JP2007250311A - Anti-freeze-blocking and freeze-block releasing method as well as system of drain exhaust pipe in solid polymer fuel cell generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent blocking of a drain exhaust pipe due to freezing as well as to release its blocking due to freezing by melting it. <P>SOLUTION: An exhaust duct 51 is arranged at a lower part of a case 47 of the PEFC power generator so as to penetrate in an inside and outside directions, inside which, a part further toward a tip side than a right downstream position of a shutoff valve 50 in the case 47 of the drain exhaust pipe 48 and a part protruded outside of the case 47 are all housed. At end parts inside the case 47 of the exhaust duct 51, a general exhaust line 29 is connected for guiding a consolidated exhaust 28 made by mixing a combustion exhaust 23 exhausted from a combustion chamber of a reformer 6 of a fuel treatment device 5 and a cathode exhaust 25 of a solid polymer fuel cell 1. During a power generating operation and a warm-up operation of the PEFC power generator, consolidated exhaust 28 is made circulated inside the exhaust duct 5 to make heat retained by the general exhaust 28 carry out heating and warm-keeping of the drain exhaust pipe 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, when a fuel cell power generator using a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is used in a cold region, etc., the drain discharged from the fuel cell power generator is frozen during operation and the drain discharge pipe is blocked. Freezing the drain discharge pipe of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for releasing the blockage by melting the freezing (freezing) in the drain discharge pipe blocked during the operation stop. The present invention relates to a blockage prevention and freeze blockage release method and apparatus.

  A fuel cell is expected to be an effective power generation device because it has higher thermal efficiency and less environmental pollution than other power generation methods using fuel. In particular, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) generates power at a low temperature of 100 ° C. or lower, and has a high output density. Therefore, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) can be reduced in size as compared with other types of fuel cells. In recent years, it has been used as a power generator for small-scale business use or home use because it has advantages such as little deterioration and easy start-up.

  A power generation device (PEFC power generation device) using the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is generally configured as shown in FIG. That is, both surfaces of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (not shown) in which a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane is used as an electrolyte are sandwiched between both cathode (air electrode) 2 and anode (fuel electrode) 3 gas diffusion electrodes. The solid polymer fuel cell 1 having a configuration in which a plurality of cells are stacked via a separator to form a stack and one cooling unit 4 is provided for every several cells is provided. Further, on the inlet side of the anode 3 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1, a fuel processor 5 including a reformer 6, a shift converter 7, and a CO remover 8 in order from the upstream side, a humidifier 9, A fuel (raw material) 12 such as city gas (natural gas) or kerosene supplied through the fuel supply line 11 by the operation of the fuel pump 10 is supplied to the desulfurization reactor 13 on the fuel supply line 11. After the desulfurization treatment, the preheater 14 preheats, then supplies the steam 16 guided from the evaporator 15 to the reformer 6 of the fuel processing device 5 together with the steam 16 to perform steam reforming, and the resulting reformed gas (Fuel gas) 12a is introduced into the shift converter 7 to cause a shift reaction, and further subjected to CO removal processing by the CO remover 8, and then supplied to the anode 3 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 through the humidifier 9. It is like that. On the other hand, an air blower 17 is connected to the humidifier 9 on the inlet side of the cathode 2 through an oxidizing gas supply line 18, and air A is compressed by the air blower 17 as an oxidizing gas (oxygen-containing gas). After that, it is supplied to the cathode 2 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 through the humidifier 9.

  With this configuration, in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1, an electrochemical reaction (battery) between hydrogen in the reformed gas 12 a supplied to the anode 3 side and oxygen in the air A supplied to the cathode 2 side. Reaction) and the generated electromotive force is taken out.

  The anode exhaust 19 discharged from the outlet side of the anode 3 is led to the combustion chamber (not shown) of the reformer 6 of the fuel processor 5 through the anode exhaust line 20. Further, a part of the fuel 12 can be supplied to the combustion chamber of the reformer 6 through a fuel line 21 branched from the fuel supply line 11. Combustion components such as unreacted hydrogen remaining in the anode exhaust 19 and the fuel 12 are combusted by using air A supplied through an air line 22 branched from the oxidizing gas supply line 18. It can be used as a heat source for steam reforming of the fuel 12 in the mass device 6.

  The combustion exhaust 23 discharged from the combustion chamber of the reformer 6 is sequentially led to the preheater 14 provided in the evaporator 15 and the fuel supply line 11 through the combustion exhaust line 24, and the waste heat of the combustion exhaust 23 is obtained. Is used as a heat source for steam generation and a heat source for fuel preheating.

  On the other hand, the cathode exhaust 25 discharged from the outlet side of the cathode 2 is led to the drain separator 27 through the cathode exhaust line 26, and after separating and removing the drain, it joins the combustion exhaust 23 guided through the combustion exhaust line 24. Thus, after the exhaust gas is made into the comprehensive exhaust 28, it is discharged to the outside through the comprehensive exhaust line 29. The drain separated by the drain separator 27 is collected in the pure water tank 30 and supplied from the pure water tank 30 to the evaporator 15 through the water supply line 31 with the water supply pump 32 as water for generating steam. In other words, it is reused as the battery cooling water 33 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 described below.

  That is, the pure water tank 30 is connected to the inlet side of the cooling unit 4 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 through a cooling water line 36 provided with a cooling water pump 34 and a radiator 35 in order from the upstream side, and The other end of the cooling water return line 37 having one end connected to the outlet side of the cooling unit 4 is connected to the pure water tank 30. Thereby, during the operation of the solid polymer fuel cell 1, the battery cooling water 33 led from the pure water tank 30 to the cooling water line 36 is passed through the radiator 35 by the operation of the cooling water pump 34. Is supplied to the cooling unit 4 of the fuel cell 1 to exchange heat with the generated heat of the fuel cell reaction in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 so that the cell temperature can be cooled (water-cooled). The battery cooling water 33 that is heated and discharged after being supplied is returned to the pure water tank 30 via a cooling water return line 37 and circulated.

  Further, in the PEFC power generator, when the waste heat of the power generator can be used as a heat source for hot water supply and so on, so-called cogeneration system is realized, for example, as shown in FIG. The hot water 39 having the required temperature is generated from the heat held by the cathode exhaust 25 of the molecular fuel cell 1 and the heat held by the battery cooling water 33 after being used for water cooling of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1. The following hot water recovery device 38 for recovery is attached.

