JP4297191B1 - FUEL CELL MODULE, FUEL CELL MODULE MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND FUEL CELL - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell module capable of easily inspecting a reformer during manufacture.
A fuel cell module FC connects a fuel cell stack 400 having a plurality of fuel cells 4, a reformer 5 for reforming a fuel gas, and the fuel cell stack 400 and the reformer 5. And a connecting pipe 61 for introducing the fuel gas reformed by the reformer 5 into the fuel cell stack 400. The connecting pipe 61 has a pipe 61A and a pipe 61B. The pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined via a joint 61C.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a fuel cell module, a method for manufacturing a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell.

  Conventionally, in such a fuel cell module, a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of fuel cells is accommodated in a storage container, and air and fuel gas are supplied to each of the plurality of fuel cells and operated. (For example, see the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-093081) and the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-103194)).

Here, in the fuel cell module disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-093081), a reformer that reforms raw fuel into a hydrogen-rich fuel gas and a gas tank provided with a fuel cell stack are provided. Are connected by a fuel gas supply pipe.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-093081 JP 2007-103194 A

  By the way, the reformer is configured by enclosing, for example, a spherical reforming catalyst therein. And in manufacturing a fuel cell module, it is necessary to inspect the reformer. Specifically, gas is passed through the interior of the reformer in advance to confirm the sealing performance of the reformer (the flow gas does not flow out of the reformer).

  However, in the conventional fuel cell module as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-093081), the reformer and the gas tank are integrally connected by a fuel gas supply pipe. Therefore, it was difficult to inspect the reformer.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module, a method for manufacturing the same, and a fuel cell that can easily inspect a reformer in manufacturing.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side, and the plurality of fuel cells. A reformer disposed opposite to the other end side of the cell, reforming the gas to be reformed into fuel gas, an inflow piping section for supplying the gas to be reformed to the reformer, and the reformer A gas pipe having an outflow pipe portion for sending fuel gas to one end of the plurality of fuel cells , and between the other end of the fuel cell and the reformer, A combustion part is formed in which the fuel gas reformed by the reformer and the oxidant gas are mixed and combusted, and at least the outflow pipe part has a first part and a second part each having a tubular shape. are formed is joined to the first portion and the front The portion where the second portion are mechanically joined, characterized in that it is arranged on one end side of the fuel cell than the combustion section.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel cell module which can test | inspect a reformer easily in manufacture, its manufacturing method, and a fuel cell can be provided.

  Prior to describing the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the function and effect of the present invention will be described.

A fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side, and are disposed opposite to the other end sides of the plurality of fuel cell units. A reformer that reforms the gas to be reformed into fuel gas, an inflow piping section that supplies the gas to be reformed to the reformer, and a plurality of fuel cells that supply fuel gas from the reformer A gas pipe having an outflow pipe section that feeds to one end of the cell, and is reformed by the reformer between the other end of the fuel battery cell and the reformer. is burned portion where the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to burn by mixing the formed, at least the outlet pipe portion, a first portion and a second portion, each forming a tubular are formed by mechanically bonding The first part and the second part are mechanically joined And which moiety is characterized by than the combustion section is disposed on one end side of the fuel cell.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, at least the outflow pipe portion is formed by mechanically joining the first portion and the second portion. Therefore, for example, after the first part is joined to the reformer, the first part and the second part can be mechanically joined to manufacture the fuel cell module. Therefore, when the reformer is inspected, the reforming is performed before mechanically joining the first part and the second part, that is, in a state where the outflow pipe part is divided into the first part and the second part. It is possible to inspect the genitalia. As a result, it is possible to easily inspect the reformer during production.

