WO2012091132A1

WO2012091132A1 - Fuel cell system

Info

Publication number: WO2012091132A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/080492
Authority: WO
Inventors: 崇史堀内; 修平咲間; 庄一塚越; 定兼　修
Original assignee: Ｊｘ日鉱日石エネルギー株式会社
Priority date: 2010-12-28
Filing date: 2011-12-28
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: JPWO2012091132A1

Abstract

A fuel cell system is provided with a cell stack which uses hydrogen-containing gas to generate electricity, a heat exchanger which uses the heat discharged from the cell stack to heat a heating medium, and a hot water tank which internally stores water, and wherein the heating medium, heated by the heat exchanger, is made to circulate, and thus heat is transferred from the heating medium to the water, heating the water. The fuel cell system is characterised in that a high-temperature heat recovery flow channel for heating the heating medium to a prescribed temperature, and a low-temperature heat recovery flow channel for heating the heating medium to a temperature that is lower than the prescribed temperature are formed in the heat exchanger; and a high-temperature heating-medium flow channel, which causes the circulation of heating medium which has passed through the high-temperature heat recovery flow channel and been heated, and a low-temperature heating-medium flow channel, which causes the circulation of heating medium which has passed through the low-temperature heat recovery flow channel and been heated, are provided in the hot water tank.

Description

Fuel cell system

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a fuel cell system provided with a hot water tank.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 below, as a system for storing hot water, a heat storage tank (hot water storage tank) that is long in the vertical direction is provided, and a high-temperature circulation pipe is connected to the upper side of the heat storage tank. A system in which a medium temperature circulation pipe is connected to the lower side of the tank is known. In this system, a high temperature heat source is connected to the high temperature circulation pipe, and an intermediate temperature heat source is connected to the medium temperature circulation pipe. With such a configuration, temperature stratification is formed in the vertical direction in the heat storage tank, and hot water in each layer is appropriately used, thereby enabling supply of hot water at a temperature corresponding to the application (demand for hot water).

JP 2005-147494 A

However, since the system described in Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of heat sources such as a high-temperature heat source and an intermediate-temperature heat source, the configuration of the system becomes complicated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can efficiently perform hot water discharge from a hot water tank according to hot water demand, and that has a simple configuration.

A fuel cell system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cell stack that generates power using a hydrogen-containing gas, a heat exchanger that heats a heat medium using heat discharged from the cell stack, and stores water therein. And a hot water storage tank that circulates the heat medium heated by the heat exchanger and moves the heat from the heat medium to the water to heat the water, and the heat exchanger has the heat medium at a predetermined temperature. A high temperature heat recovery flow path for heating and a low temperature heat recovery flow path for heating the heat medium to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature are formed, and the hot water storage tank has a high temperature heat recovery flow path. A high-temperature heat medium flow path for flowing the heated heat medium through and a low-temperature heat medium flow path for flowing the heated heat medium through the low-temperature heat recovery flow path are provided. .

In this fuel cell system, the heat exchanger is formed with a high-temperature heat recovery flow path and a low-temperature heat recovery flow path, and a heat medium heated through the high-temperature heat recovery flow path is circulated in the hot water tank. There are provided a high-temperature heat medium flow path that allows the heat medium to flow through the low-temperature heat recovery flow path and a low-temperature heat medium flow path that circulates the heated heat medium. Therefore, high-temperature water is stored around the high-temperature heat medium flow path, and low-temperature water is stored around the low-temperature heat medium flow path than water stored around the high-temperature heat medium flow path. And according to the hot water demand, hot water from the hot water storage tank can be efficiently discharged by appropriately hot water and low temperature water. Moreover, since the heat exchanger has a function of both high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of heat exchangers, and the system configuration can be simplified.

Alternatively, the heat exchanger may be a mode in which the heat medium is heated by transferring heat from the off-gas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack to the heat medium.

Further, the heat exchanger may be a mode in which the heat medium is heated by transferring heat from the heat recovery medium circulated from the cell stack to the heat medium.

Here, the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the heat medium in the high temperature heat recovery flow path may be larger than the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the heat medium in the low temperature heat recovery flow path. In this case, the amount of heat recovered in the heat medium in the high-temperature heat recovery channel is larger than the amount of heat recovered in the heat medium in the low-temperature heat recovery channel, so that high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery are effective. Can be done automatically.