  That is, the hot water recovery device 38 includes a cathode exhaust heat exchanger 40 provided for recovering heat from the cathode exhaust 25 at a position upstream of the drain separator 27 on the cathode exhaust line 26, and the cooling water line 36. For example, a battery cooling water heat exchanger 41 provided for recovering heat from the battery cooling water 33 between the cooling water pump 34 and the radiator 35, and an outlet of the hot water storage tank 42 having heat retaining properties. It is set as the structure connected in series via the hot water collection | recovery line 43 provided with the circulating hot water pump which is not shown in figure between the side and the inlet side. Thus, during operation of the circulating hot water pump, the hot water 39 in the hot water storage tank 42 is circulated and supplied to the cathode exhaust heat exchanger 40 via the hot water recovery line 43 to exchange heat with the cathode exhaust 25. The circulating hot water 39 is heated, and the hot water 39 is circulated and supplied to the battery cooling water heat exchanger 41 to cool the battery temperature at the cooling unit 4 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1. Heat exchange with the battery cooling water 33 flowing through the cooling water line 36 after being provided, and further heating the circulating hot water 39, and repeating the heating in the heat exchangers 40 and 41, The hot water 39 can be stored in the hot water tank 42 while being heated to a required temperature. Reference numeral 44 denotes a hot water supply line for supplying (hot water supply) hot water 39 stored in the hot water storage tank 42 to a required demand destination, and 45 is a water supply line for supplying water to the hot water storage tank 42. .

  By the way, in general, in a power generation apparatus using a fuel cell, the fuel is often steam reformed to generate hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell. In many cases, the gas supplied to the fuel cell or the gas exhausted from the fuel cell contains a large amount of water vapor due to the reaction of generating water by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. For this reason, when a gas containing a large amount of water vapor as described above flows in the distribution line (pipe), the water vapor in the gas may condense due to a temperature change or the like to generate drainage.

  When drain is generated in the gas distribution line in this way, the flow passage cross-sectional area in the distribution line is reduced or the distribution line is blocked in the drain generation portion, thereby obstructing the gas distribution in the distribution line. There is a concern that For example, when drain is generated in a supply line for supplying reformed gas (fuel gas) to the fuel cell, the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the reformed gas supply line decreases or the flow path is blocked. In some cases, the reformed gas may be unstablely supplied to the fuel cell, which may cause inconveniences such as the power generation performance of the fuel cell being affected. For this reason, it is considered that drain generated in the gas distribution line needs to be removed as quickly as possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Therefore, in the PEFC power generation device as shown in FIG. 10 (a) and the PEFC power generation device provided with the hot water recovery device 38 as shown in FIG. 10 (b), for example, as shown by the two-dot chain line, for example, the fuel processing device 5 for recovering the reformed gas 12a reformed in 5 to the humidifier 9, and recovering the drain 46 from a position downstream of the preheater 14 in the combustion exhaust line 24, or in the pure water tank 30. Excess water is collected as drain 46 and individually or appropriately combined to be discharged to the outside of the casing (not shown) of the PEFC power generator through a drain discharge pipe.

JP-A-8-185883 JP 2003-77495 A

  However, when the PEFC power generator as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is used in an environment where the temperature is below freezing, such as in winter or in a cold region, the PEFC power generator is exposed outside the casing of the PEFC power generator. There is a possibility that the drain 46 to be discharged in the drain discharge pipe may be frozen, and if the drain discharge pipe is closed due to the freezing of the drain 46, there is a possibility that the operation of the PEFC power generator may be hindered. is there. Even if the above-mentioned problem of freezing and clogging in the drain discharge pipe does not occur due to heat generated inside the PEFC power generator during normal operation, the PEFC power generator Since the apparatus temperature decreases during the operation stop period, there is a possibility that the drain discharge pipe freezes and closes during the operation stop period. Thus, the drain discharge pipe in the PEFC power generator is frozen during the operation stop period. When the blockage occurs, there is a concern that the PEFC power generator may be hindered when it is next started.

  In order to avoid the above-described problem caused by the freezing and clogging of the drain discharge pipe, it is conceivable as a general countermeasure to wind a pipe heater around the drain discharge pipe.

  However, when a pipe heater is wound around the drain discharge pipe, the auxiliary machine power during operation and the starting energy at the time of starting increase. Therefore, the performance as a PEFC power generator, as shown in FIG. As described above, in the case where a warm water recovery device is attached to achieve a cogeneration system, there arises a problem that the performance of the entire cogeneration system is reduced. In addition, the piping heater and its associated equipment must be prepared separately, and there is a concern that the cost increases due to an increase in equipment and complexity of the control logic.

  Therefore, the present invention can heat and keep the drain discharge pipe using the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device, and there is a problem of freeze clogging of the drain discharge pipe without using a separate pipe heater. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe and a freezing and clogging release in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator capable of eliminating the above-mentioned problem.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a portion of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator that protrudes outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion. Method for preventing freezing and clogging of drain discharge pipe in solid polymer fuel cell power generator heated and kept by waste heat, and freezing clogging release method, and above power generator at required position of casing in solid polymer fuel cell power generator A drain discharge pipe for discharging drain generated at a required drain generation source to the outside of the casing is provided to protrude outside the casing, and a portion of the drain discharge pipe that protrudes outside the casing, and the casing from the protruding portion An exhaust duct that accommodates the required inner length region is provided to penetrate the required position of the casing inward and outward, and the waste heat of the power generator is introduced between the exhaust duct and the drain discharge pipe. And freezing deoccluding and freeze unblocking apparatus of the drain discharge pipe in a solid polymer fuel cell power plant having a configuration in which the so that.

  Specifically, as the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping the portion of the drain discharge pipe protruding outside the housing in the above configuration and the required length region inside the housing from the protruding portion The method of using the heat held in the combustion exhaust of the reformer in the power generator, and the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator as the combustion exhaust from the reformer of the power generator, A combustion exhaust line that guides the combustion exhaust is connected to an exhaust duct so that the combustion exhaust is guided between the exhaust duct and the drain discharge pipe.

