JP2008053209A - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell device capable of generating power from a fuel cell by steam reforming even when tap water cannot be supplied due to water interruption or in an area where water infrastructure is not established.
SOLUTION: A fuel cell 3, a reformer 5 for performing steam reforming for supplying fuel to the fuel cell 3, and pure water to be generated and supplied to the reformer 5 in an outer case 2. By storing the water supply means and storing the water tank 12 for storing the water supplied to the water supply means, the fuel cell can generate power without being affected by the supply of tap water or the like. it can.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device in which a fuel cell is housed in an outer case.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a fuel cell capable of obtaining electric power using hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas (usually air) and auxiliary equipment for operating the fuel cell are provided in an outer case. Various fuel cell devices that are housed and their operating methods have been proposed.

  Here, a steam reforming method is known as one of the methods for generating fuel (hydrogen gas) necessary for power generation of a fuel cell. In a fuel cell device employing this steam reforming method, a fuel (hydrogen gas) is used. In addition to the reformer for generating a), it is known to include water supply means (water treatment device, water pump, water tank, etc.) for supplying pure water to the reformer.

Here, as an example of using water other than tap water for the water supply means, for example, power is generated using natural energy such as sunlight or heat, and rain water is electrolyzed using the generated electricity to generate hydrogen and hydrogen. It has been proposed to generate oxygen and generate power in the fuel cell using this hydrogen and oxygen. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-285715 A

  By the way, in order to supply water to a fuel cell device that performs steam reforming, tap water is generally supplied. However, for example, tap water is shut down due to damage to water facilities caused by an earthquake or landslide disaster, and recovery is performed. When it takes a long time, there is a problem that tap water cannot be supplied to the fuel cell device. In addition, there is a problem that tap water cannot be supplied in areas where water supply infrastructure is not established.

  In such a case, because water is not supplied to the reformer, carbon or the like is deposited on the reforming catalyst or the fuel cell, so that the reforming ability of the reforming catalyst is deteriorated or the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is reduced. Further, the fuel cell device may be damaged.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of stably generating power even when tap water cannot be supplied due to water interruption or the like. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell device capable of stably generating power from a fuel cell even in an area where water supply infrastructure is not established.

  The fuel cell device according to the present invention includes a fuel cell, a reformer that performs steam reforming for supplying fuel to the fuel cell, and pure water in an outer case, and supplies the purified water to the reformer. And a water storage tank for storing water to be supplied to the water supply means.

  Such a fuel cell device has a water storage tank for supplying water to water supply means for generating pure water and supplying it to the reformer. Supplying fuel gas (propane gas, kerosene, etc.) supplied to the fuel cell by appropriately supplying water to the water storage tank when the equipment is damaged and the tap water is shut down and it takes time to recover. If it is possible, the fuel cell can generate power, which can be useful in power supply in the event of a disaster or the like.

  In addition to supplying tap water to the water storage tank, natural water such as rain water, river water, pond water, lake water, ground water, and mineral water other than tap water can be stored in the water storage tank. If the fuel (gas) supplied to the battery can be supplied, the environment in which the water infrastructure can be used is not limited.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the water storage tank is housed in the exterior case.

  In such a fuel cell device, the fuel cell device can be made compact by housing the water storage tank in the exterior case. Furthermore, by storing the water storage tank inside the outer case, the fuel cell device can be easily moved. Therefore, for example, the fuel cell device can be easily installed in a place where electric power is required.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that an external water inlet for taking water into the water storage tank is provided in the outer case.

  In such a fuel cell device, water can be easily supplied to the water storage tank by providing the water storage tank inside the outer case and providing an external water inlet in the outer case. Furthermore, for example, when rainwater is stored in a water storage tank, the fuel cell device is placed in a location exposed to rainwater, or rainwater is stored in the water storage tank simply by supplying water drained from the rain gutter to the water storage tank. it can.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, a tap water supply pipe for supplying tap water is connected to the water supply means, and water stored in the water storage tank is supplied to the tap water supply pipe. It is preferable that a water tank supply pipe is connected.

  In such a fuel cell apparatus, since a tap water supply pipe for supplying tap water is connected to the water supply means, tap water is preferentially used in areas where water supply infrastructure is established. Since it can be used and water can be stably supplied to the water supply means, power generation of the fuel cell can be performed stably.