The heat exchanger has a combustion gas passage through which the combustion gas passes, and a high temperature heat recovery passage and a low temperature heat recovery passage adjacent to the combustion gas passage, respectively. Further, an aspect may be adopted in which the line formed by connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the combustion gas in the combustion gas flow path is closer to the low temperature heat recovery flow path. Normally, in the combustion gas flow path, the closer to the line connecting the inlet and outlet of the combustion gas, the larger the flow rate of the combustion gas, and the further away from the line, the smaller the flow rate of the combustion gas. According to the above configuration, the high temperature heat recovery flow path is closer to the line than the low temperature heat recovery flow path, so that high temperature heat recovery and low temperature heat recovery can be performed effectively.

Further, the flow rate of the heat recovery medium for heating the heat medium in the high temperature heat recovery flow path may be larger than the flow rate of the heat recovery medium for heating the heat medium in the low temperature heat recovery flow path. In this case, the amount of heat recovered in the heat medium in the high-temperature heat recovery channel is larger than the amount of heat recovered in the heat medium in the low-temperature heat recovery channel, so that high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery are effective. Can be done automatically.

Further, the heat exchanger is formed with a heat recovery medium flow path through which the heat recovery medium passes, and a high temperature heat recovery flow path and a low temperature heat recovery flow path adjacent to the heat recovery medium flow path, respectively. The channel may be formed so as to be closer to the line connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the heat recovery medium in the heat recovery medium channel than the low temperature heat recovery channel. In general, in the heat recovery medium flow path, the flow rate of the heat recovery medium increases as it is closer to the line connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the heat recovery medium, and the flow rate of the heat recovery medium decreases as the distance from the line increases. According to the above configuration, the high temperature heat recovery flow path is closer to the line than the low temperature heat recovery flow path, so that high temperature heat recovery and low temperature heat recovery can be performed effectively.

Further, the high-temperature heat medium flow path and the low-temperature heat medium flow path are for circulating the heat medium downward, and the low-temperature heat medium flow path is provided at a position lower than the high-temperature heat medium flow path, The hot water storage tank may be provided with a high-temperature hot water outlet and a low-temperature hot water outlet at heights corresponding to the uppermost portions of the high-temperature heat medium flow path and the low-temperature heat medium flow path. In this case, for example, the hot water stored in the vicinity of the uppermost part of the high-temperature heat medium flow path, that is, the uppermost stream part, and the low-temperature heat medium flow path by pressurizing with water from the lower part of the hot water tank The hot water stored in the vicinity of the uppermost portion, that is, the vicinity of the uppermost stream portion, can be reliably discharged.

According to the present invention, hot water can be efficiently discharged from the hot water tank according to the hot water demand, and the system configuration can be simplified.

1 is a block diagram of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one form of the heat exchanger and hot water storage tank in a fuel cell system. (A) is a conceptual diagram which shows the heat exchanger in FIG. 2, (b) is a conceptual diagram which shows the flow distribution of the combustion gas in the heat exchanger in FIG. It is a figure which shows the temperature distribution of the heat medium in the heat exchanger of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other example of a heat exchanger. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other example of a heat exchanger. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other example of a heat exchanger. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other example of a heat exchanger. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other form of the heat exchanger and hot water tank in a fuel cell system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the further another form of the heat exchanger and hot water storage tank in a fuel cell system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or an equivalent part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 1 includes a desulfurization unit 2, a water vaporization unit 3, a hydrogen generation unit 4, a cell stack 5, an off-gas combustion unit 6, a hydrogen-containing fuel supply unit 7, The water supply part 8, the oxidizing agent supply part 9, the power conditioner 10, and the control part 11 are provided. The fuel cell system 1 generates power in the cell stack 5 using a hydrogen-containing fuel and an oxidant. The type of the cell stack 5 in the fuel cell system 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and phosphoric acid. A fuel cell (PAFC: Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell), a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC: Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell), and other types can be employed. 1 may be appropriately omitted depending on the type of cell stack 5, the type of hydrogen-containing fuel, the reforming method, and the like.

