Solid-state oxide fuel cell

Abstract

Provided is a solid-state oxide fuel cell with which it is possible, by alleviating unevenness in temperature in a reformer, to extend the life of the reformer or to prevent damage to the reformer. The present invention provides a solid-state oxide fuel cell (1), comprising: a fuel cell module (2); a reformer (20) which generates hydrogen by a POX step, an ATR step, and an SR step; a fuel supply device (38); an oxidant gas for reforming supply device (44); a water supply device (28); an oxidant gas for power generation supply device (45); and a control device (110) which executes the POX step, the ATR step, and the SR step in sequence in the reformer, increasing same to a temperature whereat power generation is possible in a predetermined temperature range, in line with temperature increases within the fuel cell module. The control device further comprises a local temperature increase alleviation circuit (110a) which alleviates local site temperature increases in the reformer in the POX step by generating steam reformation at local sites within the reformer.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell, and more particularly to a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting fuel and an oxidant gas for power generation. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is configured such that, in the start-up process, a plurality of processes of reforming fuel in a reformer, namely, a partial oxidation reforming reaction process (POX process), an autothermal Reaction process (ATR process), steam reforming reaction process (SR process), and transfer to the power generation process (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). [0003] In the SOFC, by sequentially performing the above steps, the temperature of the reformer, the fuel cell stack, and the like arranged in the fuel cell module housing chamber can be raised to the operating temperature. That is, when the solid oxide fuel cell is started, the reformer is heated by burning the fuel, and when the t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In this way, in the POX process, once temperature unevenness occurs in the reformer, the portion with a higher temperature is further heated due to the heat generated by the partial oxidation reforming reaction, and therefore the temperature unevenness tends to be further enhanced.

If the above-mentioned state continues for a long time, there is a problem that the temperature of the reformer rises excessively locally, the service life of the reformer is shortened due to the deterioration of the reforming catalyst, or the reformer may be damaged.

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