  Further, in the above configuration, a method of discharging the combustion exhaust after having been used for heating and heat insulation of the drain discharge pipe to the outside after mixing with the cathode exhaust of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and an exhaust duct A double cylinder structure comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder whose outer end side is longer than the inner cylinder, and a portion protruding outside the casing of the drain discharge pipe inside the inner cylinder and a casing from the protruding portion An internal length region is accommodated, a combustion exhaust line is connected to the inner cylinder, and a cathode exhaust line is connected to the outer cylinder to guide cathode exhaust between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. An apparatus having the above-described configuration is provided.

  Further, the combustion exhaust used as the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator is heat exchanged with the hot water in the hot water recovery device, and the upstream side of the connection position with the exhaust duct in the combustion exhaust line In addition, the combustion exhaust gas flowing through the combustion exhaust line and the hot water in the hot water recovery device configured to recover the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device and generate hot water to be stored in the hot water storage tank. The apparatus has a configuration in which a heat exchanger for heat exchange is provided.

  Furthermore, as a waste heat of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion, a solid polymer type Method of using the heat of cathode exhaust of a fuel cell, or the comprehensive exhaust obtained by mixing the combustion exhaust of the reformer in the power generator and the cathode exhaust, and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator As waste heat of the solid polymer fuel cell cathode exhaust, and connecting the cathode exhaust line leading to the cathode exhaust to the exhaust duct, leading the cathode exhaust between the exhaust duct and the drain exhaust pipe, Alternatively, as the waste heat of the power generator, a comprehensive exhaust obtained by mixing the combustion exhaust of the reformer of the power generator and the cathode exhaust, and a general exhaust line that leads the comprehensive exhaust is connected to an exhaust duct. To, a device having a structure so as to guide between the total exhaust exhaust duct and the drain discharge pipe.

  Further, as a waste heat of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion, a solid polymer fuel A method of using the heat stored in the hot water recovery device in which the waste heat of the battery power generation device is recovered by heat to generate hot water and stored in a hot water storage tank, and solid polymer fuel cell power generation In the vicinity of the tip of the drain discharge pipe for discharging the drain generated at a required drain generation source in the apparatus to the outside of the housing, the waste heat of the power generation apparatus is recovered by heat to generate hot water and stored in the hot water storage tank. Thus, it is set as the apparatus which has the structure which distribute | circulated the warm water in a certain warm water collection | recovery apparatus, and provided the heat exchanger for heating and heat-retaining the said drain discharge pipe.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited.
(1) In a solid polymer fuel cell power generation device, a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the housing and a required length region inside the housing from the protruding portion are heated and kept warm by waste heat of the power generation device. Since there is a freeze clogging prevention / freezing clogging prevention method and apparatus for a drain discharge pipe in a molecular fuel cell power generation apparatus, the drain discharge pipe can be used even when the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation apparatus is installed in a cold region or the like. Is heated and kept warm by the waste heat of the power generator, so that it is possible to prevent a portion of the drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing from being frozen and blocked during operation of the power generator. By heating the drain discharge pipe that is frozen while the period is stopped at the time of start-up, the freeze can be thawed to release the freezing blockage, and the solid polymer fuel cell power generator can be operated stably. Become. Since the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device is used as a heat source for heating and heat-retaining the drain discharge pipe, devices that serve as a heat source for heating the drain discharge pipe such as a pipe heater It is possible to reduce the number of devices and simplify the control logic, and to reduce the manufacturing cost compared to the case where equipment for heating the drain discharge pipe such as the piping heater is equipped. Can be reduced. Furthermore, the power of the system can be reduced as compared with the case where a pipe heater or the like is used, and the power generation efficiency of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator can be improved.
(2) As a waste heat of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion, By using the method and apparatus that uses the heat held in the combustion exhaust of the reformer, the heat held in the combustion exhaust that becomes a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher during the power generation operation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator The drain discharge pipe can be efficiently heated and kept warm by use, and the possibility of freezing and blocking of the drain discharge pipe can be prevented. On the other hand, even during the warming-up operation for starting the power generation device, the combustion exhaust gas has a higher temperature than other exhaust gases in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device. Even if the drain pipe freezes at the portion of the drain discharge pipe that protrudes outside the casing during the operation stop period of the power generator and the drain pipe is blocked, the drain pipe is efficiently melted during the warm-up operation period. Thus, the blockage of the drain discharge pipe can be released.
(3) Combustion exhaust after being subjected to heating and heat retention of the drain discharge pipe is mixed with cathode exhaust of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and then discharged to the outside, or the polymer electrolyte fuel in the above By using a method and apparatus in which the combustion exhaust used as the waste heat of the battery power generation apparatus is heat exchanged with the hot water in the hot water recovery apparatus, the solid polymer fuel cell power generation apparatus has a temperature of 100 ° C. or higher during the power generation operation. When the drain exhaust pipe is heated and kept warm using the heat of the combustion exhaust that becomes high-temperature exhaust, the temperature of the combustion exhaust is set to some extent before or after the drain exhaust pipe is heated and kept warm. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the combustion exhaust from being discharged to the outside at a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher, and to allow a person to approach the tip of the exhaust duct outside the housing. It is possible to perform the installation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system in such a state.
(4) Solid polymer type as waste heat of a solid polymer type fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion A solid polymer can also be obtained by using a method and an apparatus for using the heat of cathode exhaust of a fuel cell or the comprehensive exhaust obtained by mixing the combustion exhaust of the reformer and the cathode exhaust of the power generator. During the power generation operation of the fuel cell power generator, the drain discharge pipe can be heated and kept warm, and the risk of freezing and clogging of the drain discharge pipe can be prevented. During the warm-up operation, using the heat held by the cathode exhaust and the general exhaust, the drain frozen in the drain discharge pipe during the shutdown period of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device is melted, Drainage Thereby releasing the blockage of the tube.
(5) Solid polymer type as waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping the portion of the drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and the required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion The solid heat can also be obtained by using a method and an apparatus for using the heat stored in the hot water recovery device in which the waste heat of the fuel cell power generator is recovered by heat to generate hot water and stored in the hot water storage tank. During the power generation operation of the polymer fuel cell power generator, the drain discharge pipe can be heated and kept warm to prevent the drain discharge pipe from being frozen and clogged. During the warming-up operation, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank of the hot water recovery device is used to freeze in the drain discharge pipe during the shutdown period of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device. Melt the drain , It is possible to release the blockage of the drain discharge pipe.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 (a) (b) and FIG. 2 (b) (b) show one embodiment of a method and an apparatus for preventing freezing clogging and releasing a frozen clogging of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator of the present invention. A drain discharge pipe for guiding and discharging drain 46 generated at a required portion of the PEFC power generator having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 10 (a) to the outside of the casing 47 of the PEFC power generator. A portion projecting to the outside of the housing 47 at the front end portion (downstream end portion) of 48 and a required length region connected to the projecting portion inside the housing 47 are waste heat of the PEFC power generation device. Heat possessed by the general exhaust 28 formed by joining the cathode exhaust 25 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 and the combustion exhaust 23 discharged from the combustion chamber (not shown) of the reformer 6 of the fuel processor 5. Can be heated and kept warm by To.