As the hydrogen-containing fuel, for example, a hydrocarbon fuel is used. As the hydrocarbon fuel, a compound containing carbon and hydrogen in the molecule (may contain other elements such as oxygen) or a mixture thereof is used. Examples of hydrocarbon fuels include hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, and biofuels. These hydrocarbon fuels are derived from conventional fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal, and synthetic systems such as synthesis gas. Those derived from fuel and those derived from biomass can be used as appropriate. Specific examples of hydrocarbons include methane, ethane, propane, butane, natural gas, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), city gas, town gas, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, and light oil. Examples of alcohols include methanol and ethanol. Examples of ethers include dimethyl ether. Examples of biofuels include biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, and biojet.

As the oxidizing agent, for example, air, pure oxygen gas (which may contain impurities that are difficult to remove by a normal removal method), or oxygen-enriched air is used.

The desulfurization unit 2 desulfurizes the hydrogen-containing fuel supplied to the hydrogen generation unit 4. The desulfurization part 2 has a desulfurization catalyst for removing sulfur compounds contained in the hydrogen-containing fuel. As the desulfurization method of the desulfurization unit 2, for example, an adsorptive desulfurization method that adsorbs and removes sulfur compounds and a hydrodesulfurization method that removes sulfur compounds by reacting with hydrogen are employed. The desulfurization unit 2 supplies the desulfurized hydrogen-containing fuel to the hydrogen generation unit 4.

The water vaporization unit 3 generates water vapor supplied to the hydrogen generation unit 4 by heating and vaporizing water. For the heating of the water in the water vaporization unit 3, for example, heat generated in the fuel cell system 1 such as recovering the heat of the hydrogen generation unit 4, the heat of the off-gas combustion unit 6, or the heat of the exhaust gas may be used. Moreover, you may heat water using other heat sources, such as a heater and a burner separately. In FIG. 1, only heat supplied from the off-gas combustion unit 6 to the hydrogen generation unit 4 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The water vaporization unit 3 supplies the generated water vapor to the hydrogen generation unit 4.

The hydrogen generation unit 4 generates a hydrogen rich gas (hydrogen-containing gas) using the hydrogen-containing fuel from the desulfurization unit 2. The hydrogen generator 4 has a reformer that reforms the hydrogen-containing fuel with a reforming catalyst. The reforming method in the hydrogen generating unit 4 is not particularly limited, and for example, steam reforming, partial oxidation reforming, autothermal reforming, and other reforming methods can be employed. The hydrogen generator 4 may have a configuration for adjusting the properties in addition to the reformer reformed by the reforming catalyst depending on the properties of the hydrogen rich gas required for the cell stack 5. For example, when the type of the cell stack 5 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) or a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), the hydrogen generation unit 4 is configured to remove carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-rich gas. (For example, a shift reaction part and a selective oxidation reaction part). The hydrogen generation unit 4 supplies a hydrogen rich gas to the anode 12 of the cell stack 5.

The cell stack 5 generates power using the hydrogen rich gas from the hydrogen generation unit 4 and the oxidant from the oxidant supply unit 9. The cell stack 5 includes an anode 12 to which a hydrogen-rich gas is supplied, a cathode 13 to which an oxidant is supplied, and an electrolyte 14 disposed between the anode 12 and the cathode 13. The cell stack 5 supplies power to the outside via the power conditioner 10. The cell stack 5 supplies the hydrogen rich gas and the oxidant, which have not been used for power generation, to the off gas combustion unit 6 as off gas. Note that a combustion section (for example, a combustor that heats the reformer) provided in the hydrogen generation section 4 may be shared with the off-gas combustion section 6.

The off gas combustion unit 6 burns off gas supplied from the cell stack 5. The heat generated by the off-gas combustion unit 6 is supplied to the hydrogen generation unit 4 and used for generation of a hydrogen rich gas in the hydrogen generation unit 4.

The hydrogen-containing fuel supply unit 7 supplies hydrogen-containing fuel to the desulfurization unit 2. The water supply unit 8 supplies water to the water vaporization unit 3. The oxidant supply unit 9 supplies an oxidant to the cathode 13 of the cell stack 5. The hydrogen-containing fuel supply unit 7, the water supply unit 8, and the oxidant supply unit 9 are configured by a pump, for example, and are driven based on a control signal from the control unit 11.

