Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, an annular third area around the second area and where a heat exchanger is provided, and an annular heat recovery area around the third area as a passage of oxygen-containing gas for recovery of heat radiated from the third area toward the outer circumference.

Abstract: A control device includes a combustion apparatus temperature comparison unit for comparing a temperature of a combustion apparatus and a combustion apparatus temperature range, a combustion apparatus flame-out determination unit for determining whether flame-out occurs in the combustion apparatus based on a comparison result by the combustion apparatus temperature comparison unit, and a combustion apparatus control unit for starting or stopping operation of a start-up combustor based on a determination result by the combustion apparatus frame-out determination unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. A plurality of heat exchange pipes are provided in the heat exchanger around a first partition plate. At least one of the heat exchange pipes has at least one constricted portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. The heat exchanger includes heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber and an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber. A first circumscribed non-uniform flow suppression plate is provided along a minimum circumscribed circle which contacts outer surfaces of the heat exchange pipes.

Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section. A back plate of the casing includes a cable outlet adjacent to a left side plate. A cable outlet panel of the cable outlet includes an attachment plate. A first outlet surface and a second outlet surface are formed integrally with the attachment plate, and surrounded by the attachment plate. The first outlet surface and the second outlet surface allow a power cable to be taken out of the casing, and have a V-shape in a plan view of the casing.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second surrounding support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first surrounding support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.

Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section by a first vertical partition plate and a second vertical partition plate. The first vertical partition plate extends from a front plate of the casing toward a back plate of the casing. The first vertical partition plate has a recess formed by bending a marginal end portion of the first vertical partition plate on the back plate side toward the module section at a predetermined angle. At least a raw fuel pipe of the fuel gas supply apparatus as a passage of a raw fuel is provided in the recess.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of a fuel cell module includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber at one end, and connected to an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber at the other end. An end of an oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe for guiding the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber is provided in the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber. A plurality of first inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe in an axial direction, and a plurality of second inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe radially. The total area of openings of the first inlet holes is smaller than the total area of openings of the second inlet holes.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided, and a condensed water collecting mechanism for collecting condensed water produced by condensation of water vapor in a combustion gas by allowing the condensed water to flow through the fourth area, then, the third area, then, the second area, and then, the first area.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided. The fuel cell module includes a first partition plate having first combustion gas holes, a second partition plate having second combustion gas holes, and a third partition plate having third combustion gas holes.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided. In the first area, the exhaust gas combustor and the start-up combustor are provided coaxially in the same space.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided. A stress absorber for absorbing heat stress is provided in at least one of the first area, the second area, the third area, and the fourth area.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first separator and a second separator. The first separator includes a first sandwiching section for sandwiching an electrolyte electrode assembly, a fuel gas supply section, and a first bridge section. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the fuel gas supply section in the stacking direction. The second separator includes a second sandwiching section for sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly, an oxygen-containing gas supply section, and a second bridge section. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage extends through the oxygen-containing gas supply section. A first displacement absorbing mechanism, a second displacement absorbing mechanism, a third displacement absorbing mechanism and a fourth displacement absorbing mechanism are provided in the fuel gas supply section, the oxygen-containing gas supply section, the first sandwiching section and the second sandwiching section for absorbing displacement generated in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first separator including a sandwiching section for sandwiching an electrolyte electrode assembly, a fuel gas supply section, and a first load absorbing mechanism for absorbing a load applied in a stacking direction. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the fuel gas supply section in the stacking direction, and the first load absorbing mechanism is provided in the fuel gas supply section. The first load absorbing mechanism includes coupling members and seal members. The coupling members couple fuel gas supply sections of a pair of the first separators together, and have spring property for absorbing the load in the stacking direction. The seal members prevent leakage of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply section.

Abstract: In a fuel cell, an electrolyte electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of separators, which include a sandwiching section having a fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to an anode and a fuel gas inlet for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, a bridge having a fuel gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, and a fuel gas supply section having a fuel gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel. During operation of the fuel cell, a pressure loss P1 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas inlet, a pressure loss P2 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply channel, and a pressure loss P3 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply passage have the relationships of P1>P2 and P1>P3.

Abstract: A fuel cell system provided with a fuel cell module, a water supply device for supplying water to the fuel cell module, a water container for supplying water to the water supply device, and a condenser for condensing water vapor in the exhaust gas which is discharged from the fuel cell module and supplying the condensed water to the water container. The water container contains therein an ion exchange device for removing impurities which are contained in the water supplied from the condenser. The water supply device is provided below and downstream of the water container. A pressure regulating device for absorbing a pulsation of the water supply device and absorbing the variation in the pressure in the fuel cell module is provided between the water supply device and the fuel cell module.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module, a water supply apparatus for supplying water to the fuel cell module, a water container for supplying the water to the water supply apparatus, a condenser for condensing water vapor in an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module and supplying the condensed water to the water container. The water container has a supply port for supplying the water from the condenser to the water container, and a discharge port for sending the water to the water supply apparatus, and a water channel having a serpentine pattern as a passage of the water from the supply port to the discharge port. An ion exchanger section is provided in the water channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system provided with a fuel cell module, a water supply device for supplying water to the fuel cell module, a water container for supplying water to the water supply device, and a condenser for condensing water vapor in the exhaust gas which is discharged from the fuel cell module and supplying the condensed water to the water container. The water container contains therein an ion exchange device for removing impurities which are contained in the water supplied from the condenser. The water supply device is provided below and downstream of the water container. A pressure regulating device for absorbing a pulsation of the water supply device and absorbing the variation in the pressure in the fuel cell module is provided between the water supply device and the fuel cell module.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second surrounding support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first surrounding support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.