JP4961681B2 - Fuel cell power generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell power generation device, and more particularly to a package type fuel cell power generation device in which various devices necessary for obtaining the output in addition to the fuel cell are housed in a case.

  Fuel cell power generators are broadly divided into reforming equipment, fuel cells, battery cooling system equipment, etc. that directly contribute to the power generation reaction process (referred to as “process equipment”), orthogonal transformation equipment, and process equipment. Equipment of an electric system such as a control device for controlling the motor (referred to as “electric equipment”). At present, development of a package-type fuel cell power generation apparatus in which the process equipment and electrical equipment required for power generation are housed in a case (including a cubicle) is also in progress.

  In such a package type fuel cell power generator, it is common to divide each storage area for process equipment and electrical equipment within a case. This is because even if flammable gas handled on the process equipment side leaks in the case, it prevents it from flowing to the electrical equipment side and igniting by sparks of the electrical equipment, The main purpose is to suppress the influence of heat transfer between devices on the operation of each device.

  For example, conventionally, a case is divided into an upstream package chamber having a ventilation fan for taking in outside air and a downstream package chamber having an exhaust port, and both are connected by a duct, and the upstream package chamber is connected to the electrical equipment and the downstream side. There is a proposal for storing process equipment in a package room (see Patent Document 1). In this proposal, the outside air at normal temperature sent by the ventilation fan in the upstream package room is used to ventilate the interior and cool the electrical equipment, and the outside air is sent to the downstream package room through the duct. Ventilation and cooling of process equipment takes place. In this proposal, by adjusting the ventilation pressure of the ventilation fan, the upstream package chamber is maintained at a pressure higher than the external air pressure, and the downstream package chamber is lower than the atmospheric pressure in the upstream package chamber, but lower than the external air pressure. Makes it possible to maintain a high atmospheric pressure. Thereby, inflow of the combustible gas into the upstream package chamber when the combustible gas leaks in the downstream package chamber is achieved. Further, the drip-proof property is ensured by adopting a structure having such a pressure gradient.

  In addition to the package-type fuel cell power generator, for example, a configuration in which each storage area for process equipment and electrical equipment is partitioned by a partition wall, and both areas are cooled and ventilated by a single fan. Or the structure etc. which cool and ventilate separately about each storage area are proposed (refer patent document 2).

Further, regarding a package-type fuel cell power generator, a ventilation structure and the like that particularly prevent entry of dust into the case and intrusion of rainwater and the like has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).
JP-A-4-75263 JP-A-9-199152 JP 2004-259491 A

However, when the fuel cell power generator as described above is used, there are the following problems.
For example, the case is divided into an upstream package chamber in which electrical equipment is housed and a downstream package chamber in which process equipment is housed, and outside air is taken into the interior by a ventilation fan, and a pressure gradient is created between the upstream package chamber and the downstream package chamber. When the positive pressure is applied by this, it becomes possible to suppress the inflow of combustible gas from the downstream package chamber to the upstream package chamber. However, the structure is such that the outside air that has been introduced flows in order from the upstream package room to the downstream package room. Sometimes it is further warmed, and the warmed outside air is sent to the downstream package chamber for ventilation and cooling. Therefore, it may happen that the process equipment cannot be sufficiently cooled by the outside air taken in.

  In addition, a structure that reduces the size and power consumption by changing the ventilation structure has been proposed. However, in order to reliably prevent the ignition of flammable gas leaked in the fuel cell power generator, it is still improved. There seems to be some room left.

Moreover, the following problems may arise depending on the configuration of the fuel cell power generator.
3A and 3B are schematic views of an example of a conventional fuel cell power generator, where FIG. 3A is a top view and FIG. 3B is a front view. In FIG. 3, the arrow indicates the gas flow direction.

  The fuel cell power generator shown in FIG. 3 includes a reforming device 101, a fuel cell 102, a battery cooling system device 103, a process device 105 such as a water recovery system device 104, and an orthogonal transformation device 106 in one case 100. The electrical device 108 such as the control device 107 is accommodated. An area in which the process device 105 is stored and an area in which the electric device 108 is stored are partitioned by a partition wall 109.