  In addition, since the storage tank supply pipe is connected to the tap water supply pipe, for example, tap water is usually used as the main water supply source, and the water stored in the storage tank is used for emergency such as a disconnection of tap water. Can be used in special cases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell device from immediately stopping when the tap water is shut off.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, in the tap water supply pipe upstream of the connection portion with the water tank supply pipe, the supply amount of tap water is less than a predetermined amount or tap water is not supplied. In addition, it is preferable to provide a control device for controlling the water stored in the water storage tank to be supplied to the water supply means.

  In such a fuel cell device, when the supply of tap water is less than a predetermined amount of water or tap water is not supplied in the tap water supply pipe upstream from the connection with the storage tank supply pipe, the storage tank By controlling so that the water stored in the water supply means is supplied to the water supply means, the fuel cell can generate power stably.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention accommodates a fuel cell, a reformer for performing steam reforming, a water supply means for supplying pure water to the reformer, and further supplies water to the water supply means in an outer case. Since the water storage tank is equipped with a water storage tank, the water supply facilities are damaged due to an earthquake or earth and sand disaster, and the water supply is cut off. As long as the fuel gas (propane gas, kerosene, etc.) supplied to the battery can be supplied, the fuel cell can generate electricity.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing a fuel cell device 1 according to the present invention, in which a front plate of an outer case 2 is removed so that the inside of a fuel cell module 4 can be seen and a water storage tank 12 is shown. The water storage tank 12 is shown in a sectional view so that it can be seen that the water is stored in the tank. In addition, about each structural member, it abbreviate | omits and has shown. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 1 has shown the flow of water, and is the same also in the following drawings. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and so on.

  In FIG. 1, a fuel cell device 1 includes a fuel cell module 4 (hereinafter abbreviated as a module) in which a plurality of fuel cells are housed by an exterior case 2 and a partition plate 9 provided inside the exterior case 2. A fuel cell 3 formed by dividing a fuel cell module storage chamber 10 in which the fuel cell module is disposed, an auxiliary device storage chamber 11 for storing water supply means, and a water storage tank for supplying water to the water supply means 12 is provided separately from the outer case 2. The water supply means will be described later.

  Here, in the module 4, a fuel cell stack 6 (hereinafter abbreviated as “cell stack”) in which a plurality of fuel cells are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals and electrically connected in series, A reformer 5 for supplying fuel gas is housed, and the reformer 5 is disposed on the upper side of the cell stack 6.

  Here, the water supply means is means for supplying water (pure water) for performing steam reforming in the reformer 5, and is purified by, for example, an activated carbon filter device or an activated carbon filter device for purifying water. Reverse osmosis membrane device for further purifying purified water, ion exchange resin device for producing pure water, water tank for temporarily storing purified water and pure water, and supplying pure water to reformer 5 It is preferable to include a water pump for supplying water, a water supply pipe for supplying water to these devices and the reformer 5, a water supply valve for adjusting the water supplied to the water supply pipe, and the like. In FIG. 1, a water pump 7 and a water supply pipe 8 are illustrated among these water supply means.

  Further, in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 11, a power conditioner for switching the DC power generated in the cell stack 6 (module 4) to AC power and supplying it to an external load, exhaust gas generated by the power generation of the cell stack 6 ( A heat exchanger or the like for exchanging heat between the waste heat) and water can be accommodated. When a heat exchanger is provided, separately from the fuel cell device 1, a hot water storage tank or a circulation pipe or a circulation pump for circulating the water in the hot water storage tank between the hot water storage tank and the heat exchanger. Etc. are preferably provided.

  Various fuel cells are known as the fuel cell (cell), but it is preferable to use a solid oxide fuel cell in order to reduce the size of the fuel cell. As a result, in addition to the fuel cell, auxiliary equipment necessary for the operation of the fuel cell can be reduced in size, and the fuel cell device can be reduced in size. At the same time, it is possible to perform a load following operation that follows a fluctuating load required for a household fuel cell.

  In FIG. 1, since the water storage tank 12 is provided separately from the fuel cell 3, the size thereof is not limited, and can be appropriately designed depending on the use environment or the like. For example, in areas where tap water infrastructure is established, it is possible to reduce the size of the storage tank 12 in order to reduce the size of the fuel cell device 1, and areas where tap water infrastructure is not established. In contrast, the water storage tank 12 can be enlarged. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular also about a shape, For example, cylindrical shape, square pillar shape, etc. can be set suitably.