The power conditioner 10 adjusts the power from the cell stack 5 according to the external power usage state. For example, the power conditioner 10 performs a process of converting a voltage and a process of converting DC power into AC power.

The control unit 11 performs control processing for the entire fuel cell system 1. The control unit 11 is configured by a device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output interface, for example. The control unit 11 is electrically connected to a hydrogen-containing fuel supply unit 7, a water supply unit 8, an oxidant supply unit 9, a power conditioner 10, and other sensors and auxiliary equipment not shown. The control unit 11 acquires various signals generated in the fuel cell system 1 and outputs a control signal to each device in the fuel cell system 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-described fuel cell system 1 includes a casing 21 that is airtight with respect to external air, and a hot water tank 30 that is installed outside the casing 21. . The casing 21 accommodates the above-described devices and a heat exchanger 23. The heat exchanger 23 transfers heat from the combustion gas to the antifreeze liquid by circulating the offgas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack 5 (that is, the exhaust gas from the offgas combustion unit 6) and the antifreeze liquid as a heat medium. Heat the antifreeze. As the antifreeze, a flame retardant heat medium having a high boiling point, such as ethylene glycol, is used. The hot water storage tank 30 stores water therein and distributes the antifreeze liquid heated by the heat exchanger 23, thereby transferring heat from the antifreeze liquid to the water stored therein to heat the water. Hot water (that is, hot water) stored in the hot water tank 30 is discharged from the hot water tank 30 and supplied to hot water use equipment such as a bath in a facility where the fuel cell system 1 is installed. The hot water use facility is a device that performs a specific function (or operation) using hot water.

2 and FIG. 3A, the heat exchanger 23 is a box having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heat exchanger 23 includes a high-temperature heat recovery channel 24b for heating the antifreeze liquid to about 75 ° C., for example, and two low-temperature

heat recovery channels

24a and 24c for heating the antifreeze liquid to about 65 ° C., for example. Is formed. That is, the high-temperature heat recovery flow path 24b is a high-temperature heat recovery flow path for heating the antifreeze liquid to a predetermined temperature, and the two low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c have a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature. It is a low-temperature heat recovery flow path for heating. Further, the heat exchanger 23 is formed with a combustion gas passage 25 through which the off-gas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack 5 passes. In the heat exchanger 23, the flow direction of the antifreeze liquid in each of the heat recovery flow paths 24a to 24c and the flow direction of the combustion gas in the combustion gas flow path 25 are opposite to each other.

More specifically regarding the structure of the heat exchanger 23, a partition plate 26 that fixes the heat recovery passages 24 a to 24 c and the combustion gas passage 25 is fixed to the heat exchanger 23 so as to bisect the inside. Yes. Furthermore,

partition plates

27 and 27 that divide the low temperature heat recovery flow path 24a, the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b, and the low temperature heat recovery flow path 24c are fixed to the heat exchanger 23. With such a configuration, a plurality of heat recovery passages 24 a to 24 c and one combustion gas passage 25 are formed in a single heat exchanger 23. Each of the heat recovery flow paths 24a to 24c is adjacent to the combustion gas flow path 25 through the partition plate 26. The

partition plates

26 and 27 can take various shapes such as providing unevenness in order to increase the surface area contributing to heat recovery in consideration of heat recovery efficiency and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water tank 30 is a substantially cylindrical container extending in the vertical direction. From the vicinity of the uppermost part of the hot water tank 30 to a position slightly higher than the central part of the hot water tank 30 in the vertical direction, a high-temperature antifreeze liquid channel 31 is provided for circulating the heat medium downward. The high-temperature antifreeze liquid channel 31 is provided in the hot water tank 30 in the vertical direction, for example, in a zigzag shape or a spiral shape. The high temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 31 is connected to the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b of the heat exchanger 23 by a high temperature heat recovery line L1. The high temperature heat recovery line L1 is provided with a pump 28 for circulating an antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery line L1 and circulating between the hot water tank 30 and the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b.