  A process system exhaust port 110, a process ventilation intake port 111, and a process ventilation exhaust port 112 are provided in the case 100 on the storage area side of the process equipment 105 partitioned by the partition wall 109. In addition, an electrical ventilation inlet 113 and an electrical ventilation exhaust 114 are provided in the case 100 on the storage area side of the electrical device 108.

  Furthermore, in addition to the process equipment 105 and the electrical equipment 108, a suction ventilation fan 115 for exhausting the gas in the storage area of the process equipment 105 is provided in the case 100 in the vicinity of the process ventilation exhaust 112. Further, a pressurized ventilation fan 116 for taking outside air into the storage area of the electric device 108 is provided near the electric ventilation inlet 113 in the case 100.

  In the fuel cell power generation device having such a configuration, each storage area of the process device 105 and the electric device 108 is partitioned by the partition wall 109, and outside air is taken into the storage area of the electric device 108 by the pressurized ventilation fan 116, and the suction ventilation fan 115. Thus, the gas is exhausted from the storage area of the process equipment 105. After the outside air taken into the storage area of the electrical device 108 is used for ventilation and cooling, it is not sent to the storage area of the process device 105 but exhausted from the electrical ventilation exhaust port 114 provided in the storage area of the electrical device 108. The storage area of the process equipment 105 takes in outside air for ventilation / cooling directly from the process ventilation inlet 111 provided therein. Thereby, even when flammable gas leaks from the process equipment 105, the flammable gas is prevented from flowing into the storage area of the electrical equipment 108 in the case 100, thereby improving safety. The outside air heated in the storage area is not supplied to the storage area of the process device 105.

  Currently, in configuring a package type fuel cell power generator, compactness is required, and appearance design is also important. For example, in the case of a fuel cell power generation device for general households, considering that the back side of the fuel cell power generation device will often be installed facing the wall surface, a comparison with less protrusion on the front side or side surface side of the fuel cell power generation device It is desirable to provide a flat air intake / exhaust port. Furthermore, in the case of installation in a residential area, it is desirable that the depth dimension of the device itself be as small as possible due to restrictions on passage width. As a result, if low pressure loss and a large area intake / exhaust port are to be provided, they will be concentrated on the front side of the fuel cell power generator.

  However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the process system exhaust port 110, which is one of the gas exhaust ports in the storage area of the process equipment 105, and the process ventilation intake port 111 for directly taking outside air into the storage area are fueled together. When the battery power generation device is provided on the front side, when the combustible gas is exhausted from the process system exhaust port 110 at the time of emergency stop or the like, the combustible gas after the exhaust is discharged from the process ventilation intake port 111 to the process equipment 105. There is a possibility of re-entering the storage area.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when both the process ventilation intake port 111 and the electrical ventilation exhaust port 114 are provided on the front side of the fuel cell power generation apparatus, the electrical ventilation exhaust port 114 is used for cooling the electrical device 108. There is a possibility that the gas after the temperature rise exhausted from the air flows again into the storage area of the process equipment 105 from the process ventilation inlet 111 and inhibits the cooling of the process equipment 105.

  Although it is conceivable to install a square duct at each intake and exhaust port to distribute the intake and exhaust directions, the square duct protruding to the front side of the fuel cell power generator has a conspicuous appearance design, and the overall depth dimension Is also unfavorable because it increases. In addition, it is expected that the installation locations of small fuel cell power generators mainly for general households will be diversified. For example, when the passage of the installation location is surrounded by a block fence or the like, there is a possibility that the exhausted gas will stay near the intake / exhaust port in front of the fuel cell power generator. In such a case, even if a square duct is attached to the intake / exhaust port portion, it becomes difficult to prevent re-inflow of the exhausted gas.