  Further, the water storage tank 12 is provided with a water storage amount detection means 13 for detecting the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 12 (water storage amount).

  When the water in the water storage tank 12 becomes empty, it becomes impossible to supply water to the reformer 5, and when the operation of the fuel cell device 1 is continued in this state, carbon or the like is deposited on the reforming catalyst or the fuel cell. There is a risk that the reforming ability of the reforming catalyst is deteriorated, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 3 is lowered, and further, the fuel cell device 1 is broken. Therefore, it is preferable to detect the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 12.

  Here, in FIG. 1, by providing the water storage amount detection means 13 in the water storage tank 12, the water storage amount of the water storage tank 12 can be monitored, and failure of the fuel cell device 1 can be suppressed. Such a water storage amount detection means 13 includes, for example, a water meter, a water amount sensor, a float switch, etc., which can be appropriately selected and used.

  The water storage tank 12 may be provided with a lid, a filter, or the like so that dust or the like does not enter the water storage tank 12, and further, the quality of the water stored in the water storage tank 12 is not deteriorated (not decayed). It is possible to set as appropriate, such as providing a preservative, or forming the water storage tank 12 using a material having a preservative function, or providing an insecticide or disinfectant (disinfectant) to prevent the generation of insects and fungi. .

  Here, tap water can be stored in the water storage tank 12 in an area where tap water infrastructure is provided. In this case, since water (tap water) can be stored in the water storage tank 12, for example, when the tap water is cut off, it is possible to suppress the power generation of the fuel cell device 1 from being stopped immediately. In addition, in this invention, tap water means the tap water supplied from a water purification plant as water supplies, such as a household and a factory.

  In addition, water other than tap water can be stored in the water storage tank 12. Therefore, the fuel cell device 1 according to the present invention is used in a case where water supply facilities are damaged due to an earthquake, a sediment disaster, etc., and the water supply takes time to recover, or in an area where water supply infrastructure is not established. , Especially effective. In the present invention, water other than tap water means water other than water that can be always supplied from tap water, for example, natural water such as rain water, river water, pond water, lake water, ground water (well water), and generally It means mineral water sold in the form of PET bottles.

  Here, when water other than tap water is stored in the water storage tank 12, various types of water can be supplied as described above. For example, when water such as river water, pond water, lake water, and ground water is supplied. In the case of mineral water, the water can be stored directly from a plastic bottle or the like. However, in order to store the water in the water storage tank 12 more efficiently, the water is stored in the water storage tank. 12 is preferably provided with a water supply pipe or a water supply device for storing water, but the fuel cell device 1 may be further increased in size. Therefore, storing rainwater as water other than tap water in the water storage tank 12 is cheaper and more efficient.

  In storing rainwater in the water storage tank 12, for example, rainwater can be stored in the water storage tank 12 simply by placing the water storage tank 12 in a place exposed to rainwater, so that water other than tap water can be supplied to the water storage tank 12. Thus, the fuel cell device 1 can be prevented from becoming large and inexpensive. In addition, when storing rainwater more efficiently, rainwater can be directly supplied to the water storage tank 12 from the rain gutter. Thereby, rainwater (water other than tap water) can be stored in the water storage tank 12 at low cost and efficiently.

  As described above, since water other than tap water and tap water can be stored in the water storage tank 12, fuel (city gas, propane gas, kerosene, etc.) can be supplied to the fuel cell device 1 of the present invention. If possible, the fuel cell device 1 can be operated continuously, and the environment in which the water supply infrastructure can be used is not limited. The fuel that can be supplied to the fuel cell device 1 can be set as appropriate depending on the usage status. For example, when city gas is normally used and supply of city gas is stopped by an earthquake or the like, propane gas, kerosene, etc. You can also switch to

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the fuel cell device 21 in which the water storage tank 14 is accommodated in the exterior case 2. In FIG. 2, the water storage tank 14 is disposed so as to penetrate the module storage chamber 10 and the accessory storage chamber 11.

  In such a fuel cell device 21, by arranging the water storage tank 14 inside the outer case 2, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the landscape and the location of the fuel cell device 21.

  Further, since the water storage tank 14 is housed inside the outer case 2, the fuel cell device 21 can be easily moved and installed. Thus, the fuel cell device can be appropriately operated at a place where power supply is required.