  Specifically, the drain discharge pipe 48 is connected to a required drain generation source 49 such as various gas pipes and pure water tanks in the PEFC power generator as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The collected drain 46 is a single pipe that can be discharged together, and the drain 46 that is led from the drain generation source 49 to the drain discharge pipe 48 during the operation of the PEFC power generation apparatus is appropriately connected to the casing 47 as necessary. In order to be able to discharge to the outside, a shutoff valve 50 such as an electromagnetic valve is provided at a required position on the distal end side of the drain discharge pipe 48 and inside the housing 47.

  Further, the drain discharge pipe 48 as described above is usually provided at a low position so that the generated drain 46 can be collected by using its own weight and sent to the discharge side. In view of the above, an exhaust duct 51 having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the drain discharge pipe 48, for example, a rectangular cross-sectional shape is provided at a lower required position of the casing 47 so as to penetrate inward and outward directions, The inside of the exhaust duct 51, for example, all of the portion of the distal end portion of the drain discharge pipe 48 that protrudes to the outside of the casing 47 along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) at the center, and the inside of the casing 47 A required length region connected to the projecting portion is accommodated, for example, a region on the tip side of the immediately downstream position of the shutoff valve 50 is accommodated. The drain discharge pipe 48 has a distal end bent downward, and a lower end of the bent portion 48a is disposed so as to slightly protrude downward through the lower surface plate of the exhaust duct 51. Is fixed to the lower surface plate of the exhaust duct 51 so that the front end opening 48b of the drain discharge pipe 48 is exposed to the outside of the housing 47 below the middle position of the exhaust duct 51. . Further, the downstream end of the general exhaust line 29 is connected to the end of the exhaust duct 51 inside the housing 47. As a result, after the outer peripheral surface from the position immediately downstream of the shutoff valve 50 in the drain discharge pipe 48 to the position near the tip opening 48a is guided into the exhaust duct 51 from the general exhaust line 29, the exhaust duct 51 51 is in contact with (exposed to) the overall exhaust 28 discharged to the outside of the housing 47 through 51.

  In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the freeze clogging prevention and freezing clogging release device of the drain discharge pipe is used, the comprehensive exhaust 28 during the power generation operation (normal operation) of the PEFC power generation device is used. As shown by the line c in FIG. 3, the combustion exhaust 23 (line a) having a temperature of about 85 ° C. to 130 ° C. and the cathode exhaust 25 (line b) having a temperature of about 25 ° C. to 65 ° C. are mixed. Therefore, the temperature is about 30 ° C to 85 ° C.

  Therefore, in the exhaust duct 51, the outside of the portion from the position immediately downstream of the shut-off valve 50 to the position near the tip opening 48a at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 is about 30 to 85 ° C. Since the exhaust gas 28 circulates, a portion from the position immediately downstream of the shutoff valve 50 to the position in the vicinity of the front end opening portion 48 a at the front end portion of the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated by heat exchange with the general exhaust gas 28. can do. Thereby, even if the external atmosphere of the housing 47 is below freezing point, the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 can always be kept at a temperature of about 25 ° C. or higher. Therefore, the drain discharge pipe 48 The possibility of the drain 46 freezing at the tip end of the fuel cell can be eliminated, and the possibility that the drain discharge pipe 48 is frozen and blocked during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generator can be prevented.

  On the other hand, during the period when the operation of the PEFC power generation apparatus is stopped, the flow of the comprehensive exhaust 28 in the exhaust duct 51 is stopped, so that the drain 46 is frozen at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48. There is a fear. However, the warm-up operation for starting up the PEFC power generation apparatus usually requires about 1 hour, and during this warm-up operation period, the general exhaust 28 is about 25 ° C. as shown in FIG. It has become. Therefore, during the warm-up operation of the PEFC power generator, the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be continuously heated in the exhaust duct 51 by heat exchange with the general exhaust 28 at about 25 ° C. As is apparent from the results of the embodiment, the drain 46 frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 can be thawed during the warming operation period by heat exchange with the general exhaust 28. Therefore, when the PEFC power generator is warmed up and then the power generation operation is started, the freeze blockage in the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released (resolved).

  Thus, according to the method and apparatus for preventing freezing and clogging of the drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device of the present invention, the drain discharge pipe 48 of the PEFC power generation device is disposed of in the PEFC power generation device. Heat and heat can be retained by the heat retained by the general exhaust 28, which is heat, and the drain discharge pipe 48 can be prevented from being frozen and clogged during operation of the PEFC power generation device. Even if the pipe 48 is frozen and closed, the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released and the flow path can be opened during the warm-up operation period for starting the PEFC power generator, thereby stabilizing the PEFC power generator. And can drive.

  Also, as the heat source for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48, the heat stored in the general exhaust 28, which is one of the waste heat of the PEFC power generator, is used. Eliminates the need for separate equipment to be used as a heat source for heating, reduces equipment and simplifies control logic, and is equipped with equipment for heating the drain discharge pipe such as the above-mentioned pipe heater. Compared to the case, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the lower waste heat of the PEFC power generator is used as a heat source for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48, the power of the system can be reduced as compared with the case where a pipe heater or the like is used. Thus, it is possible to improve the power generation efficiency of the PEFC power generator.