Furthermore, since the first part and the second part of the outflow pipe part are mechanically joined, when joining the first part and the second part, the first part and the second part are joined by welding or the like, for example. No heat is generated as in the case of joining. For this reason, there is no possibility that the outer surface of the fuel cell is affected by heat. Therefore, the present invention greatly contributes to the improvement of the workability of the fuel cell module. In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, the fuel gas reformed by the reformer and the oxidant gas are mixed and burned between the other end of the fuel cell and the reformer. The combustion part is formed, and the part where the first part and the second part are mechanically joined is arranged on one end side of the fuel cell relative to the combustion part. In this case, since the portion where the first portion and the second portion are mechanically joined is located far from the heat source, the combustion performed at each tip portion of the plurality of fuel cells. It becomes difficult to be affected by heat. Therefore, it is easy to remove the reformer from the fuel cell module even after using the fuel cell module.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the first portion and the second portion are detachably joined. In this way, the reformer can be removed from the fuel cell module even after the reformer is attached.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the first part and the second part are joined via a joint part. In this preferred embodiment, since the joint portion is interposed between the first portion and the second portion, the joint portion can be made to play a role of joining the first portion and the second portion, and each of the tubular portions is formed in a tubular shape. The first portion and the second portion can be joined without special processing.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the first portion and the second portion are directly mechanically joined. In this preferable aspect, since the first part and the second part are directly joined, it is possible to join by a simple mechanism without separately providing a member for joining.

  Moreover, in a fuel cell provided with the fuel cell module according to the present invention, a fuel cell having the above-described effects can be provided.

A method of manufacturing a fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side, and the other end sides of the plurality of fuel cell units. A reformer disposed to face the reformer and reforming the gas to be reformed to form a fuel gas, an inflow piping section for supplying the gas to be reformed to the reformer, and the plurality of fuel gases from the reformer A gas pipe having an outflow pipe portion that feeds to one end of the fuel battery cell, and a fuel gas reformed by the reformer between the other end of the fuel battery cell and the reformer, and a manufacturing method of a fuel cell module combustion unit Ru is formed containing gas is burned by mixing, of the first portion and a second portion forming the outlet pipe portion, the reforming of the first portion And then mechanically connecting the first part and the second part. Combined and be one formed between the outlet pipe portion, the portion where the first portion and the second portion is mechanically joined is arranged on one end side of the fuel cell than the combustion unit It is characterized by that.

  In the fuel cell module manufacturing method according to the present invention, the fuel cell stack and the reformer are connected by mechanically joining the first part and the second part. Therefore, when the reformer is inspected when manufacturing the fuel cell module, before the first part and the second part of the outflow pipe part are mechanically joined, that is, the outflow pipe part is connected to the first part and the second part. The reformer can be inspected while being divided into two parts. As a result, it is possible to easily inspect the reformer during production.

Here, in the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module according to the present invention, the first part and the second part of the outflow pipe part are mechanically joined, so that the first part and the second part are joined together. For example, no heat is generated as in the case of joining the first part and the second part by welding or the like. For this reason, there is no possibility that the outer surface of the fuel cell is affected by heat. Therefore, the present invention greatly contributes to the improvement of the workability of the fuel cell module. Further, in the method of manufacturing a fuel cell module according to the present invention, the fuel gas reformed by the reformer and the oxidant gas are mixed between the other end of the fuel cell and the reformer. A combustion part that burns is formed, and the part where the first part and the second part are mechanically joined is disposed on one end side of the fuel cell relative to the combustion part. To do. In this case, since the portion where the first portion and the second portion are mechanically joined is located far from the heat source, the combustion performed at each tip portion of the plurality of fuel cells. It becomes difficult to be affected by heat. Therefore, it is easy to remove the reformer from the fuel cell module even after using the fuel cell module.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a fuel cell module according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fuel cell module with the cover member removed.

  As shown in the figure, the fuel cell module FC has ten fuel cell stacks 400 arranged side by side in a space sealed by a cover member 1 (container) and a base member 2 (container). Therefore, in the fuel cell module FC, the cover member 1 and the base member 2 form a container that contains the fuel cell 4 and the like. In each fuel cell stack 400, 16 fuel cells 4 are arranged in two rows. These fuel cells 4 are electrically arranged in series.

  Each fuel cell 4 is tubular, and is operated by the action of a gas flowing from the lower end to the upper end of the fuel cell 4 in the tube of the fuel cell 4 and a gas flowing from the lower end to the upper end of the outside of the tube. In the present embodiment, the gas flowing in the pipe of the fuel battery cell 4 is a fuel gas such as reformed gas obtained by reforming hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel, and the gas flowing outside the pipe of the fuel battery cell 4 contains oxygen. It contains oxidant gas such as air.

  The fuel cell unit 30 including the fuel cells 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell unit 30 is a tubular structure formed by the fuel cells 4 and extending in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical fuel cell 4 and one end of the fuel cell 4. It has an inner electrode terminal 40 attached to 4a and an outer electrode terminal 42 attached to the other end 4b.

