may have an outer edge having substantially the same shape as the first housings 11 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first insulating material 13 may have a frame shape when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged. The first insulating material 13 may have a fuel processing unit 12 provided inside the frame. In the example of FIG. 5 , a gap is provided between the first insulating material 13 and the fuel processing unit 12, but they may also be in close contact.

[0033] 1 , the second insulating material 14 may entirely cover the pair of first housings 11 and the fuel processing section 12. The second insulating material 14 may be provided without providing the first insulating material 13. Alternatively, the pair of first housings 11 and the fuel processing section 12 may entirely be covered by the second insulating material 14 integrated with the first insulating material 13.

[0034] 4, the end of the fuel processing unit 12 on the second direction side may be located between the reformer 17 and the fuel cell stack 15. In other words, the fuel processing unit 12 may overlap the fuel cell stack 15 and the combustion unit 25 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 sandwich the fuel processing unit 12.

[0035] 4, the end of the fuel processing unit 12 on the second direction side may be located between the reformer 17 and the fuel cell stack 15. In other words, the fuel processing unit 12 may overlap the fuel cell stack 15 and the combustion unit 25 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 sandwich the fuel processing unit 12.

[0036] The fuel cell device 10 of the first embodiment configured as described above includes a pair of first housings 11 each housing a fuel cell stack 15 and a fuel processor 12 that heats the raw fuel supplied to the fuel cell stack 15. The pair of first housings 11 are symmetrically arranged so that the fuel cell stacks 15 inside each housing face each other across the fuel processor 12. With this configuration, the fuel cell device 10 can heat the fuel processor 12 using Joule heat from the fuel cell stack 15. Therefore, the fuel cell device 10 effectively utilizes heat generated for power generation, thereby improving energy efficiency. Note that even if a heat insulating material is provided inside the first housings 11, Joule heat from the fuel cell stack 15 can remain between the pair of first housings 11, allowing the fuel processor 12 to be effectively heated.

[0037] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 10, a first air flow path 16 for supplying air to the fuel cell stack 15 is provided in the first housing 11 on the opposite side of the fuel processing unit 12 from the fuel cell stack 15. The air flowing through the first air flow path 16 while the fuel cell device 10 is operating is at a lower temperature than the fuel cell stack 15. In response to such an event, the fuel cell device 10 having the above-described configuration can transfer Joule heat radiated to the fuel processing unit 12 side of the fuel cell stack 15 without being absorbed by the first air flow path 16. Therefore, the fuel cell device 10 can heat the fuel processing unit 12 more effectively.

[0038] The fuel cell device 10 also includes a frame-shaped first insulating material 13 between the pair of first housings 11, which has an outer edge that is substantially the same shape as the first housings 11 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are lined up, and which houses the fuel processing unit 12. With this configuration, the fuel cell device 10 improves the heat retention of the fuel processing unit 12.

[0039] The fuel cell device 10 also includes a second insulating material 14 that entirely covers the pair of first housings 11 and the fuel processing section 12. With this configuration, the fuel cell device 10 improves the heat retention of the first housing 11 and the fuel processing section 12.

[0040] In addition, in the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell stack 15 is a solid oxide fuel cell stack, the first air flow path 16 is a plate-shaped air introduction plate that defines the internal space, and the fuel cell stack 15 and the air introduction plate are arranged in parallel within the first housing.

[0041] In the fuel cell device 10, the fuel cell stack 15 is held by end collectors 20 arranged at both ends in the stacking direction and a manifold 21 that fixes one end of the fuel cells that make up the fuel cell stack 15, and a reformer 17 that produces fuel for the fuel cell stack 15 from a raw fuel is provided in the first casing 11 at a position that is offset from the fuel cell stack 15 when viewed from a first direction that is perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the direction in which the fuel cells are erected from the manifold 21, and the fuel processing unit 12 is located between the end collectors 20 and on the fuel cell side of the manifold 21 and on the fuel cell side of the reformer 17 when viewed from the first direction. With this configuration, in the fuel cell device 10, a high-temperature area in the first casing 11 overlaps with the fuel processing unit 12, so that heat from the first casing 11 can be transferred by the fuel processing unit 12.

[0042] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 10, the first housing 11 is provided with a combustion section 25 and a reformer 17 facing in the second direction from the fuel cell stack 15, and when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 sandwich the fuel processing section 12, the fuel processing section 12 overlaps with the fuel cell stack 15 and the combustion section 25. With this configuration, in the fuel cell device 10, a high-temperature region in the first housing 11 overlaps with the fuel processing section 12, so that heat from the first housing 11 can be transferred by the fuel processing section 12.