  In the above-described embodiment, a portion from the position immediately downstream of the shutoff valve 50 at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 to the position near the tip opening 48a is accommodated in the exhaust duct 51. When the shut-off valve 50 has a performance capable of withstanding the temperature condition and the atmospheric condition of the general exhaust 28 that flows through the exhaust duct 51, the shut-off valve 50 in the drain discharge pipe 48 as shown in FIG. The attachment location may also be accommodated inside the exhaust duct 51. Furthermore, as long as the connection between the drain discharge pipe 48, the exhaust duct 51, and other piping inside the casing 47 is unreasonable or the workability permits, the drain discharge pipe 48 is as far upstream as possible from the shutoff valve 50. This range may be accommodated in the exhaust duct 51. In this way, the region that can be heated and kept warm by the general exhaust 28 at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be extended to the upstream side, and the drain discharge pipe 48 can be heated and kept warm more effectively. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the portion of the drain discharge pipe 48 accommodated in the exhaust duct 51 and the general exhaust 28 flowing through the exhaust duct 51, the heating and heat insulation effects of the drain pipe 48 are improved. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), for example, a plate-shaped heat transfer fin 52 projecting in the radial direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drain discharge pipe 48 to circulate through the exhaust duct 51. The heat receiving area from the exhaust 28 may be increased.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the drain discharge pipe 48 is shown as a single pipe for discharging the drain 46 all together, but in FIGS. 1 (a) (b) and 2 (a) (b) Similarly to the illustrated embodiment, in one exhaust duct 51 provided at a lower position of the casing 47, although not shown, it is individually connected to a plurality of drain generation sources 49 in the PEFC power generator. You may make it accommodate the front-end | tip part of a certain some drain discharge pipe 48 collectively. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent the possibility of freezing and clogging at the distal end portion of each drain discharge pipe 48. Further, even if the drain discharge pipes 48 are frozen and clogged during the operation stop period, it is possible to release the clogging by melting the freezing of the drain discharge pipes 48 during the warm-up operation period.

  Next, FIGS. 6 (a) and (b) show another embodiment of the present invention, and in the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and (b) and FIGS. 2 (a) and (b), As a heat source for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48, instead of using the heat held by the general exhaust 28, the reformer 6 of the fuel processing device 5 is one of the waste heat of the PEFC power generation device. The heat held by the combustion exhaust 23 discharged from the combustion chamber is used as a heat source for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature of the combustion exhaust 23 indicated by the line a is higher than the temperature of the general exhaust 28 indicated by the line c both during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generation device and during the warm-up operation period. In view of this, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 is brought into contact with the combustion exhaust 23 having a higher temperature than the general exhaust 28, thereby The efficiency of heating and heat retention at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be improved.

  Further, as apparent from FIG. 3, the combustion exhaust 23 is at a relatively low temperature because it is approximately 80 ° C. or less during the warm-up operation period of the PEFC power generation device, but is 100 ° C. during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generation device. High temperature exceeding For this reason, in the present embodiment, the combustion exhaust 23 having a high temperature even after the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated and kept warm is provided at the lower required position of the casing 47 in correspondence with the arrangement of the drain discharge pipe 48. The exhaust gas 23 after being subjected to heating and heat insulation of the drain discharge pipe 48 is mixed with the cathode exhaust gas 25 so as to avoid being discharged to the outside as it is through the existing exhaust duct. Then, it can be discharged to the outside.

  Specifically, an exhaust duct provided in the inner and outer direction at a lower required position of the housing 47 in the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and (B) and FIGS. (B) Like the exhaust duct 51 shown in (B) and FIGS. 2 (B) and (B), it has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and includes a portion projecting to the outside of the casing 47 at the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48. It has a double cylinder structure comprising an inner cylinder 53a that accommodates the entire length of the region on the tip side from the position immediately downstream of the shutoff valve 50, and an outer cylinder 53b disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 53a. Let the front-end | tip part of the said outer cylinder 53b outside the body 47 be the exhaust duct 53 of a structure which protrudes a required dimension rather than the front-end | tip part of the inner cylinder 53a. A downstream end portion of the combustion exhaust line 24 is connected to a base end portion of the inner cylinder 53a inside the casing 47 in the exhaust duct 53, and a drain separator 27 is connected to a base end portion of the outer cylinder 53b. After that, the downstream end of the cathode exhaust line 26 is connected. As a result, the combustion exhaust 23 introduced from the combustion exhaust line 24 into the inner cylinder 53a and the cathode guided from the cathode exhaust line 26 to the inter-cylinder flow path 54 between the inner cylinder 53a and the outer cylinder 53b. The exhaust 25 can be circulated toward the outside of the casing 47, and further inside the inner cylinder 53a inside the tip of the outer cylinder 53b protruding from the inner cylinder 53a. Combustion exhaust 23 after passing through and the cathode exhaust 25 guided through the inter-cylinder channel 54 are mixed, and the overall exhaust 28 resulting from this mixing is discharged from the tip of the outer cylinder 53b to the outside. It is made to be able to.

  The leading end of the drain discharge pipe 48 has a bent portion 48a bent downward, and sequentially passes through the lower surface plate of the inner cylinder 53a and the outer tube 53b in the exhaust duct 53 and below the lower surface plate of the outer tube 53b. By disposing it so as to protrude slightly, the tip opening 48 b of the drain discharge pipe 48 is exposed to the outside of the housing 47 below the middle position of the drain discharge pipe 53. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  According to the present embodiment, during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generator, the drain discharge pipe 48 can be more efficiently heated and kept warm by the combustion exhaust 23 having a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher as described above. The possibility of freezing and clogging in the discharge pipe 48 can be prevented beforehand. Further, during the warming-up operation of the PEFC power generator, as shown in FIG. 3, the drain 46 frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 during the operation stop period of the PEFC power generator by the combustion exhaust 23 having a temperature of about 38 ° C. Since melting can be performed more efficiently, the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released more efficiently during the warm-up operation period, as is apparent from the results of the examples described later.

  Moreover, even if the combustion exhaust 23 that has a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher during operation of the PEFC power generator has a high temperature even after it has been heated and kept warm, the end of the exhaust duct 53 Since the exhaust gas is mixed with the cathode exhaust gas 25 so as to be discharged to the outside after being mixed with the cathode exhaust gas 25, for example, a person can easily approach the PEFC power generator. Even in such a situation, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the combustion exhaust 23 having a temperature higher than that of the exhaust duct 53 is exhausted and a person is burned.