  The fuel cell 4 includes a cylindrical inner electrode layer 44, a cylindrical outer electrode layer 48, a cylindrical electrolyte layer 46 disposed between the electrode layers 44, 48, and an inner electrode. And a through flow channel 50 configured inside the layer 44. Further, an inner electrode exposed peripheral surface 44a in which the inner electrode layer 44 is exposed to the electrolyte layer 46 and the outer electrode layer 48 at one end 4a of the fuel cell 4, and the electrolyte layer 46 is an outer electrode layer. An electrolyte exposed peripheral surface 46 a exposed to 48 is provided. The other end 4b of the fuel cell 4 is configured by an outer electrode exposed peripheral surface 48a from which the outer electrode layer 48 is exposed.

  The inner electrode layer 44 includes, for example, a mixture of Ni and zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Ca, Y, and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from Ni and rare earth elements, And a mixture of Ni and lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr, Mg, Co, Fe, and Cu. The electrolyte layer 46 includes, for example, zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements, lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr and Mg, Formed from at least one of the following. The outer electrode layer 48 is made of, for example, lanthanum manganite doped with at least one selected from Sr and Ca, lanthanum ferrite doped with at least one selected from Sr, Co, Ni, and Cu, Sr, Fe, Ni, and Cu. It is formed from at least one selected from samarium cobalt and silver doped with at least one selected. In this case, the inner electrode layer 44 becomes a fuel electrode, and the outer electrode layer 48 becomes an air electrode. The thickness of the inner electrode layer 44 is, for example, 1 mm, the thickness of the electrolyte layer 46 is, for example, 30 μm, the thickness of the outer electrode layer 48 is, for example, 30 μm, and the outer diameter is For example, it is 1-10 mm.

  The inner electrode terminal 40 is disposed so as to cover the inner electrode outer peripheral surface 44a from the outside over the entire circumference and is electrically connected thereto, and a tubular portion extending from the main body portion 40a in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 4 40b. The main body portion 40a and the tubular portion 40b are cylindrical and concentrically arranged, and the tube diameter of the tubular portion 40b is smaller than the tube diameter of the main body portion 40a. The tubular portion 40b has a connection channel 40c that communicates with the through channel 50 and communicates with the outside. A step portion 40 d between the main body portion 40 a and the tubular portion 40 b is in contact with the end surface 44 b of the inner electrode layer 44.

  The outer electrode terminal 42 is disposed so as to cover the outer electrode outer peripheral surface 48 from the outside over the entire circumference and is electrically connected thereto, and a tubular portion extending from the main body portion 42 a in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 4. 42b. The main body portion 42a and the tubular portion 42b are cylindrical and concentric, and the tube diameter of the tubular portion 42b is smaller than the tube diameter of the main body portion 42a. The tubular portion 42b has a connection channel 42c that communicates with the through channel 50 and communicates with the outside. A step portion 42 d between the main body portion 42 a and the tubular portion 42 b is in contact with the outer electrode layer 48, the electrolyte layer 46, and the end surface 44 c of the inner electrode layer 44 via the annular insulating member 52.

  The overall shape of the inner electrode terminal 40 and the overall shape of the outer electrode terminal 42 are the same. Further, the inner electrode terminal 40 and the fuel battery cell 4, and the outer electrode terminal 42 and the fuel battery cell 4 are sealed and fixed by a conductive sealing material 54 over the entire circumference. The sealing material 54 is various brazing materials including, for example, silver, a mixture of silver and glass, gold, nickel, copper, and titanium.

  The connection flow path 40 c of the inner electrode terminal 40, the through flow path 50 of the fuel cell 4, and the connection flow path 42 c of the outer electrode terminal 42 constitute an in-pipe flow path 30 c of the fuel cell unit 30.

  Next, the fuel cell stack 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The fuel cell stack 400 includes 16 fuel cell units 30, an upper support plate 400a, a lower support plate 400b, a connection member 400c, and an external terminal 400d.

  The upper support plate 400a and the lower support plate 400b are rectangular, and are through holes (fitting holes) that fit into the tubular portions 40b and 42b of the fuel cell unit 30 so as to support the fuel cell unit 30 in 2 rows × 8 rows, respectively. (Not shown in the figure). The upper support plate 400a and the lower support plate 400b are formed of an electrically insulating material, for example, formed of heat resistant ceramics. Specifically, it is preferable to use alumina, zirconia, spinel, forsterite, magnesia, titania or the like.