[0043] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 10, the supply ports for air and raw fuel introduced into the first housing 11 and the exhaust port for exhaust gas discharged from the first housing 11 are located on a surface other than the surface facing the fuel processing unit 12. With this configuration, the fuel cell device 10 does not have piping on the surface facing the fuel processing unit 12, so the distance between the fuel cell stack 15 and the fuel processing unit 12 can be shortened. Therefore, the fuel cell device 10 can heat the fuel processing unit 12 more effectively.

[0044] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 10, the reformer 17 is provided in the first housing 11 facing in the second direction from the fuel cell stack 15, and the end of the fuel processing unit 12 facing in the second direction is located between the reformer 17 and the fuel cell stack 15. With this configuration, the fuel cell device 10 positions the fuel processing unit 12 so that it overlaps with an area of ​​relatively high temperature within the first housing 11, so that the fuel processing unit 12 can be heated more effectively.

[0045] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the fixing structure of the fuel cell stack and the configuration in the vicinity of the reformer differ from those of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that parts having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

[0046] 6, in the second embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 is configured to include a pair of first housings 11 and a fuel processing section 12, as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 may further include a first insulating material 13 and a second insulating material 14. In the second embodiment, the structures and functions of the first housing 11, the fuel processing section 12, the first insulating material 13, and the second insulating material 14 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0047] As in the first embodiment, the first housing 11 houses the fuel cell stack 15. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the first housing 11 may be provided with a first air flow path 160 and a reformer 17. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the reformer 17 may be provided in the first housing 11 in a manner that the reformer 17 is housed in a second housing 270 together with a combustor 260.

[0048] The fuel cell stack 15 may be formed by stacking a plurality of flat fuel cells, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the stacking direction in the fuel cell stack 15 is parallel to the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged.

[0049] 7, the fuel cell stack 15 may be provided with an inlet channel 180 and an outlet channel 190 around the first region a1 when viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cells. The inlet channel 180 may distribute the fuel and oxidant flowing into the fuel cell stack 15 separately to each fuel cell.

[0050] The inlet channel 180 may include a first inlet channel 280 and a second inlet channel 290. The first inlet channel 280 may distribute fuel to each fuel cell. The first inlet channel 280 may be supplied with fuel from the reformer 17. The second inlet channel 290 may distribute oxidant to each fuel cell. The second inlet channel 290 may be supplied with oxidant from the first air flow path 160.

[0051] The discharge path 190 may discharge unreacted oxidant and unreacted fuel flowing out from each fuel cell, as well as water, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide produced by the reactions, from the fuel cell stack 15. The discharge path 190 may include a first discharge path 300 and a second discharge path 310. The first discharge path 300 may discharge unreacted fuel flowing out from each fuel cell to the combustor 260. The second discharge path 310 may discharge unreacted oxidant flowing out from each fuel cell to the combustor 260.

[0052] For example, in a fuel cell stack 15 whose flat surface is substantially rectangular, the first inlet channel 280 may be located near the center of one side in a direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the second direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 7 ). The second inlet channel 290 may be located near the center of the side on the second direction side. The first outlet channel 300 may be located near the center of the side opposite to the side on which the second inlet channel 290 is located. The second outlet channel 310 may be located near the center of the side opposite to the second direction.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 6 , in the second embodiment, the fuel cell stack 15 may be held by a holding portion 220 provided at at least one end in the stacking direction, unlike the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8 , the holding portion 220 may be provided with a plurality of raised portions 230 and protrusions 240.

[0054] The raised portion 230 may be located around the first region a1 when viewed from the stacking direction. The raised portion 230 may be provided on the upper and lower end sides in the vertical direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the raised portion 230 may be formed in a ridge shape along each side of a fuel cell stack 15 whose flat surface is approximately rectangular. The raised portion 230 may be raised in the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 15 along the stacking direction. At least a portion of the fuel processing unit 12 may be located inside at least one of the multiple raised portions 230 when viewed from the stacking direction. Specifically, the fuel processing unit 12 may be located inside the raised portions 230 other than the second direction side raised portion 230 when viewed from the stacking direction.

[0055] 8, when viewed from the stacking direction, the protruding portion 240 may be located further inward of the raised portion 230. The protruding portion 240 may protrude in the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 15 along the stacking direction.

[0056] 6, unlike the first embodiment, the first air flow path 160 is a flow path that supplies air from a second air flow path 320 (described later) to the fuel cell stack 15. The first air flow path 160 is, for example, tubular.

[0057] In the second embodiment, the configuration and function of the reformer 17 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the reformer 17 may be provided in the same relative position with respect to the fuel cell stack 15 as in the first embodiment.

[0058] In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the reformer 17 may be housed in the second housing 270 and housed in the first housing 11 together with the second housing 270. Alternatively, the reformer 17 may be housed in the first housing 11 without the second housing 270 being provided inside the first housing 11.

