Indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system

Abstract

An indirect inside reforming SOFC system that enables elimination of the use of hydrogen storage equipment for anode protection at start-up, etc. There is provided an indirect inside reforming solid oxide fuel cell comprising a first reformer for producing a reformate gas from a hydrocarbon fuel with the use of steam reforming reaction; a solid oxide fuel cell for power generation from the reformate gas obtained by the first reformer; and a container for housing both of the first reformer and the solid oxide fuel cell, wherein the first reformer is disposed at a position receiving heat radiation from the solid oxide fuel cell. Further, there is provided an indirect inside reforming solid oxide fuel cell system comprising the indirect inside reforming solid oxide fuel cell and further comprising a second reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel to thereby produce a reformate gas, disposed outside the container; and a line leading the reformate gas obtained by the second reformer from the second reformer to an anode of the solid oxide fuel cell.

1 . An indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising
 an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell including a first reformer for producing a reformed gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by using a steam reforming reaction, a solid oxide fuel cell for generating electric power by using the reformed gas obtained in the first reformer, and a container for containing the first reformer and the solid oxide fuel cell, the first reformer being disposed in a position to receive heat radiation from the solid oxide fuel cell;   a second reformer for producing a reformed gas by reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel, the second reformer being disposed outside the container; and   a line for leading the reformed gas obtained in the second reformer from the second reformer to an anode of the solid oxide fuel cell.   
   
   
       2 . The indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second reformer is equipped with a combustion means for combusting a combustible. 
   
   
       3 . The indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a line for leading the reformed gas, which has been led from the second reformer to the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell, from the anode to the combustion means.