  The 16 fuel cell units 30 are arranged so that they are electrically connected in series. Specifically, the fuel cell units 30 are arranged so that the inner electrode terminals 40 of the adjacent fuel cell units 30 are alternately arranged on the upper side and the lower side. Further, a connection member 400c for electrically connecting the 16 fuel cell units 30 in series is provided. The connection member 400c electrically connects one adjacent inner electrode terminal 40 and one outer electrode terminal 42. Each of the inner electrode terminal 40 and the outer electrode terminal 42 at both ends of the 16 fuel cell units 30 connected in series is provided with an external terminal 400d for electrical connection with the outside. The connection member 400c and the external terminal 400d are made of, for example, a heat-resistant metal such as stainless steel, a nickel base alloy, or a chromium base alloy, or a ceramic material such as lanthanum chromite. The external terminals 400d of each fuel cell stack 400 are electrically connected in series, and are connected to the electrode rods 13 and 14 at both ends thereof.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the fuel cell module FC will be described. The cover member 1 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a side wall (not shown) on the front side, side walls 101 and 102 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell stack 30, a side wall 103 on the back side, and a ceiling 104. A flange portion 1 a is formed at the lower end portion of the side wall 101. By bringing the flange portion 1 a of the cover member 1 into contact with the base member 2, a space sealed by the cover member 1 and the base member 2 is formed.

  An internal space formed by the cover member 1 and the base member 2 is separated into two spaces by a partition plate 15. Among the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the space where the fuel cell stack 400 is disposed is the power generation chamber 16. Of the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the other space is an exhaust gas chamber 17.

  The gas tank 3 is placed on the partition plate 15. Ten fuel cell stacks 400 are arranged side by side in the gas tank 3, and fuel gas is supplied from the gas tank 3 to the fuel cell 4 constituting each fuel cell stack 400.

  More specifically, the upper surface of the gas tank 3 is provided with an opening (not explicitly shown) having substantially the same shape as the lower support plate 400b of the fuel cell stack 400, and the lower support plate 400b is provided in the opening. Are connected to each other, and the gas tank 3 and each fuel cell stack 400 are connected. Therefore, the fuel cells 4 constituting the fuel cell stack 400 are erected on the gas tank 3 with their tip portions facing upward.

  On the other hand, above each fuel cell stack 400 is a combustion section 18 in which air and fuel gas are mixed and burned. The fuel gas rises from the gas tank 3 through the in-pipe flow path 30 c of the fuel cell unit 30 toward the combustion unit 18. Further, the air flowing outside the fuel cell 4 also rises toward the combustion unit 18. An ignition device 19 for starting combustion of combustion gas and air is provided in a portion corresponding to the combustion unit 18 in the rear side wall 102. The ignition device 19 mixes and burns fuel gas and air. The fuel cells 4 constituting the fuel cell stack 400 are heated from above by the combustion unit 18.

  The fuel gas is introduced into the fuel cell module FC through the fuel gas supply pipe 8. The fuel gas supply pipe 8 includes a pipe 60B (inflow pipe part, second part) erected with respect to the partition plate 15 and a pipe 60A (inflow pipe part, first part) mechanically connected to the pipe 60B. To the reformer 5 via a portion). The pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined by a joint 60C (joint portion) to form an integrated inflow pipe 60. The joint 60C is configured by a nut 60Ca, a joint 60Cb, and a nut 60Cc. The joint 60 </ b> Cb is cylindrical and has male threads at both ends thereof, and is formed so that the pipe 60 </ b> A and the pipe 60 </ b> B are inserted into the cylindrical interior from opposite directions. The nut 60Ca is passed through the pipe 60A. After the pipe 60A is inserted into the joint 60Cb, the nut 60Ca is tightened with respect to the joint 60Cb, whereby conical ferrules inserted at both ends of the joint 60Cb (shown in the figure). No) is pushed in, and the joint 60Cb is pressed and joined to the pipe 60A through the ferrule. Similarly, the nut 60Cc is passed through the pipe 60B. After the pipe 60B is inserted into the joint 60Cb, the nut 60Cc is tightened with respect to the joint 60Cb, so that conical ferrules inserted at both ends of the joint 60Cb ( (Not shown in the figure) is pushed in, and the joint 60Cb is pressed and joined to the pipe 60B through the ferrule. Thus, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined via the joint 60C and are configured to be detachable.