On the other hand, a low-temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 33 is provided to flow the heat medium downward from a position slightly lower than the central portion in the vertical direction of the hot water tank 30 to the vicinity of the lowermost part of the hot water tank 30. The low-temperature antifreeze flow path 33 is provided in the hot water storage tank 30 in the vertical direction, for example, in a zigzag shape or a spiral shape. The low-temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 33 is connected to the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c of the heat exchanger 23 by a low-temperature heat recovery line L2. The low-temperature heat recovery line L2 is provided with a pump 29 for circulating an antifreeze liquid through the low-temperature heat recovery line L2 between the hot water tank 30 and the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c. Further, a water supply line L <b> 5 for supplying water from the outside into the hot water tank 30 is connected to the lowermost part of the hot water tank 30.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the combustion gas passage 25 is provided with a gas inlet portion 25a and a gas outlet portion 25b at both ends in the fuel gas flow direction. Both the gas inlet portion 25a and the gas outlet portion 25b are formed at a central position in the direction in which the heat recovery flow paths 24a to 24c are arranged in parallel. With such a configuration, for example, about 60% of the combustion gas flowing in the combustion gas passage 25 flows along the central line A connecting the gas inlet portion 25a and the gas outlet portion 25b, and the remaining 40% Every 20% flows through the sides on both sides of the combustion gas passage 25.

In the combustion gas channel 25 of the present embodiment, the high temperature heat recovery channel 24b is closer to the line A than the low temperature

heat recovery channels

24a and 24c. That is, the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b is larger than the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the antifreeze liquid in the low temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the temperature distribution of the antifreeze liquid in the heat exchanger 23. In FIG. 4, “left” means the low-temperature heat recovery flow path 24a, “middle” means the high-temperature heat recovery flow path 24b, and “right” means the low-temperature heat recovery flow path 24c. Further, “upstream”, “middle stream”, and “downstream” mean positions on the basis of the flow direction of the antifreeze liquid in each of the heat recovery flow paths 24a to 24c. That is, “upstream” is the lower side in the figure, and “downstream” is the upper side in the figure. As shown in FIG. 4, in the high-temperature heat recovery flow path 24b, the antifreeze is heated to 20 ° C., 50 ° C., and 75 ° C. as heat exchange proceeds upstream, midstream, and downstream. In the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c, the antifreeze is heated to 20 ° C., 45 ° C., and 65 ° C. as heat exchange proceeds upstream, midstream, and downstream.

In this way, the antifreeze liquid that has passed through the high temperature heat recovery line L1 and the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b flows through the high temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 31 at a high temperature of about 75 ° C., and hot water is stored by heat exchange while flowing downward. While the water in 30 is heated, the temperature returns to a low temperature of about 20 ° C. Further, the antifreeze liquid that has passed through the low-temperature heat recovery line L2 and the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c flows through the low-temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 33 at a relatively low temperature of about 65 ° C., and stores hot water by heat exchange while flowing downward. It returns to a low temperature of about 20 ° C. while heating the water in the tank 30. As a result, in the hot water storage tank 30, the hot water storage region 30a is formed on the upper side and the low temperature water storage region 30b is formed on the lower side with the central portion in the vertical direction as a boundary.

In the fuel cell system 1, the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b, the high temperature heat recovery line L1, and the high temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 31 constitute a closed high temperature heat recovery system, and the low temperature

heat recovery paths

24a and 24c, the low temperature heat recovery line A closed low-temperature heat recovery system is configured by L2 and the low-temperature antifreeze flow path 33.

At the top of the hot water tank 30, a high-temperature water hot water source 36 is provided. The high-temperature water hot-water supply unit 36 is connected to hot water utilization equipment such as a bath by a high-temperature hot-water supply line L3. In addition, a low-temperature water hot water discharge portion 37 is provided at a position slightly lower than the central portion in the vertical direction of the hot water tank 30. The low-temperature water hot water discharge section 37 is connected to hot water utilization equipment such as a bath by a low-temperature hot water supply line L4. The high-temperature and low-temperature

water discharge portions

36 and 37 are provided at substantially the same height as the uppermost portions (that is, the most upstream portions) of the high-temperature antifreeze flow channel 31 and the low-temperature antifreeze flow channel 33. The high temperature hot water line L3 and the low temperature hot water line L4 are provided with motor-operated

valves

38 and 39 for adjusting the flow rate of the hot water in the lines L3 and L4. Note that a water supply line (not shown) is connected to the high-temperature hot water line L3 and the low-temperature hot water line L4 in order to appropriately adjust the temperature of the hot water discharged.