  Moreover, it is thought that the fuel cell power generator for general households is mainly installed outdoors, and is required to have a drip-proof structure. However, when the gas in the storage area of the process equipment 105 is exhausted from the process ventilation exhaust port 112 by the suction ventilation fan 115, the inside becomes negative pressure. For example, depending on the gap formed in the case 100 or the structure, Rainwater and the like easily enter from the louver portion and the like. As a result, there is a possibility that moisture absorption of a heat insulating material used at an appropriate position of the apparatus, Meg lowering of the electric device 108, or the like may occur. Although a method of providing a square duct at each intake / exhaust port portion to prevent intrusion of rainwater or the like is conceivable, as described above, this method still has problems in appearance design and depth dimensions.

  Conventionally, in order to improve the drip-proof property of the louver part of the air intake port, a method of sucking air from the vicinity of the lower surface of the package through a filter has been proposed, but in that case, the filter eyes by sucking dust from the surrounding base surface are proposed. It is expected that clogging will occur frequently, and there is a concern that maintenance will become complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a small and well-designed package type fuel cell power generation device that suppresses reflow of exhausted gas and intrusion of rainwater and the like. Objective.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, in a fuel cell power generator installed outdoors, process equipment including reforming equipment, fuel cells, battery cooling equipment, and water recovery equipment, orthogonal transformation equipment, and control An electric device including the device is partitioned and stored in a case, and a part of the gas taken in by the first fan for taking the gas from the outside into the storage area of the electric device is part of the electric device After allowed to flow through the, is exhausted to the outside from the electric ventilation exhaust port provided in the housing area of the electrical device, the remainder, the second fan for exhausting the gas from the storage area of the process equipment, the bypassing the electrical device is circulated to the storage area of the process equipment based on the detection signal of the rainwater by the sensor for detecting the rain water, maintaining the blowing rate of the first fan And a flow rate of the gas in the storage area of the process equipment and the storage area of the electrical equipment is reduced by reducing the amount of air blown by the second fan. .

According to such a fuel cell power generation device, a part of the gas such as outside air taken from the outside into the electrical device storage area by the first fan is circulated to the electrical device, and then is stored in the electrical device storage area. Based on the detection signal of rainwater by the sensor that detects the rainwater by exhausting outside from the provided electrical ventilation exhaust port, and the remainder is circulated to the storage area of the process equipment by bypassing the electrical equipment by the second fan, The air flow rate of the first fan is maintained and the air flow rate of the second fan is decreased to control the gas flow rate in the process equipment storage area and the electrical equipment storage area. This eliminates the need for an intake port to directly take in gas from the outside into the process equipment storage area, so that the process equipment storage area for the gas exhausted from the process equipment storage area and the gas after being distributed to the electrical equipment The re-inflow to the can be suppressed. Further, for example, if the case internal pressure is adjusted by controlling the amount of gas to be taken in and the amount of gas to be exhausted, intrusion of rainwater or the like into the case can be suppressed.

More above structure without attaching a rectangular ducts, effectively it becomes possible to suppress temporarily the intrusion of re-flowing and rainwater exhaust gas, safety, and stable to be operated, and compact Thus, it becomes possible to realize a package type fuel cell power generator with a good external design.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, a reference form will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a fuel cell power generator according to a reference embodiment , in which (A) is a top view and (B) is a front view. In addition, in FIG. 1, the arrow has shown the flow direction of gas.

The fuel cell power generator 1 of the reference embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a case 2, a reforming device 3, a fuel cell 4, a battery cooling system device 5, a process device 7 such as a water recovery system device 6, and orthogonal transformation. It has a structure in which electrical devices 10 such as the device 8 and the control device 9 are accommodated. The storage area of the process equipment 7 and the storage area of the electrical equipment 10 are partitioned by a partition wall 11 provided with a gas flow part 11a composed of a metal mesh or the like that allows gas to flow in part.