[0059] The second housing 270 itself may be located vertically above the fuel cell stack 15 when the fuel cell device 10 is in a fixed position relative to the ground. The combustor 260 may be located closer to the fuel cell stack 15 than the reformer 170 within the second housing 270. The space between the reformer 170 and the combustor 260 may function as the combustion section 25.

[0060] The second housing 270 may have a double-wall structure, with a second air flow path 32 formed between an outer wall and an inner wall. The second air flow path 280 may communicate with the air inlet of the first housing 11 and the first air flow path 160.

[0061] The fuel cell device 100 of the second embodiment configured as described above is similar to the first embodiment in that it comprises a pair of first casings 11 each housing a fuel cell stack 15, and a fuel processing unit 12 that heats the raw fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 15, and the pair of first casings 11 are arranged symmetrically so that the fuel cell stacks 15 inside each are opposed to each other across the fuel processing unit 12. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 also improves energy efficiency.

[0062] Similarly to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 also includes a frame-shaped first insulating material 13 between the pair of first housings 11, the frame-shaped first insulating material 13 having an outer edge with substantially the same shape as the first housings 11 when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 are arranged, and the fuel processing unit 12 is provided inside the frame-shaped first insulating material 13. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 also improves the heat retention of the fuel processing unit 12.

[0063] Similarly to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 also includes a second heat insulating material 14 that entirely covers the pair of first housings 11 and the fuel processing section 12. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 also improves the heat retention of the first housing 11 and the fuel processing section 12.

[0064] Also in the fuel cell device 100, similar to the first embodiment, the first housing 11 is provided with a combustion section 25 and a reformer 17 facing in the second direction from the fuel cell stack 15, and when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings 11 sandwich the fuel processing section 12, the fuel processing section 12 overlaps with the fuel cell stack 15 and the combustion section 25. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 can also transfer heat from the first housing 11 via the fuel processing section 12.

[0065] Also in the fuel cell device 100, similar to the first embodiment, the supply ports for air and raw fuel introduced into the first housing 11 and the exhaust port for exhaust gas discharged from the first housing 11 are located on a surface other than the surface facing the fuel processing unit 12. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the fuel cell device 100 can also heat the fuel processing unit 12 more effectively.

[0066] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 100, the fuel cell stack 15 has an inlet channel 18 and an outlet channel 19 provided around a first region a1 where the air electrode, electrolyte layer, and fuel electrode overlap each other when viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cells, and a holding portion 22 provided at at least one end of the fuel cell stack 15 in the stacking direction has a plurality of raised portions 23 that protrude toward the opposite side of the fuel cell stack 15 around the first region a1 when viewed from the stacking direction, and at least a portion of the fuel processing portion 12 is located inside the raised portions 23 when viewed from the stacking direction. The first region a1 is a region that becomes hot within the fuel cell stack 15. Therefore, the fuel cell device 100 having the above-described configuration can improve the heat transfer of heat generated in the fuel cell stack 15 to the fuel processing portion 12.

[0067] In one embodiment, (1) a fuel cell device comprises a pair of first housings each housing a fuel cell stack, and a fuel processing unit that heats raw fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, and the pair of first housings are arranged symmetrically so that the fuel cell stacks inside each housing face each other across the fuel processing unit.

[0068] (2) In the fuel cell device of (1) above, the first housing is provided with an air flow path for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack from the fuel processing unit.

[0069] (3) In the fuel cell device of (2) above, the fuel cell stack is a solid oxide fuel cell stack, the air flow path is a plate-shaped air introduction plate that defines an internal space, and the fuel cell stack and the air introduction plate are arranged in parallel within the first housing.

[0070] (4) In any of the fuel cell devices (1) to (3) above, a frame-shaped first insulating material is further provided between the pair of first housings, the frame-shaped first insulating material having an outer edge of approximately the same shape as the first housings when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings are arranged, and inside which a fuel processing unit is provided.

[0071] (5) The fuel cell device according to any one of (1) to (4) above further comprises a second heat insulating material that entirely covers the pair of first housings and the fuel processing section.

[0072] (6) In any of the fuel cell devices (1) to (5) above, the fuel cell stack is held by end collectors arranged at both ends in the stacking direction and a manifold that fixes one end of the fuel cell that constitutes the fuel cell stack, and the first housing has a reformer that generates fuel for the fuel cell stack from the raw fuel provided at a position that is removed from the fuel cell stack when viewed from a first direction that is perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the direction in which the fuel cell is erected from the manifold, and the fuel processing unit is located between the end collectors, on the fuel cell side of the manifold and on the fuel cell side of the reformer when viewed from the first direction.

[0073] (7) In any of the fuel cell devices (1) to (6) above, a reformer is provided in the first housing facing in a second direction from the fuel cell stack, and the end of the fuel processing unit facing in the second direction is located between the reformer and the fuel cell stack.