In the fuel cell system 1 described above, the

pumps

28 and 29 are controlled by the control unit 11 so that the hot water storage region 30a and the low temperature water storage region 30b are formed in the hot water tank 30. Storage is performed. Moreover, according to the hot water use demand in hot water utilization equipment, the

motor control valves

38 and 39 are controlled by the control unit 11, and hot water is discharged to the hot water utilization equipment through the high temperature hot water supply line L3 and / or the low temperature hot water supply line L4.

Here, the control unit 11 may control the pump 28 and the pump 29 to operate simultaneously, or may control the pump 28 and the pump 29 to perform different operations. The control unit 11 may adjust the discharge flow rates of the pump 28 and the pump 29 by detecting the temperature in the heat exchanger 23. For example, when the temperature in the heat heat exchanger 23 is low, the control unit 11 mainly recovers heat using the low-temperature heat recovery line L2 and the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c, and the temperature in the heat exchanger 23 is high. Can also recover heat mainly by the high temperature heat recovery line L1 and the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b.

According to the fuel cell system 1, the heat exchanger 23 is formed with the high temperature heat recovery passage 24 b and the low temperature

heat recovery passages

24 a and 24 c, and the hot water storage tank 30 has the high temperature heat recovery passage 24 b. There are provided a high temperature antifreeze liquid channel 31 through which the heated antifreeze liquid flows and a low temperature antifreeze liquid channel 33 through which the heated antifreeze liquid flows through the low temperature

heat recovery channels

24a, 24c. Therefore, high-temperature water is stored around the high-temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 31, and relatively low-temperature water is stored around the low-temperature antifreeze liquid flow path 33. And hot water from the hot water storage tank 30 can be efficiently performed by appropriately discharging hot water and low temperature water according to the hot water demand. In addition, since the heat exchanger 23 has a function of both high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery, there is no need to provide a plurality of heat exchangers, and the system configuration can be simplified and the size reduction can be achieved. It has been.

Further, since the heat exchanger 23 is configured to heat the antifreeze liquid by transferring heat from the off-gas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack 5 to the antifreeze liquid, for example, it is efficient in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or the like. Heat recovery is possible.

Further, since the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b is larger than the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the antifreeze liquid in the low temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a, 24c, The amount of heat recovered in the antifreeze liquid is larger than the amount of heat recovered in the antifreeze liquid in the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c. Therefore, high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery can be performed effectively.

The high temperature heat recovery flow path 24b is closer to the line A connecting the gas inlet portion 25a and the gas outlet portion 25b of the combustion gas in the combustion gas flow path 25 than the low temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c. Thus, the antifreeze liquid in the high-temperature heat recovery flow path 24b is heated by the combustion gas having a large flow rate. On the other hand, the antifreeze liquid in the low-temperature heat

recovery flow paths

24a and 24c is heated by the combustion gas having a relatively small flow rate. Therefore, high-temperature heat recovery and low-temperature heat recovery can be performed effectively.

The high-temperature antifreeze flow channel 31 and the low-temperature antifreeze flow channel 33 are used to distribute the antifreeze downward, and the low-temperature antifreeze flow channel 33 is provided at a position lower than the high-temperature antifreeze flow channel 31 and stores hot water. Since the tank 30 is provided with a high-temperature water tap water portion 36 and a low-temperature water tap water portion 37 at heights corresponding to the uppermost portions of the high-temperature antifreeze flow channel 31 and the low-temperature antifreeze flow channel 33, the high-temperature antifreeze flow The hot water stored in the uppermost part of the channel 31, that is, the vicinity of the uppermost stream part, and the cold water stored in the uppermost part of the low-temperature antifreeze liquid channel 33, that is, in the vicinity of the uppermost stream part are reliably discharged. be able to.