  In FIG. 2, the outer case 2 is provided with an external water intake 15 for taking water into the water storage tank 14. Thus, water stored in the water storage tank 14 (tap water, water other than tap water) can be easily stored in the water storage tank 14 simply by pouring into the external water intake 15.

  For example, when rainwater is stored in the water storage tank 14, the rainwater is stored in the water storage tank 14 simply by placing the fuel cell device 21 in a place exposed to rainwater or by connecting a gutter to the external water intake 15. it can. Therefore, water other than tap water can be easily stored in the water storage tank 14.

  Moreover, the external water intake 15 can be made into the shape extended on the outer side of the exterior case 2 from the water storage tank 14 side. By forming the external water intake 15 in such a shape, when water is supplied from the external water intake 15 to the water storage tank 14, it is possible to prevent water from jumping from the external water intake 15. Thus, the fuel cell device 21 can be easily supplied with water.

  Further, when rainwater is stored in the water storage tank 14 as water other than tap water, the external water intake 15 has a shape extending from the water storage tank 14 side to the outside of the exterior case 2, so It can be efficiently collected and stored.

  Further, when rainwater is stored in the water storage tank 14, the fuel cell device 21 is disposed in a place exposed to the rainwater, etc., so that, for example, fallen leaves and the like other than impurities contained in the rainwater are contained in the water storage tank 14. There is a risk of entering. Therefore, the external water intake 15 can be provided with a lid, a filter, or the like so that dust or the like does not enter the water storage tank 14, and in many cases, it is preferable. Thereby, it is possible to suppress dust and the like from entering the water storage tank 14.

  Further, when the water storage tank 14 exceeds a predetermined amount of water, if the water overflows into the fuel cell device 21 from the water storage tank 14, the fuel cell device 21 may be damaged. It is preferable to drain water exceeding the amount of stored water to the outside of the fuel cell device 21. Therefore, the water storage tank 14 can be provided with a drain pipe 16 for draining water that exceeds a predetermined water storage amount. Thereby, it can suppress (prevent) that the water of the water storage tank 14 overflows, for example, it can suppress that auxiliary machinery, such as a power conditioner, leaks, and the fuel cell apparatus 21 fails.

  In FIG. 3, a tap water supply pipe 17 for supplying tap water to the water supply means is connected, and a water storage tank water supply pipe 20 for supplying water stored in the water storage tank 19 to the tap water supply pipe 17. 1 shows an example of a fuel cell device 31 to which is connected. The water storage tank 19 is disposed in the module storage chamber 10 (fixed to the partition plate 9), and the water storage tank water supply pipe 20 is connected to the bottom surface of the water storage tank 19.

  In the fuel cell device 31 using the steam reforming method, the module 4 (the reformer 5) is fixed in order to stabilize the power generation of the fuel cell 3 and to suppress the deterioration of the fuel cell 3 (cell stack 6). And it is preferable to supply water stably.

  Therefore, it is preferable to use tap water preferentially in an area where water supply infrastructure is established. Thereby, since water can be stably supplied to the water supply means, the fuel cell can generate power stably. In this case, it is conceivable that tap water is stored in the storage tank 19 and water is supplied from the storage tank 19 to the reformer 5. Water other than that may be stored. In that case, since there is a possibility that the tap water generated according to a certain standard is contaminated or dust enters the water storage tank 19, it is preferable that tap water is supplied to the water supply means alone. .

  In this case, the water storage tank 19 functions as a reserve tank that is used urgently when tap water is cut off and water cannot be supplied to the reformer 5. Thereby, even if the tap water is cut off, it is possible to avoid a state where water cannot be supplied to the fuel cell 3 (reformer 5) immediately. It is possible to avoid stopping immediately.

  In FIG. 3, a water tank water supply pipe 20 is connected to the tap water supply pipe 17. Here, the tap water supply pipe 17 and the storage tank water supply pipe 20 may be connected to the water supply means, but the tap water supply pipe 17 and the storage tank water supply pipe 20 are connected. By adopting such a shape, the number of water supply pipes 8 connected to the water supply means can be made one, and the fuel cell device 31 can be reduced in size.