  The fuel gas introduced into the reformer 5 is reformed by the reforming catalyst stored in the reformer 5. The reformed fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 3 through the pipe 61A (outflow pipe part, first part) and the pipe 61B (outflow pipe part, second part). As the reforming catalyst enclosed in the reformer 5, a catalyst obtained by adding nickel to the alumina sphere surface or a catalyst obtained by applying ruthenium to the alumina sphere surface is appropriately used.

  The pipe 61 </ b> A is joined to the reformer 5, and the pipe 61 </ b> B is erected on the gas tank 3. The piping 61A and the piping 61B are mechanically joined by a joining portion 61C (joint portion) to form an integrated outflow piping portion 61. The joining portion 61C includes a nut 61Ca, a joint 61Cb, and a nut 61Cc. The joint 61Cb has a cylindrical shape and has male threads cut at both ends thereof, and is formed so that the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are respectively inserted into the cylindrical shape from opposite directions. The nut 61Ca is passed through the pipe 61A. After the pipe 61A is inserted into the joint 61Cb, the nut 61Ca is tightened with respect to the joint 61Cb, whereby the conical ferrules inserted at both ends of the joint 61Cb (shown in the figure). No) is pushed in, and the joint 61Cb is pressed and joined to the pipe 61A through the ferrule. Similarly, the nut 61Cc is passed through the pipe 61B. After the pipe 61B is inserted into the joint 61Cb, the nut 61Cc is tightened with respect to the joint 61Cb, so that conical ferrules inserted at both ends of the joint 61Cb ( (Not shown in the figure) is pushed in, and the joint 61Cb is pressed and joined to the pipe 61B through the ferrule. In this way, the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined via the joint 61C and are configured to be detachable.

  The part where the pipe 60A is connected to the reformer 5 and the part where the pipe 61A is connected to the reformer 5 are separated from each other in the vicinity of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the fuel gas supplied to the reformer 5 can sufficiently touch the reforming catalyst. Further, the joining portion 60C of the inflow piping portion 60 and the joining portion 61C of the outflow piping portion 61 are disposed below the combustion portion 18 and on the lower end side of the fuel cell 4.

  The side walls 101, 102, 103 and the ceiling 104 of the cover member 1 have a double wall structure, and are configured so that gas can pass through the space between the double walls. The internal space of the side wall 102, the internal space of the ceiling 104, and the internal space of the side wall 103 are connected to each other. An air supply pipe 10 is communicated with the lower portion of the side wall 102 so that air is supplied.

  The air supplied to the side wall 102 flows from the ceiling 104 to the side wall 103, and is heated by heat transmitted from the power generation chamber 16 in the flow process. The air that has flowed into the side wall 103 is configured to flow into the air flow path 103a. The air channel 103 a is formed so as to extend from the side wall 101 toward the side wall 102, and is disposed along the vicinity of the upper surface of the partition plate 15 inside the side wall 103. The air flow path 103a is provided with air inflow holes 103b at a predetermined interval.

  The air that flows into the air flow path 103a from the side wall 103 is configured to flow into the power generation chamber 16 through the air inflow hole 103b. The air that has flowed into the power generation chamber 16 through the air inflow hole 103 b flows from the lower side to the upper side of each fuel cell 4 through the passage outside the fuel cell 4. The air that reaches the upper side of each fuel battery cell 4 is burned together with the fuel gas that has passed through the pipe flow path of each fuel battery cell 4.

  An exhaust gas outflow slit 103 c is provided at the inner upper end of the side wall 103. Exhaust gas generated by combustion of fuel gas and air above each fuel cell 4 enters the internal space of the side wall 103 through the exhaust gas outflow slit 103c. The exhaust gas that has entered the side wall 103 flows downward through the internal space of the side wall 103, reaches the exhaust gas chamber 17, and is temporarily stored. The exhaust gas that has reached the exhaust gas chamber 17 is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell module FC through the exhaust gas pipe 11.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the fuel cell module FC having the above configuration will be described.

  First, the partition plate 15 is provided on the base member 2, and the gas tank 3 and the fuel cell stack 400 are further provided on the partition plate 15. Here, a fuel gas supply pipe 8 is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 15 in advance. The partition plate 15 is previously provided with a pipe 60 </ b> B protruding upward. The gas tank 3 is previously provided with a pipe 61B protruding upward.

