Heat recovery apparatus based on fuel cell and operating method thereof

Abstract

Provided are a heat recovery apparatus based on a fuel cell and an operating method thereof. In the fuel cell-based heat recovery apparatus and the operating method thereof, hot water and steam may be generated by using heat generated while a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) operates to supply the generated hot water or steam to buildings, thereby reducing a rate of operation in cooling/heating equipment using electricity so as to reduce air-conditioning costs.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a heat recovery apparatus which comprises a first switching unit introducing heat generated by a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) into a heat exchanger or blocking the introduction of the heat into the heat exchanger, a second switching unit discharging the heat through a discharge hole or blocking the discharge of heat through the discharge hole, a third switching unit introducing a fluid stored in a condensed tank into a fluid circulating unit or blocking the introduction of the fluid into the fluid circulating unit, a state sensing unit measuring a temperature of the heat generated by the MCFC, a flow rate within a tube through which the fluid passes, and a temperature and water level within the condensed tank, and a control unit controlling the first switching unit, the second switching unit, the third switching unit and the state sensing unit, the method comprising:
 maintaining a standby state;   performing an operating algorithm; and   performing a stopping algorithm;   wherein the maintaining of the standby state comprises:   opening all the first and second switching units;   closing the first switching unit after a first predetermined time elapses;   maintaining the fluid circulating unit in a stopped state, and   maintaining the third switching unit in a closed state.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the performing the operating algorithm comprises:
 opening the third switching unit in response to a conditions that a temperature within the condensed tank is below a first predetermined value, and a water level within the condensed tank is above a second predetermined value;   operating the fluid circulating unit when a second predetermined time elapses after the third switching unit is opened;   opening the first switching unit when a third predetermined time elapses after the fluid circulating unit operates; and   closing the second switching unit when a flow rate sensed by the state sensing unit satisfies a third predetermined value after the first switching unit is opened.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the opening of the first switching unit comprises:
 opening the first switching unit by a predetermined degree when the third predetermined time elapses after the fluid circulating unit operates; and   fully opening the first switching unit when a fourth predetermined time elapses after the first switching unit is opened by the predetermined degree.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the performing the stopping algorithm comprises:
 closing the first switching unit after the second switching unit is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied;   stopping an operation of the fluid circulating unit when a fifth predetermined time elapses after the first switching unit is closed; and   closing the third switching unit when a sixth predetermined time elapses after the operation of the fluid circulating unit is stopped.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined condition corresponds to a case in which an output of an MCFC is below a reference value, a temperature within a condensed tank is above a first predetermined temperature, a water level within the condensed tank is below a predetermined level, a temperature sensed by a second temperature sensor is below a second predetermined temperature, a temperature sensed by a third temperature sensor is above a third predetermined temperature, a flow rate sensed by a flow rate sensor is maintained for a predetermined time, or an stopping alarm operates. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the heat discharged by the second switching unit in response to the opening of the second switching unit is directly discharged to an outside of the heat recovery apparatus.