  By the way, since the tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water stored in the water storage tank 19 (water outside the tap water, etc.) contain silica and other impurities, water containing these impurities. When (steam) is supplied to the reformer 5, impurities may precipitate in the water supply pipe disposed in the reformer 5 and the water supply pipe may be clogged or the reforming catalyst may be deteriorated. There is. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water storage tank water supply pipe 20 with a water treatment device 18 for making the water supplied to the reformer 5 pure water.

  Here, as the water treatment device 18, when the tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 is treated with pure water, the activated carbon filter device, the reverse osmosis membrane device, the ion exchange resin device, and the like as described above. Such a water treatment apparatus can be used as appropriate. Further, when the water in the water storage tank 19 that stores rainwater or the like is used, it is preferable to purify the water in the water storage tank 19 before supplying the water from the water storage device 18 to the water treatment device 18. In addition, it is preferable to provide an impurity removing means (not shown) in the storage tank water supply pipe 20. As such impurity removing means, for example, besides an antibacterial agent and a filter, it can be appropriately selected and used according to a substance to be purified.

  The water treatment device 18 for treating tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 into pure water is closer to the water pump 7 than the connection between the tap water supply pipe 17 and the storage tank water supply pipe 20. It is preferable to provide in. Thereby, both the tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water stored in the water storage tank 19 supplied from the water storage tank water supply pipe 20 are treated by the water treatment device 18, so that the pure water is treated. The fuel cell device 31 can be reduced in size because it can be supplied to the reformer 5.

  In the fuel cell device 31 shown in FIG. 3, the control device 24 supplies a predetermined amount of tap water in the tap water supply pipe 17 upstream (tap water side) from the connection portion with the water tank supply pipe 20. When the amount of water is less than or when tap water is not supplied, control is performed to supply the water stored in the water storage tank 19 to the water supply means.

  As described above, in the case where the fuel cell device is installed in a place where water supply infrastructure is maintained, it is preferable to use tap water preferentially, but upstream of the connection with the water tank supply pipe 20. In the tap water supply pipe 17 on the side (water supply side), when the amount of tap water supplied falls below a predetermined amount of water (water intake restriction, etc.) or when tap water is not supplied (water cutoff), the water stored in the water storage tank 19 Can be prevented from stopping by supplying the water to the water supply means.

  Usually, the control device 24 controls a water supply valve (not shown) provided in the tap water supply pipe 17 so as to supply the water supply means with an amount of water necessary for power generation by the fuel cell 3, thereby providing the water supply means. Supply a certain amount of tap water.

  Therefore, in the case where the water supply valve is a water supply valve that simply opens and closes, in order to confirm whether a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 when the water supply valve is opened, FIG. The water pressure sensor 22 is provided in the tap water supply pipe 17 upstream of the water storage tank supply pipe 20. In addition, a water supply valve (hereinafter referred to as a water storage pipe water supply valve) 22 is provided in the water storage tank water supply pipe 20.

  Here, the water pressure sensor 22 measures the water pressure of the tap water flowing through the tap water supply pipe 17 upstream of the water tank supply pipe 20 and transmits the water pressure information to the control device 24. When the water pressure information transmitted from the water pressure sensor 22 is out of the predetermined range (when the supply of tap water is insufficient), the control device 24 sets the water supply pipe 20 to the water storage pipe water supply valve 20 and the water storage tank 19. A signal is transmitted to let the stored water flow. Thereby, water can be continuously supplied to the water supply means, and the power generation of the fuel cell 3 can be performed stably.

  In FIG. 3, an example in which the water pressure sensor 22 is used to detect the amount of tap water flowing through the tap water supply pipe 17 upstream of the water storage tank supply pipe 20 is shown, but in addition to the water pressure sensor, It is possible to provide a water meter, a water flow sensor, and the like. In this case as well, as described above, the control device 24 controls the water storage water supply valve 23 based on information measured by these sensors. .

  Further, for example, instead of the storage pipe water supply valve 23, a connection portion between the tap water supply pipe 17 and the storage tank water supply pipe 20 is a three-way valve, and based on the information on the supply amount of tap water transmitted to the control device 24, It is also possible to supply water stored in the water storage tank 19 by controlling the valve.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water stored in the water storage tank 19 are not depleted.

  For example, in the case where tap water is used as a main water supply source, when the water pressure of the tap water measured by the water pressure sensor 22 is equal to or lower than a predetermined water pressure, the storage device water supply valve 23 is set by the control device 24. The opening command is transmitted, and the water stored in the water storage tank 19 is supplied to the fuel cell 3 (reformer 5).