  In addition, for example, an enclosure is provided around the PEFC power generation device so that a person cannot easily approach the tip of the exhaust duct, or the combustion exhaust 23 after the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated and kept warm is used as the PEFC. In the case where measures such as directing to a position where a person such as the upper part of the power generation device cannot easily approach and then releasing to the outside are taken separately, the exhaust duct 53 having the double cylinder structure is replaced. As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) (b) and 2 (b) (b), the exhaust pipe 51 having a single cylinder structure accommodates the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48. The exhaust gas 23 led from the combustion exhaust line 24 may be circulated in the duct 51 so that the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated and kept warm.

  Next, FIGS. 7A and 7B show still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated and kept warm. In the configuration in which the heat held by the combustion exhaust 23 of the reformer 6 of the fuel processing device 5 is used as a heat source, the combustion exhaust 23 becomes a high temperature exhaust gas exceeding 100 ° C. during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generation device. However, after being used for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48, the combustion exhaust 23 is mixed with the cathode exhaust 25 to reduce the temperature in order to avoid being discharged outside at a high temperature. Instead of using the exhaust gas 28 as a general exhaust gas 28, the combustion exhaust gas 23 is attached to the PEFC power generator to recover the waste heat of the PEFC power generator to generate hot water 34 at the required temperature. To let And by the hot water 39 and the heat exchanger of the hot water recovery device 38 are, in which to be able to temperature drop to the required temperature.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exhaust duct 51 is provided at a lower required position of the casing 47 so as to penetrate inward and outward, and the exhaust The central portion of the duct 51 accommodates a portion of the distal end portion of the drain discharge pipe 48 that protrudes to the outside of the housing 47 and a region on the distal end side from the position immediately downstream of the shutoff valve 50 provided inside the housing 47. I will let you.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the PEFC power generation device is connected to the hot water recovery device 38 for cogeneration system formation, that is, the outlet side and the inlet side of the hot water tank 42 as shown in FIG. In the meantime, a cathode exhaust heat exchanger 40 on the cathode exhaust line 26 and a battery cooling water heat exchanger 41 on the cooling water line 36 are connected to a hot water recovery line 43 having a hot water circulation pump (not shown). As a configuration in which a hot water recovery device 38 that is connected in series via a hot water is provided, a required portion of the hot water recovery line 43, for example, hot water between the battery cooling water heat exchanger 41 and the hot water storage tank 42, is provided. A combustion exhaust heat exchanger 55 for exchanging heat between the hot water 39 flowing through the hot water recovery line 43 and the combustion exhaust 23 is provided on the recovery line 43, and a downstream end portion of the combustion exhaust line 24 is provided. By way of the combustion exhaust gas heat recovery heat exchanger 55 and constituting connected to the housing 47 inside the proximal end of the exhaust duct 51.

  In this case, the cathode exhaust 25 is not discharged as the comprehensive exhaust 28 mixed with the combustion exhaust 23, but is discharged outside by the cathode exhaust 25 alone. For this purpose, after passing through the drain separator 27, the cathode exhaust line 26 is appropriately arranged to reach, for example, the upper required position of the casing 47, and the cathode exhaust 25 is discharged from the upper required position of the casing 47 to the outside. I am trying to make it. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When using the freeze blockage prevention and freeze blockage release device of the drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, first, during the power generation operation (normal operation) of the PEFC power generation device Then, the hot water circulation pump of the hot water recovery device 38 is operated so that the hot water 39 is circulated in the hot water recovery line 43. As a result, as described above, the combustion exhaust 23 having a high temperature of 100 ° C. or more during the power generation operation of the PEFC power generation apparatus is led to the combustion exhaust heat exchanger 55 on the hot water recovery line 43 through the combustion exhaust line 24. At that time, heat is exchanged with the hot water 39 circulating through the hot water recovery line 43 and the temperature is lowered to a required temperature of about 100 ° C. or less. Thereafter, the combustion exhaust 23 whose temperature has been lowered to the required temperature is guided to the exhaust duct 51, so that the end of the drain discharge pipe 48 accommodated in the exhaust duct 51 remains in the combustion exhaust 23. Since the heat can be heated and kept at least at about 25 ° C. or more, the drain discharge pipe 48 can be prevented from freezing and clogging. At this time, in the hot water recovery device 38, the hot water 39 circulated and supplied to the combustion exhaust heat exchanger 55 through the hot water recovery line 43 can be heated by the high-temperature combustion exhaust 23, thereby improving the hot water recovery efficiency. Since it becomes possible to improve, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency as a cogeneration system of the PEFC power generator to which the hot water recovery device 38 is attached.

  On the other hand, when the PEFC power generator is activated, the warm-up operation of the PEFC power generator is performed while the operation of the hot water circulation pump of the hot water recovery device 38 is stopped. As described above, when the warming-up operation is performed while the circulation of the hot water 39 to the combustion exhaust heat exchanger 55 is stopped, the combustion exhaust 23, which is about 38 ° C. at the time of the warming-up operation, is converted into the combustion exhaust. Heat exchange with the hot water 39 in the heat exchanger 55 is almost led to the exhaust duct, and the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Therefore, even if the drain 46 is frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 during the operation stop period of the PEFC power generation device, it is efficiently melted during the warm-up operation period of the PEFC power generation device. Thus, the blockage of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released.

  FIGS. 8 (a) and (b) show still another embodiment of the present invention. In the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and (b) and FIGS. Instead of using the heat held by the general exhaust 28 as a heat source for heating and maintaining the tube 48, it is discharged from the cathode 2 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1, which is one of the waste heat of the PEFC power generator. The heat held by the cathode exhaust 25 to be used can be utilized, and has the following configuration.

  That is, in the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the exhaust duct 51 is replaced with the cathode exhaust instead of the general exhaust line 29 at the end inside the casing 47. The downstream end portion of the line 26 is connected.

  In this case, the combustion exhaust 23 is not discharged as the comprehensive exhaust 28 mixed with the cathode exhaust 25, but is discharged outside by the combustion exhaust 23 alone. For this purpose, the combustion exhaust line 24 is appropriately disposed so as to reach a required position on the upper portion of the casing 47, for example, so that the combustion exhaust 23 is discharged from the required upper position on the casing 47 to the outside. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cathode exhaust 25 is lower in temperature than the general exhaust 28 in both the power generation operation and the warming-up operation, but is 25 ° C. to 60 ° C. in the power generation operation. Since it has a temperature of about 0 ° C., the tip of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be heated and kept at a temperature of about 25 ° C. or more, thereby preventing the possibility of freezing and clogging. On the other hand, since the cathode exhaust 25 has a temperature of about 20 ° C. even during the warming operation, the cathode exhaust 25 is frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 during the warming operation period, as is apparent from the results of the examples described later. The drain 46 that is present can be melted, and the blockage of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released.

