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The Structure of the Household Cogeneration System

The specifications, structures, power generation efficiency of fuel cells described on this page are based on the specifications of our household fuel cell system developed as the first commercial model and different from those of the latest products.


In the following, we explain the structure of the fuel cells used in the world's first commercially produced Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System, released in February 2005 by Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd, based on the system currently on display at the Panasonic Center Tokyo.

Note: These fuel cells are currently on display at the Panasonic Center Tokyo. Please feel free to visit the demonstrations.

The Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System

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The Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System is comprised of a fuel cell unit and a hot water storage unit. The internal structure of the fuel cell unit has the same functions as a chemical plant, power station and transformer substation.

The fuel cell unit contains a fuel processing device which receives city gas from the gas supply and produces hydrogen from it. This device is comprised of the reforming part , and the CO degeneration part and CO purification part , which dispose of carbon monoxide generated during reforming.

Hydrogen supplied from the fuel processing device and oxygen from the air are sent to the generating stack , where electricity and heat are produced.
The electricity generated is converted to AC by an inverter, and the heat produced in the stack is used by a heat exchanger to heat the water in the hot water storage tank, so it can be used as hot water in the home.

The hot water storage unit does not consist of only the hot water storage tank . When hot water is running low, it is also possible to heat water as necessary using a backup heat source .

Details of Individual Functions

For a detailed explanation of the processing carried out by each part and their basic structures, please refer to the information below:

Fuel Processing Device (Production of Hydrogen)

Fuel Processing Device (Removal of Carbon Monoxide)

Power and Heat Generation in the Stack

Conversion to Energy that can be used in the Home



Our fuel cells are intended for household use in Japan only.
Note that the data and values on this website are based on the energy conditions in Japan.

Only the text is printed by the print style.