  However, although a certain amount of water can be stored in the water storage tank 19, the water storage tank 19 may be depleted if water other than tap water is not additionally supplied to the water storage tank 19. That is, in this state, both the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water storage tank 19 are depleted.

  In this case, since water is not supplied to the fuel cell 3 (reformer 5), carbon is deposited on the reforming catalyst filled in the reformer 5, and the reforming capability of the reforming catalyst is significantly reduced. The power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 3 may be reduced. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the fuel cell 3 (the fuel cell device 31) may fail due to the deposition of carbon in the fuel cell and the deterioration or damage of the fuel cell itself. Therefore, it is preferable to monitor the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 19.

  Therefore, for example, a warning device that transmits a warning signal when the water level of the water storage tank 19 falls below a predetermined lower limit water level may be provided. In this case, it can be recognized from the warning signal that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 19 is insufficient.

  Such warning signals include, for example, a buzzer that sounds when the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 19 falls below a certain level, a display device that indicates that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 19 is insufficient, and water storage A device or the like that transmits an e-mail indicating that the amount of water stored in the tank 19 is insufficient can be appropriately selected and used.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, when the water storage tank 12 is provided separately, the water storage tank 12 may be provided with a drain pipe so that the water stored in the water storage tank 12 does not overflow from the water storage tank 12.

  Furthermore, as described above, in a situation where both the tap water supply pipe 17 and the water storage tank 19 are depleted, for example, the fuel gas reforming method is switched from the steam reforming method to the partial oxidation reforming method, or the fuel cell. 3 (fuel cell device 31) is preferably stopped.

  That is, when the stored water amount detected by the stored water amount detecting means 13 is transmitted to the control device 24 and the water pressure information and the stored water amount of the tap water are below a certain value, the control device 24 reforms the raw fuel. It is preferable that the method can be switched from the steam reforming method to the partial oxidation reforming method.

  As a method for switching the raw fuel reforming method, for example, a stop command is transmitted from the control device 24 to the water pump 7, and a command is transmitted to the blower 25 to supply air to the reformer 5. Thus, the raw fuel can be reformed by partial reforming, and the fuel cell 3 can be continuously operated.

  Further, by switching the raw fuel reforming method from the steam reforming method to the partial oxidation reforming method, the reforming efficiency is lowered, but the reformed gas (fuel) is stably supplied to the fuel cell 3. Therefore, deterioration and failure of the reformer 5 and the fuel cell 3 can be effectively prevented.

  Moreover, when the power generation of the fuel cell 3 (fuel cell device 31) is stopped by the control device 24, it is possible to effectively prevent the reformer 5 and the fuel cell 3 from being deteriorated or broken.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows another example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention which accommodated the water storage tank inside the exterior case. It is a conceptual diagram which shows another example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention which comprised the tap water supply pipe | tube.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 31: Fuel cell device 2: Exterior case 3: Fuel cell 4: Fuel cell module 5: Reformer 6: Fuel cell stack 7: Water pump 8: Water supply pipe 9: Support plate 10: Module storage Chamber 11: Auxiliary equipment storage chambers 12, 14, 19: Reservoir tank 13: Reservoir amount detection means 15: External water intake 16: Drain pipe 17: Tap water supply pipe 18: Water treatment device 20: Reservoir tank water supply pipe 22 : Water pressure sensor 23: Water storage pipe water supply valve 24: Control device

Claims (5)

A fuel cell, a reformer that performs steam reforming to supply fuel to the fuel cell, and water supply means for generating pure water and supplying it to the reformer are housed in the outer case. A fuel cell apparatus comprising a water storage tank for storing water supplied to the water supply means. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the water storage tank is accommodated in the exterior case. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an external water intake for taking water into the water storage tank is provided in the outer case. A tap water supply pipe for supplying tap water is connected to the water supply means, and a water tank supply pipe for supplying water stored in the water storage tank is connected to the tap water supply pipe. The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein In the tap water supply pipe upstream from the connection with the water tank supply pipe, the water stored in the water storage tank when the supply amount of tap water is less than a predetermined amount or no tap water is supplied. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, further comprising a control device that controls to supply the water to the water supply means.

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