[0074] (8) In the fuel cell device of (7) above, a combustion section is provided between the first housing and the reformer, facing in a second direction from the fuel cell stack, and when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings sandwich the fuel processing section, the fuel processing section overlaps the fuel cell stack and the combustion section.

[0075] (9) In any of the fuel cell devices described above in (1) to (8), the supply ports for air and raw fuel introduced into the first housing and the exhaust port for exhaust gas discharged from the first housing are located on a surface other than the surface facing the fuel processing unit.

[0076] (10) In any of the fuel cell devices (1) to (5) above, the fuel cell stack has an inlet and outlet passages around a first region where the air electrode, electrolyte layer, and fuel electrode overlap each other, as viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cells; a holding portion provided at at least one end of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction has a plurality of raised portions that protrude on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack around the first region, as viewed from the stacking direction; and at least a portion of the fuel processing portion is located inside at least one of the plurality of raised portions, as viewed from the stacking direction.

[0077] The drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0079] All of the features described in this disclosure and / or all steps of all of the disclosed methods or processes may be combined in any combination except combinations in which these features are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, each feature described in this disclosure may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly denied. Thus, unless expressly denied, each disclosed feature is only one example of a generic series of identical or equivalent features.

[0080] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations of any of the above-described embodiments, but rather extend to any novel feature or combination thereof described herein, or any novel method or process step or combination thereof described herein.

[0081] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, the configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers interchanged. For example, a first insulating material can have its identifiers "first" and "second" interchanged with a second insulating material. The identifiers are interchanged simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the identifiers are interchanged. The identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which the identifiers have been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The identifiers "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number.

[0082] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10, 100 Fuel cell device 11 First housing 12 Fuel processing section 13 First heat insulating material 14 Second heat insulating material 15 Fuel cell stack 16 First air flow path 17 Reformer 180 Inlet path 190 Outlet path 20 End collector 21 Manifold 220 Holding section 230 Raised section 240 Protruding section 25 Combustion section 260 Combustor 270 Second housing 280 First inlet path 290 Second inlet path 300 First outlet path 310 Second outlet path 320 Second air flow path a1 First region

Claims

1. A fuel cell device comprising: a pair of first housings each housing a fuel cell stack; and a fuel processing unit which heats raw fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell stacks, the pair of first housings being symmetrically arranged so that the fuel cell stacks therein face each other across the fuel processing unit.

2. A fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein an air flow path for supplying air to the fuel cell stack is provided in the first housing on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack from the fuel processing unit.

3. A fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein the fuel cell stack is a solid oxide fuel cell stack, the air flow path is a plate-shaped air introduction plate that defines an internal space, and the fuel cell stack and the air introduction plate are arranged in parallel within the first housing.

4. A fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a frame-shaped first insulating material between the pair of first housings, the frame-shaped first insulating material having an outer edge with substantially the same shape as the first housings when viewed in the direction in which the pair of first housings are arranged, and inside which a fuel processing unit is provided.

5. A fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second heat insulating material that entirely covers the pair of first housings and the fuel processing section.

6. A fuel cell device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel cell stack is held by end collectors arranged at both ends in the stacking direction, and a manifold which fixes one end of the fuel cells which constitute the fuel cell stack, and a reformer which produces fuel for the fuel cell stack from the raw fuel is provided in the first housing at a position removed from the fuel cell stack when viewed from a first direction which is perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the direction in which the fuel cell is erected from the manifold, and the fuel processing unit is located between the end collectors, on the fuel cell side of the manifold and on the fuel cell side of the reformer when viewed from the first direction.

7. A fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a reformer is provided in the first housing facing in a second direction from the fuel cell stack, and the end of the fuel processing unit facing in the second direction is located between the reformer and the fuel cell stack.

8. A fuel cell device as described in claim 7, wherein a combustion section is provided in the first housing facing in a second direction from the fuel cell stack between the reformer, and when viewed from the direction in which the pair of first housings sandwich the fuel processing section, the fuel processing section overlaps the fuel cell stack and the combustion section.

9. A fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a supply port for air and raw fuel to be introduced into the first housing, and an exhaust port for exhaust gas to be discharged from the first housing are located on a surface other than the surface facing the fuel processing unit.

10. A fuel cell device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel cell stack has an inlet and an outlet around a first region where an air electrode, an electrolyte layer and a fuel electrode overlap each other when viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cells, a holding portion provided at at least one end of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction has a plurality of raised portions which rise around the first region on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack when viewed from the stacking direction, and at least a portion of the fuel processing portion is located inside at least one of the plurality of raised portions when viewed from the stacking direction.

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