  Here, the reforming equipment 3 generates hydrogen-rich gas (reformed gas) by steam reforming raw fuel gas such as city gas, LP gas, and methanol. The generated reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 4 as a fuel gas, and the fuel cell 4 uses the reformed gas as a fuel and generates electric power using air taken from the outside. As a result, a direct current output is taken out from the fuel cell 4. The battery cooling system device 5 plays a role of maintaining the operating temperature of the fuel cell 4 at a predetermined value. In addition, water is required for steam reforming in the reforming system 3, but the water recovery system 6 condenses steam contained in the reaction air and combustion exhaust gas to water for steam reforming. Recover. The orthogonal transformation device 8 converts the direct current output of the fuel cell 4 into an alternating current output. The converted AC output is used as a household power source or the like. The control device 9 controls the operation of the process equipment 7 and the orthogonal transformation device 8 and the like and the electrical output.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the process system exhaust port 12 and the process ventilation exhaust port 13 are provided in the case 2 on the storage area side of the process equipment 7 partitioned by the partition wall 11. On the side of the storage area of the electrical device 10 partitioned by 11, an electrical ventilation inlet 14 and an electrical ventilation exhaust 15 are provided in the case 2. Further, a suction ventilation fan 16 for exhausting the gas in the storage area of the process equipment 7 is provided near the process ventilation exhaust 13 inside the case 2, while on the other hand, near the electric ventilation intake 14 inside the case 2. A pressurized ventilation fan 17 for taking in external gas (outside air) is provided in the storage area of the electrical device 10. The suction ventilation fan 16 and the pressurized ventilation fan 17 are controlled by the control device 9 in the amount of blown air.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), a bypass duct 18 is provided between the pressurized ventilation fan 17 and the partition wall 11 on the back side of the electric device 10, and a bypass flow formed thereby. A gas flow part 11a of the partition wall 11 is provided at a position corresponding to the path 18a.

In the fuel cell power generation device 1 having such a configuration, ventilation and cooling inside the case 2 are performed as follows.
First, outside air is taken into the fuel cell power generator 1 from the electric ventilation inlet 14 by the pressurized ventilation fan 17. A part of the taken-in outside air flows to the electric device 10 side by the bypass duct 18 provided on the downstream side of the pressurized ventilation fan 17 in the case, and a part bypasses the electric device 10 to bypass the gas circulation part 11a. Flows to the side.

  The outside air that has been taken in from the electrical ventilation inlet 14 and led to the electrical device 10 side by the bypass duct 18 is used for ventilation and cooling of the electrical device 10. The used gas is pushed by the outside air taken in later and exhausted from the electric ventilation exhaust port 15 to the outside of the fuel cell power generator 1. In the storage area of the electric device 10, a series of such outside air intake, ventilation / cooling, and exhaust are continuously performed.

  On the other hand, the outside air that bypasses the electric device 10 and is guided to the gas circulation unit 11a enters the storage area of the process device 7 from the gas circulation unit 11a and is used for ventilation and cooling of the process device 7. The used gas is mainly sucked by the suction ventilation fan 16 and exhausted from the process ventilation exhaust port 13. In the storage area of the process equipment 7, a series of such electrical equipment 10 bypassing the outside air, ventilation / cooling, and exhaust are continuously performed.

  Further, in the fuel cell power generation device 1, the air volume (exhaust volume) of the suction ventilation fan 16 is controlled to be lower than the air volume (intake volume) of the pressurized ventilation fan 17. Thereby, the pressure inside the case 2 is in the order of the pressure in the storage area of the electrical device 10> the pressure in the storage area of the process equipment 7> atmospheric pressure, and the entire inside of the case 2 is positive with respect to atmospheric pressure. Adjusted.

  As described above, in the fuel cell power generation device 1, the outside air that bypasses the electrical device 10 through the bypass flow path 18 a and the gas flow part 11 a flows into the storage area of the process device 7. That is, since the bypass flow path 18a and the gas circulation part 11a serve as an intake port for taking outside air into the storage area of the process equipment 7, an outside air intake port is provided on the front side of the fuel cell power generator 1 as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to provide it. For this reason, a disadvantage that has conventionally occurred, that is, the gas once exhausted from the process equipment or electrical equipment storage area to the outside of the front of the apparatus re-enters the process equipment storage area through the outside air intake provided on the front of the apparatus. Such a phenomenon can be avoided. Furthermore, a square duct or the like for preventing re-inflow is not required on the front side of the fuel cell power generation device 1.