In addition, since flame retardant oil having a high boiling point is used as the heat medium, the heat exchanger 23 and piping (high temperature heat recovery line L1, low temperature heat recovery line L2, high temperature antifreeze liquid channel 31, and low temperature antifreeze liquid channel 33) Corrosion and scale volume can be prevented, and a decrease in heat exchange capacity can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to realize heat recovery at a higher temperature than the temperature range exemplified above.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, the shape of the heat exchanger can take various modifications. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a multi-plate type heat exchanger 40 in which the layers in which the

heat recovery passages

41a, 41b, 41c are arranged in parallel and the layers of the combustion gas passages 42 are alternately stacked. Also good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical low temperature heat recovery passage 51a is formed around a columnar high temperature heat recovery passage 51b, and the combustion gas passage 52 is cooled from the high temperature heat recovery passage 51b to a low temperature. It is good also as the spiral tube type heat exchanger 50 extended spirally toward the heat recovery flow path 51a. According to this configuration, the combustion gas flowing through the combustion gas flow path 52 first heats the antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery flow path 51b and then heats the antifreeze liquid in the low temperature heat recovery flow path 51a. An effect can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a substantially cylindrical low temperature heat recovery flow path 61a is formed around a substantially cylindrical high temperature heat recovery flow path 61b, and the combustion gas flow path 62 is replaced with a high temperature heat recovery flow path 61b. And it is good also as the multi-tube type heat exchanger 60 formed in many in the low temperature heat recovery flow path 61a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a thick cylindrical low-temperature heat recovery flow path 71a is formed around a thin annular high-temperature heat recovery flow path 71b, and the combustion gas flow path 72 is replaced with a high-temperature heat recovery flow path 71b. It is good also as the double tube | pipe type heat exchanger 70 extended in the center. According to this configuration, the antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery flow path 71b is heated by the combustion gas flowing in the combustion gas flow path 72, and the antifreeze liquid in the low temperature heat recovery flow path 71a is further antifreeze liquid in the high temperature heat recovery flow path 71b. Heated by. In this case, the heat transfer property can be improved by arranging a spiral heat transfer plate or the like in the combustion gas flow path 72.

In the hot water storage tank 30, a partition plate that partitions the high temperature water storage area 30a and the low temperature water storage area 30b may be provided, or a high temperature hot water storage tank and a low temperature hot water storage tank may be provided. The hot water storage tank 30 not only stores hot water in a two-stage temperature range, but also provides, for example, a three-stage temperature range by providing the heat exchanger 23 with a three-stage heat recovery flow path of high temperature, medium temperature, and low temperature. You may store warm water.

The antifreeze may be circulated through the high-temperature heat recovery system, and water as a heat medium may be circulated through the low-temperature heat recovery system. Furthermore, the structure which distribute | circulates the water as a heat medium to a high temperature heat recovery system and a low temperature heat recovery system may be sufficient. Further, oil, air, a gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, or steam may be used as the heat medium.

In the above embodiment, the case where the high temperature heat recovery system pump 28 and the low temperature heat recovery system pump 29 are provided has been described. However, a common pump may be provided for these two systems.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a line L10 that connects the low-temperature antifreeze flow path 33 and the heat exchanger 23 is provided, and a heat recovery pump 80 that also serves as a high-temperature heat recovery system and a low-temperature heat recovery system is provided in the line L10. The fuel cell system 1A may be provided. In this case, outside the hot water storage tank 30, the outlet side of the high-temperature antifreeze liquid channel 31 of the high-temperature heat recovery line L1 can be connected to the inlet side of the low-temperature antifreeze liquid channel 33 of the low-temperature heat recovery line L2. Also in such a fuel cell system 1A, the temperature of the lower part of the high temperature water storage area | region 30a can be made higher than the temperature of the upper part of the low temperature water storage area | region 30b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a line L10 and a heat recovery pump 80 are provided, and the outlet side of the high temperature antifreeze flow path 31 of the high temperature heat recovery line L1 is connected to the suction side of the heat recovery pump 80 of the line L10. The fuel cell system 1B may be used.