  Next, the reformer 5 is prepared. A pipe 60 </ b> A protrudes near one end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the reformer 5. In the vicinity of the other end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the reformer 5, a pipe 61A is projected.

  Next, the pipe 60B protruding from the partition plate 15 and the pipe 60A provided in the reformer 5 are fastened by the joint 60C. At this time, the pipe 61B provided in the gas tank 3 and the pipe 61A provided in the reformer 5 are also fastened by the joint 61C. Accordingly, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined via the joint 60C, and the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined via the joint 61C.

  Next, the cover member 1 is attached to the base member 2 by connecting the base member 2 and the flange portion 1 a of the cover member 1. Thus, the fuel cell module FC is completed.

  In the present embodiment as described above, the inflow piping portion 60 includes the piping 60A and the piping 60B, and the piping 60A and the piping 60B are mechanically joined via the joining portion 60C. Moreover, the outflow piping part 61 has the piping 61A and the piping 61B, and the piping 61A and the piping 61B are mechanically joined via the joining part 61C. Therefore, when the reformer 5 is inspected when manufacturing the fuel cell module FC, the pipe 60A of the outflow pipe section 61 and the pipe 60A of the outflow pipe section 61 are mechanically joined to each other. The reformer before mechanically joining the pipe 60B, that is, in a state where the inflow pipe section 60 is divided into the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B and the outflow pipe section 61 is divided into the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B. 5 inspections can be performed. As a result, it is possible to easily inspect the reformer 5 during production.

  In the present embodiment, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B of the inflow pipe section 60 are mechanically joined, and the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B of the outflow pipe section 61 are mechanically joined. Therefore, heat is not generated when the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are joined and when the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are joined, as in the case of joining by welding or the like. Therefore, there is no possibility that the heat affects the outer surface of the fuel cell 4 (deterioration of the outer surface, etc.). Therefore, this embodiment greatly contributes to the improvement of the workability of the fuel cell module FC.

  In the present embodiment, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B of the inflow pipe section 60 are detachable, and the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B of the outflow pipe section 61 are detachable. Therefore, the reformer 5 can be removed from the fuel cell module FC even after the reformer 5 is attached.

  In the present embodiment, the part where the pipe 60 </ b> A and the pipe 60 </ b> B are mechanically joined is positioned below the tip part of the fuel cell 4. Further, the part where the pipe 61 </ b> A and the pipe 61 </ b> B are mechanically joined is located below the tip part of the fuel cell 4. Therefore, the part where the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined and the part where the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined are located far from the heat source. It becomes hard to receive the influence of the heat by the combustion performed in the front-end | tip part of. Therefore, it is easy to remove the reformer 5 from the fuel cell module FC even after using the fuel cell module FC.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined via the joint 60C, and the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined via the joint 61C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a flange portion 60D (61D) is provided at the tip of the pipe 60A (61A), and a flange portion 60E (61E) is provided at the tip of the pipe 60C (61C). And the flange portion 60E may be joined by a bolt and a nut (both not shown), and the flange portion 61D and the flange portion 61E may be joined by a bolt and a nut (both not shown). That is, in FIG. 5, the pipe 60A and the pipe 60B are mechanically joined by fastening bolts and nuts so as to sandwich the flange part 60D and the flange part 60E. Moreover, the pipe 61A and the pipe 61B are mechanically joined by fastening bolts and nuts so as to sandwich the flange part 61D and the flange part 61E. In addition, as a material of the volt | bolt and nut used at this time, it is preferable in it being a heat resistant metal.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a pipe 60F (corresponding to the pipe 60A) whose tip is expanded from the diameter of the tip of the pipe 60G (corresponding to the pipe 60B) is prepared. It is good also as the inflow piping part 60 by inserting the front-end | tip part in the front-end | tip part of the piping 60F, and joining the piping 60G and the piping 60F so that the front-end | tip part of the piping 60F may be crimped. Similarly, for the outflow pipe 61, a pipe 61F (corresponding to the pipe 61A) whose tip is larger than the diameter of the tip of the pipe 61G (corresponding to the pipe 61B) is prepared, and the tip of the pipe 61G is prepared. The outlet 61 may be joined to the pipe 61G and the pipe 61F so that the pipe 61F is inserted into the tip of the pipe 61F and the tip of the pipe 61F is caulked.