  Further, FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) show still another embodiment of the present invention, which is provided as a heat source for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48 in order to realize a cogeneration system for the PEFC power generator. The warm water recovery device 38 is configured to use the heat held by the hot water 39 generated by the recovery of the waste heat of the power generation device and stored in the hot water tank 42, and has the following configuration. .

  That is, in the configuration similar to that of the PEFC power generation apparatus provided with the hot water recovery apparatus 38 shown in FIG. 10 (B), the implementation shown in FIGS. 1 (B) and 2 (B) and (B) is performed. Similarly to the embodiment, a drain discharge pipe 48 with a shut-off valve 50 for guiding the drain 46 from a required drain generation source 49 and discharging it to the outside of the casing 47 is provided at a lower required position of the casing 47, and the drain A hot water jacket 56 as a heat exchanger is provided on the outer periphery of the discharge pipe 48 at a position downstream of the shutoff valve 50 and inside the housing 47. The hot water jacket 56 is routed through any part of the hot water recovery line 43 in the hot water recovery apparatus 38, for example, the hot water recovery line 43 located between the hot water tank 42 and the cathode exhaust heat exchanger 40. So that the hot water jacket 56 becomes a first-stage heat exchanger connected to the outlet side of the hot water tank 42.

  In addition, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 10B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When using the freeze blockage prevention and freeze blockage release device of the drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device of the present embodiment having the above configuration, first, during the power generation operation (normal operation) of the PEFC power generation device, When the hot water circulation pump of the hot water recovery device 38 is in an operating state, the hot water storage tank 42 and the heat exchange for cathode exhaust are exchanged via the hot water recovery line 43 in the hot water recovery device 38, as shown in FIG. The heat is exchanged with the battery cooling water 33 which becomes the warm drainage after being supplied to the cathode exhaust 25 and the cooling of the battery temperature of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 while circulating through the battery 40 and the battery cooling water heat exchanger 41. Hot water 39 heated to a required temperature is introduced into a warm water jacket 56 installed in the drain discharge pipe 48 in the middle of the circulation, so that the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated and maintained. It can be. At this time, since the specific heat (heat capacity) of the hot water 39 is significantly larger than that of the gas such as the combustion exhaust 23, the cathode exhaust 25, and the general exhaust 28, the drain discharge pipe located outside the housing 47 is used. Up to the tip of 48 can be heated and kept warm by heat conduction, so that the possibility of freezing and clogging in the drain discharge pipe 48 can be prevented.

  On the other hand, when the PEFC power generator is started, the hot water recovery apparatus 38 is in a state where hot water 39 heated to a required temperature is stored in the hot water storage tank 42 by recovering waste heat during the power generation operation of the previous PEFC power generator. When the hot water circulation pump is operated, the hot water 39 having the required temperature stored in the hot water storage tank 42 is supplied to the hot water jacket 56 attached to the drain discharge pipe 48, so that the drain discharge pipe 48 is heated. 39 can be directly heated by the heat possessed by 39, and in this case as well, the top of the drain discharge pipe 48 located outside the housing 47 is heated by heat conduction, and The drain 46 frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 can be thawed during the warm-up operation period to release the blockage.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B and the implementation shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), a hot water recovery device 38 for recovering waste heat from the PEFC power generator and generating hot water is attached as shown in FIG. 10 (b). A cogeneration system may be realized.

  The shape and the number of heat transfer fins provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drain discharge pipe 48 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) may be changed as appropriate as long as the gas flow in the exhaust duct 51 is not obstructed. Good. 6 (a), (b), FIG. 7 (a), (b), and FIG. 8 (b), (b), the drain discharge pipe 48 in each embodiment is shown in FIG. Heat transfer fins similar to those described above may be provided. Further, the exhaust ducts 51 and 53 in the respective embodiments of FIGS. 6 (a) and (b), FIGS. 7 (a) and (b), and FIGS. 8 (a) and (b) are similar to those shown in FIG. The exhaust pipe 48 may be provided to extend upstream from the shutoff valve 50.

  A hot water jacket 56 is shown as a heat exchanger for heating and keeping the drain discharge pipe 48 by the hot water 39 flowing through the hot water recovery line 43 of the hot water recovery apparatus 38 in the embodiment of FIGS. However, any type of heat exchanger may be used as long as the drain discharge pipe 48 can be heated and kept warm by the hot water 39. Of course, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the results obtained by analyzing the effectiveness of the present invention performed by the present inventors will be described.

  If the drain discharge pipe 48 is a cylindrical steel pipe having an outer diameter of 6 mm, an inner diameter of 4 mm, and a length of 50 mm, and the drain 46 is frozen over the entire area of the drain discharge pipe 48, the melting is about 1.4 kJ. The amount of heat is required.

以上のような温度及び流量条件となっている上記各排気２３，２８，２５を用いて上記ドレン排出管４８内の凍結しているドレンをすべて融解させるのに要する時間は、燃焼排気２３を用いた場合は約３０分、総合排気２８を用いた場合は４０分程度、カソード排気を用いた場合であっても５０分程度である。 On the other hand, when the PEFC power generator is started up (during warm-up operation), as shown in Table 1, the temperature of the combustion exhaust 23 is about 38 ° C., the temperature of the general exhaust 28 is about 25 ° C., and the cathode exhaust 25 The temperature is about 20 degrees. The flow rates of the exhausts 23, 28, and 25 are 600 L (Normal) / min, 150 L (Normal) / min, and 450 L (Normal) / min, respectively.

The time required to thaw all the frozen drain in the drain discharge pipe 48 using the exhaust 23, 28, 25 having the temperature and flow rate conditions as described above is determined using the combustion exhaust 23. It takes about 30 minutes when using the general exhaust, about 40 minutes when using the general exhaust 28, and about 50 minutes even when using the cathode exhaust.

