Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes: a reformer (1) including a reforming catalyst (1A) containing nickel and configured to generate a hydrogen-rich fuel gas by using a raw material and steam; a temperature detector (12) configured to detect a temperature of the reforming catalyst (1A); a purge gas supplying device (7) configured to supply a purge gas to the reformer (1); and a controller (13). When the temperature detected by the temperature detector (12) is a first predetermined temperature or higher, the controller (13) purges the reformer (1) with the purge gas supplied from the purge gas supplying device (7).

Abstract: A hydrogen generation device or a fuel cell system of the present invention can prevent deterioration or breakage of portions of the hydrogen generation device, which is caused by thermal stress attributable to repeated operation and halt. Thus, it is possible to increase the life and enhance the stability of the device and the system. A hydrogen generation device 76 of a fuel cell system 100 includes a hydrogen generation device main body 78 including a combustor 4 provided therein for combusting a predetermined medium capable of generating hydrogen and a plurality of pipes which are connected to the hydrogen generation device main body 78 for allowing the predetermined medium flow into or out of the hydrogen generation device main body 78. A temperature gradient is formed in the hydrogen generation device main body 78 by operation of the combustor 4, whereby a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion are formed in the hydrogen generation device main body 78.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power by a reaction between fuel and an oxidizing agent; a cooling passage (3) through which a first heat medium for cooling down the fuel cell (1) flows; a heat exchanger (5) disposed on the cooling passage (3); and an exhaust heat recovery passage (7) through which a second heat medium which exchanges heat with the first heat medium by the heat exchanger (5) flows, wherein a deceleration portion (7c) configured to reduce a flow velocity of the second heat medium and a bubble release portion (7d) configured to discharge bubbles in the deceleration portion (7c) to an outside of the exhaust heat recovery passage (7) are disposed on the exhaust heat recovery passage (7).

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power using a fuel gas, a fuel gas generator (2) configured to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen using a raw material, a combustion burner (2a) configured to heat the fuel gas generator, a combustion fan (2b) configured to supply air to a combustion burner (2a), and a controller (101). The raw material is filled inside the fuel cell (1) before the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell. The controller (101) controls on-off valves (8, 9) to cause the fuel gas to branch to flow to a second path (R2) and to a fourth path (R4) when the fuel gas generated in the fuel gas generator (2) starts to be supplied to the fuel cell (1).

Abstract: A cogeneration system of the present invention includes: an electric power generator (5); a cooling circuit (10) configured to cool the electric power generator (5) with a first heat transfer medium; a heat exchanger (16) provided on the cooling circuit (10); an exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) through which a second heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium via the heat exchanger (16) flows; a heat storage unit (20) connected to the exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) and configured to store the second heat transfer medium that has undergone a heat exchange by the heat exchanger (16); and a controller (21), wherein a first temperature sensor (17), and a heater to which electric power is supplied from the electric power generator (5), are connected, in this order, downstream of the heat exchanger (16) in a direction in which the second heat transfer medium flows, and the controller (21) controls a flow rate of a circulating pump (13) so that, based on a temperature detected

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (101); a gas passage through which an electric power generating gas used for electric power generation in the fuel cell (101) flows; a cooling water passage through which cooling water for cooling down the fuel cell (101) flows; a cooling water tank (106) disposed on the cooling water passage to store the cooling water; a humidifier having a moisture permeable membrane (61) and configured to carry out moisture exchange between the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage and the electric power generating gas flowing through the gas passage via the moisture permeable membrane (61); and a pressure compensating gas supplier (110) configured to supply a pressure compensating gas to a specific section including the humidifier on the gas passage when a pressure in the gas passage lowers, and a water surface of the cooling water tank (106) is higher than an upper end of the moisture permeable membrane (61) of the humidifier.

Abstract: A cogeneration system of the present invention includes: an electric power generator (5); a cooling circuit (10) configured to cool the electric power generator (5) with a first heat transfer medium; a heat exchanger (16) provided on the cooling circuit (10); an exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) through which a second heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium via the heat exchanger (16) flows; a heat storage unit (20) connected to the exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) and configured to store the second heat transfer medium that has undergone a heat exchange by the heat exchanger (16); and a controller (21), wherein a first temperature sensor (17), and a heater to which electric power is supplied from the electric power generator (5), are connected, in this order, downstream of the heat exchanger (16) in a direction in which the second heat transfer medium flows, and the controller (21) controls a flow rate of a circulating pump (13) so that, based on a temperature detected

Abstract: A fuel cell system and an operation method thereof are provided, which are capable of properly executing special shutdown of the fuel cell system in the event of a trouble in purge operation by use of material gas. In the fuel cell system (100), if an abnormality occurs in a purge process by use of material gas during shutdown of the fuel cell system (100), the controller (11) brings, according to the contents of the abnormality, the opening/closing state of fuel electrode opening/closing devices (26, 23, 24) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of a fuel electrode (13a), oxidant electrode opening/closing devices (25, 28, 20, 27) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of an oxidant electrode (13c) or hydrogen generator opening/closing devices (21, 23, 22) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of a hydrogen generator (12) into a state that is different from their opening/closing state when the purge process by use of the material gas is performed.