  Next, the configuration of the fuel cell FCS using the fuel cell module FC will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fuel cell FCS. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell FCS includes a fuel cell module FC, a fuel supply unit FP, an air supply unit AP, a water supply unit WP, a power extraction unit EP, and a control unit CS. . The fuel supply unit FP, the air supply unit AP, the water supply unit WP, and the power extraction unit EP constitute an auxiliary device AD of the fuel cell FCS.

  The fuel supply unit FP is a part that supplies fuel gas from a city gas pipe as a fuel supply source to the fuel cell module FC, and includes a fuel pump and an electromagnetic valve. The fuel gas supplied from the fuel supply unit FP is sent out to the fuel gas supply pipe 8.

  The air supply unit AP is a part that supplies air from the atmosphere as an air supply source to the fuel cell module FC, and includes an air blower and an electromagnetic valve. The air supplied from the air supply unit AP is sent out to the air supply pipe 10.

  The water supply unit WP is a part that supplies water from a water pipe as a water supply source to the fuel cell module FC, and includes a water pump and an electromagnetic valve. The water supplied from the water supply part WP becomes water vapor inside the fuel module FC and is sent out to the water vapor supply pipe.

  The power extraction unit EP is a part that extracts electric power from the fuel cell module FC, and includes a power conversion device such as an inverter. The power extraction unit EP is connected to the electrode rods 13 and 14, and the converted power is configured to be sent to a power supply destination.

  The control unit CS is a part for controlling each of the fuel supply unit FP, the air supply unit AP, the driving auxiliary device AD, and the power extraction unit EP, and includes a CPU and a ROM. The operation of the fuel cell module FC as described above is executed based on an instruction signal from the control unit CS.

It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel cell module which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell module which concerns on this embodiment in the state which removed the cover member. It is a figure for demonstrating a fuel cell unit. It is a figure for demonstrating a fuel cell stack. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the part into which piping is mechanically joined. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the part into which piping is mechanically joined. It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  FC ... fuel cell module, 1 ... cover member, 2 ... base member, 3 ... gas tank, 4 ... fuel cell, 30 ... fuel cell unit, 400 ... fuel cell stack, 5 ... reformer, 6 ... connecting pipe 7 ... Combustion catalyst installation section, 8 ... Fuel gas supply pipe, 10 ... Air supply pipe, 11 ... Exhaust gas pipe, 13, 14 ... Electrode rod, 15 ... Partition plate, 16 ... Power generation chamber, 17 ... Exhaust gas chamber, 60: Inflow piping section, 61: Outflow piping section.

Claims (6)

A plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side;
A reformer disposed opposite to the other end of each of the plurality of fuel cells, and reforming the reformed gas into a fuel gas;
A fuel cell module comprising: an inflow piping portion for supplying a reformed gas to the reformer; and a gas piping having an outflow piping portion for sending fuel gas from the reformer to one end of the plurality of fuel cells. Because
Between the other end of the fuel cell and the reformer, a combustion part is formed in which the fuel gas reformed by the reformer and the oxidant gas are mixed and burned,
At least the outflow pipe part is formed by mechanically joining a first part and a second part, each of which has a tubular shape ,
A portion where the first portion and the second portion are mechanically joined is disposed closer to one end of the fuel cell than the combustion portion .   The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are detachably joined.   The fuel cell module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part and the second part are joined via a joint part.   The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are directly mechanically joined. A fuel cell comprising the fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side;
A reformer disposed opposite to the other end of each of the plurality of fuel cells, and reforming the reformed gas into a fuel gas;
A gas pipe having an inflow pipe section for supplying the reformed gas to the reformer and an outflow pipe section for sending fuel gas from the reformer to one end of the plurality of fuel cells ,
Between the other end and the reformer of the fuel cell, the production of the fuel cell module combustion unit Ru is formed to the through reformer and reformed fuel gas and oxidant gas is combusted by mixing A method,
Of the first part and the second part forming the outflow pipe portion, the first part is joined to the reformer, and then the first part and the second part are mechanically joined to form the outflow. A portion that is formed with a piping portion, and the portion where the first portion and the second portion are mechanically joined to each other, is disposed closer to one end of the fuel cell than the combustion portion. Manufacturing method of fuel cell module.

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