In the above embodiment, the case where a hydrocarbon-based fuel that needs reforming is used as the hydrogen-containing fuel, but a gas that does not require reforming, such as pure hydrogen or a hydrogen-enriched gas, can also be used. In this case, a reformer in the hydrogen generator is not necessary.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the heat exchanger 23 uses the off-gas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack 5 has been described. However, heat is transferred from the heat recovery medium circulated from the cell stack 5 to the heat medium. It may be a heat exchanger that heats the heat medium. Specifically, the combustion gas passage 25 of the heat exchanger 23 of the above embodiment can be used as a heat recovery medium passage. As the heat recovery medium, a liquid having sufficiently low electrical conductivity such as pure water or antifreeze liquid can be used. According to this configuration, efficient heat recovery can be performed in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC).

DESCRIPTION OF

SYMBOLS

1,1A, 1B ... Fuel cell system, 5 ... Cell stack, 23 ... Heat exchanger, 24a, 24c ... Low temperature heat recovery flow path, 24b ... High temperature heat recovery flow path, 25 ... Combustion gas flow path, 25a ... Gas inlet Part, 25b ... gas outlet part, 30 ... hot water storage tank, 31 ... high temperature antifreeze liquid flow path (high temperature heat medium flow path), 33 ... low temperature antifreeze liquid flow path (low temperature heat medium flow path), 36 ... high temperature water tapping part, 37 ... Low-temperature water tap, 40, 50, 60, 70 ... heat exchanger, 41a, 41c, 51a, 61a, 71a ... low-temperature heat recovery channel, 41b, 51b, 61b, 71b ... high-temperature heat recovery channel, 42, 52 62, 72 ... combustion gas flow paths.

Claims

A cell stack for generating power using a hydrogen-containing gas;
A heat exchanger that heats the heat medium using heat discharged from the cell stack;
A hot water storage tank for storing water inside, circulating the heating medium heated by the heat exchanger, and transferring heat from the heating medium to the water to heat the water,
The heat exchanger includes a high-temperature heat recovery passage for heating the heat medium to a predetermined temperature, a low-temperature heat recovery passage for heating the heat medium to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, Is formed,
The hot water storage tank has a high-temperature heat medium flow path for circulating the heat medium heated through the high-temperature heat recovery flow path, and a low-temperature flow for circulating the heat medium heated through the low-temperature heat recovery flow path. And a heat medium flow path.
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger heats the heat medium by transferring heat from an off-gas combustion gas discharged from the cell stack to the heat medium.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger heats the heat medium by transferring heat from a heat recovery medium circulated from the cell stack to the heat medium.
The flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the heat medium in the high temperature heat recovery flow path is larger than the flow rate of the combustion gas for heating the heat medium in the low temperature heat recovery flow path. 3. The fuel cell system according to 2.
The heat exchanger is formed with a combustion gas flow path through which the combustion gas passes, and the high temperature heat recovery flow path and the low temperature heat recovery flow path adjacent to the combustion gas flow path, respectively. The recovery channel is formed so as to be closer to the line connecting the inlet and outlet of the combustion gas in the combustion gas channel than the low-temperature heat recovery channel. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 4.
The flow rate of the heat recovery medium for heating the heat medium in the high temperature heat recovery flow path is larger than the flow rate of the heat recovery medium for heating the heat medium in the low temperature heat recovery flow path. The fuel cell system according to claim 3.
The heat exchanger is formed with a heat recovery medium flow path through which the heat recovery medium passes, and the high temperature heat recovery flow path and the low temperature heat recovery flow path adjacent to the heat recovery medium flow path, respectively. The high temperature heat recovery flow path is formed so as to be closer to the line connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the heat recovery medium in the heat recovery medium flow path than the low temperature heat recovery flow path. The fuel cell system according to claim 3 or 6, wherein
The high temperature heat medium flow path and the low temperature heat medium flow path circulate the heat medium downward,
The low temperature heat medium flow path is provided at a position lower than the high temperature heat medium flow path,
The hot water storage tank is provided with a high-temperature hot water hot-water portion and a low-temperature hot water hot-water portion at heights corresponding to the uppermost portions of the high-temperature heat medium flow channel and the low-temperature heat medium flow channel, respectively. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.