  Further, in the fuel cell power generation device 1, the pressure inside the case 2 is controlled as described above by controlling the air flow rate of the suction ventilation fan 16 and the pressurized ventilation fan 17> the pressure in the storage area of the electric device 10> process device as described above. 7 is adjusted so that the pressure in the storage area> the atmospheric pressure. In this way, the entire interior of the case 2 is made positive with respect to the atmospheric pressure, so that rainwater or the like can enter the inside of the case 2 without using a complicated louver structure or a square duct at the intake and exhaust ports. Can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, by adjusting the inside of the case 2 so as to have a pressure gradient as described above, even if a flammable gas leaks in the storage area of the process equipment 7, the flammable gas electrical equipment 10 can be stored. Inflow to the area is suppressed, and the combustible gas is exhausted from the process system exhaust port 12 and the process ventilation exhaust port 13.

  Further, in this fuel cell power generation apparatus 1, the process equipment 7 is ventilated and cooled by the outside air bypassing the electrical equipment 10, and the gas after the temperature rise after being used for ventilation and cooling of the electrical equipment 10 as in the past. The process equipment 7 is not ventilated or cooled. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the cooling effect by the outside air even in an environment where the outside air temperature is high, such as in summer, and to operate the fuel cell power generator 1 stably.

  Thus, according to the fuel cell power generator 1, re-inflow of gas once exhausted and intrusion of rainwater and the like are effectively suppressed, and compactness and appearance design are ensured. As a result, a package type fuel cell power generator 1 that can be operated more safely and stably, and is compact and well designed is realized.

There will be described implementation.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a fuel cell power plant in the form of implementation, (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view. In FIG. 2, the arrows indicate the gas flow direction, and the same elements as those illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Fuel cell power plants for the implementation of the form are shown in FIG. 2 20, the control device rainwater sensor 21 connected to 9 in that attached to the top plate portion of the case 2, reference embodiment of a fuel cell power generator 1 Is different.

In the implementation in the form of a fuel cell power plant of this 20, the rainwater is detected by the rain sensor 21 provided in the top plate portion, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 9 (in the figure the dotted arrow). Based on the received detection signal, the control device 9 leaves the pressurized ventilation fan 17 as it is, and controls the suction ventilation fan 16 to reduce the amount of air blown compared to normal time (when no rainwater is detected), For example, a signal for controlling the voltage and frequency of the suction ventilation fan 16 to be small is transmitted. As a result, the inside of the case 2 of the fuel cell power generation apparatus 20 is in a more positive pressure than usual, and it is possible to further suppress the intrusion of rainwater into the inside of the case 2.

  Here, the pressurized ventilation fan 17 is left as it is, and only the air flow rate of the suction ventilation fan 16 is controlled. Of course, the pressurized ventilation fan 17 and the suction ventilation fan 16 are received in response to a detection signal from the rainwater sensor 21. You may make it control both blast volume.

  Although the case where the rainwater sensor 21 is used has been described as an example here, a temperature sensor can be used instead of the rainwater sensor 21. When it rains, the temperature of the top plate portion of the case 2 decreases due to rain water hitting the surface of the case 2. Therefore, it is only necessary to detect the temperature change and appropriately control the air flow rate of the pressurized ventilation fan 17 and the suction ventilation fan 16 as in the case of the rainwater sensor 21. This also makes it possible to suppress the infiltration of rainwater by making the inside of the case 2 more positive than usual.

  In addition to the temperature sensor, a humidity sensor can be used. In that case, when the humidity sensor attached to the top plate portion of the case 2 detects that the humidity of the outside air has exceeded the set value, for example, the same control as in the case of the temperature sensor may be performed.

  Further, here, the case where the rainwater sensor 21 or the like is attached to the top plate portion has been described as an example. Of course, if it is possible to detect an environmental change necessary for rainwater control or the like, the attachment location is the top plate portion. It is not limited to.