  Therefore, even when the heat stored in the combustion exhaust 23, the general exhaust 28, and the cathode exhaust 25 is used as a heat source for heating the drain discharge pipe 48, it takes about 1 hour to start the PEFC power generator. It has been found that the drain 46 frozen in the drain discharge pipe 48 can be melted during the warming-up operation that requires this, and the blockage of the drain discharge pipe 48 can be released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe and a device in a solid polymer fuel cell power generator according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the PEFC power generator which shows the location of the exhaust duct which is a heat exchange part with an exhaust pipe. It is a figure which expands and shows the drain discharge pipe vicinity of the apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a cut side view, (B) is an II direction arrow view of (A). It is a figure which shows the temperature characteristic of combustion exhaust_gas | exhaustion, cathode exhaust_gas | exhaustion, and comprehensive exhaust_gas | exhaustion at the time of warming-up and a power generation driving | operation in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator. It is a general | schematic cutting side view which shows the modification of the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the drain discharge pipe vicinity in another modification of the apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a cut side view, (B) is a II-II direction arrow view of (A). 4A and 4B show another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic cut side view, and (b) is a block diagram of a PEFC power generation device showing the location of an exhaust duct that is a heat exchange part with a drain discharge pipe. . FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic cut side view, and (b) is a block diagram of a PEFC power generation apparatus showing the location of an exhaust duct that is a heat exchange section with a drain discharge pipe. is there. FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic cut side view, and (b) is a block diagram of a PEFC power generation apparatus showing the location of an exhaust duct that is a heat exchange section with a drain discharge pipe. is there. FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a schematic cut side view, and (B) is a block diagram of a PEFC power generator showing the location of a hot water jacket that is a heat exchanger with a drain discharge pipe. is there. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a conventional PEFC power generator, in which (a) shows a type without a hot water recovery device, and (b) shows a type with a hot water recovery device attached thereto.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell 5 Fuel processing apparatus 6 Reformer 23 Combustion exhaust 24 Combustion exhaust line 25 Cathode exhaust 26 Cathode exhaust line 28 General exhaust 29 General exhaust line 38 Hot water recovery apparatus 39 Hot water 42 Hot water storage tank 47 Case 48 Drain Drain pipe 49 Drain generation source 51 Exhaust duct 53 Exhaust duct 53a Inner cylinder 53b Outer cylinder 55 Heat exchanger for combustion exhaust (heat exchanger)
56 Hot water jacket (heat exchanger)

Claims (12)

  A portion of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator that protrudes outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion are heated and kept warm by waste heat of the power generator. A method for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator and for releasing the frozen clogging.   As a waste heat of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of a drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and a required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion, a reformer in the power generator 2. The method for preventing and releasing freeze clogging of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the heat of the combustion exhaust gas is used.   3. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 2, wherein the combustion exhaust after being subjected to heating and heat insulation of the drain discharge pipe is mixed with the cathode exhaust of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and then discharged to the outside. Method for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe in the apparatus.   The freezing and clogging of the drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 2, wherein the combustion exhaust used as waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator is heat exchanged with the hot water in the hot water recovery apparatus. Prevention and freezing blockage release method.   As the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping the portion of the drain discharge pipe protruding outside the casing and the required length region inside the casing from the protruding portion, the solid polymer fuel cell 2. The drain in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the heat held by the cathode exhaust or the comprehensive exhaust obtained by mixing the combustion exhaust of the reformer in the power generator and the cathode exhaust is used. Freezing blockage prevention and freezing blockage release method for the discharge pipe.   Solid polymer fuel cell power generation as waste heat of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator for heating and keeping a portion of the drain discharge pipe protruding outside the housing and a required length region inside the housing from the protruding portion 2. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the waste heat of the apparatus is recovered to generate hot water to be stored in a hot water tank and the heat stored in the hot water recovery apparatus is used. Method for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe in the apparatus.   A drain discharge pipe is provided at a required position of the casing of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation apparatus so as to protrude out of the casing for draining the drain generated from a required drain generation source in the power generation apparatus. A portion of the drain discharge pipe that protrudes outside the housing and an exhaust duct that accommodates a required length region inside the housing from the protruding portion are provided to penetrate the required position of the housing inward and outward, and further, Prevention of freezing clogging and release of freezing clogging in a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device characterized in that waste heat of the power generation device is introduced between an exhaust duct and a drain discharge pipe apparatus.   As waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator, combustion exhaust from the reformer of the power generator is connected, and a combustion exhaust line that leads the combustion exhaust is connected to the exhaust duct, and the combustion exhaust is discharged to the exhaust duct and drain. The apparatus for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is led between the pipes.   The exhaust duct has a double cylinder structure including an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder whose outer end side is longer than the inner cylinder, and a portion protruding outside the casing of the drain discharge pipe and the protruding portion inside the inner cylinder The required length area inside the housing is accommodated, a combustion exhaust line is connected to the inner cylinder, and a cathode exhaust line is connected to the outer cylinder so as to guide the cathode exhaust between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder The apparatus for preventing freezing clogging and releasing the frozen clogging of the drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 7.   On the upstream side of the connection position with the exhaust duct in the combustion exhaust line, the combustion exhaust flowing through the combustion exhaust line and the waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator are recovered by heat to generate hot water, and the hot water storage tank A heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the hot water in the hot water recovery device that is stored in the storage device is provided with prevention of freezing and clogging of the drain discharge pipe and freezing in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device according to claim 8. Blockage release device.   As waste heat of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator, the cathode exhaust of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is used, the cathode exhaust line that leads the cathode exhaust is connected to the exhaust duct, and the cathode exhaust is connected to the exhaust duct and the drain exhaust pipe. Or a comprehensive exhaust line for introducing the exhaust as a waste gas of the power generator, or a comprehensive exhaust gas obtained by mixing the combustion exhaust of the reformer of the power generator and the cathode exhaust. The drain discharge pipe in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator according to claim 7, wherein the exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust duct to guide the general exhaust between the exhaust duct and the drain discharge pipe. apparatus.   In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator, heat generated by the waste heat from the power generator is recovered near the tip of the drain discharge pipe for discharging the drain generated at the required drain source to the outside of the housing. A solid polymer having a configuration in which a heat exchanger is provided to heat and keep the drain discharge pipe by circulating hot water in a hot water recovery device that is stored in a hot water storage tank Device for preventing freezing and clogging of a drain discharge pipe in a fuel cell power generator.

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