As described above, in the fuel cell power generator 1 and 20 of the implementation form, the gas distribution part 11a is provided a receiving area of process equipment 7 and the electric device 10 in the partition wall 11 for partitioning, further, the rear of the electrical device 10 The bypass channel 18a is provided in the above. Then, a part of the outside air taken into the storage area of the electrical device 10 by the pressurized ventilation fan 17 is exhausted by flowing to the electrical device 10, and a part thereof is stored in the process device 7 through the bypass flow path 18a and the gas circulation part 11a. It led to the area, and it was made to exhaust outside by the suction ventilation fan 16 from there. This eliminates the need to provide an intake port for taking outside air into the storage area of the process equipment 7 on the front side of the fuel cell power generators 1 and 20. As a result, it is possible to suppress the gas once exhausted from the storage area of the process equipment 7 or the storage area of the electrical equipment 10 to the outside of the front side of the apparatus from flowing into the storage area of the process equipment 7 again.

Further, in the fuel cell power generator 1 and 20 of the implementation form, the case 2 inside the pressure normal by controlling the air volume of the suction ventilation fan 16 and the pressure ventilation fan 17, storage area of the electrical device 10 The pressure was adjusted in the order of pressure> pressure in the storage area of the process equipment 7> atmospheric pressure. Thereby, infiltration of rainwater etc. can be suppressed. Furthermore, by providing the rainwater sensor 21 and the like, the pressure inside the case 2 can be optimally controlled according to the external environment, and the intrusion of rainwater and the like into the case 2 can be further suppressed.

  Therefore, package type fuel cell power generators 1 and 20 that can be operated safely and stably without using a complicated louver structure, a square duct, etc., and have a compact and good external design are realized. .

It is the schematic of an example of the fuel cell power generator of a reference form , Comprising: (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view. A schematic diagram of an example of a fuel cell power plant of the implementation of form, (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view. It is the schematic of an example of the conventional fuel cell power generator, (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,20 Fuel cell power generation device 2 Case 3 Reforming system equipment 4 Fuel cell 5 Battery cooling system equipment 6 Water recovery system equipment 7 Process equipment 8 Orthogonal transformation device 9 Control device 10 Electrical equipment 11 Bulkhead 11a Gas circulation part 12 Process system exhaust Mouth 13 Process ventilation exhaust 14 Electric ventilation intake 15 Electric ventilation exhaust 16 Suction ventilation fan 17 Pressurized ventilation fan 18 Bypass duct 21 Rainwater sensor

Claims (2)

In the fuel cell power generator installed outdoors ,
Process equipment including reforming system equipment, fuel cell, battery cooling system equipment and water recovery system equipment, and electrical equipment including an orthogonal transformation device and a control device are partitioned and stored in a case,
Electrical of the gas introduced by the first fan for taking in gas from the outside to the storage area of the electrical device, a portion, after allowed to flow to the electrical device, which is provided in the housing area of the electrical device Exhaust from the ventilation exhaust port to the outside, and the remainder is circulated to the process equipment storage area, bypassing the electrical equipment, by a second fan for exhausting the gas from the process equipment storage area,
Based on a rainwater detection signal from a sensor that detects rainwater, the airflow rate of the first fan is maintained and the airflow rate of the second fan is decreased, so that the process device storage area and the electrical device storage are stored. A fuel cell power generator characterized by controlling a flow rate of the gas in an area. A partition having a gas distribution part that divides the storage area of the process equipment and the storage area of the electrical equipment and allows the gas to flow in part, and opposite to a surface facing the electrical ventilation exhaust port of the electrical equipment A bypass flow that is provided between the first fan and the partition wall and is connected to the gas circulation part while avoiding the electric device from the gas intake port in the storage area of the electric device. Road, and
When the gas is taken into the electrical equipment storage area from the outside, a part of the taken-in gas is circulated to the electrical equipment, and part of the gas is passed through the bypass channel and the gas circulation part. The fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell power generator is bypassed and distributed to a storage area of the process equipment.

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