JP2002372199A - Hydrogen supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen supply system using computers unnecessary to stop a reforming unit even if the hydrogen consumption is lowered to-prevent the lowering of efficiency and capable of minimizing a danger in the hydrogen transportation and unnecessary to bring a heavy container for storage. SOLUTION: This hydrogen supply system has a pipeline network 10 laid in the predetermined area Az, and this pipeline network 10 is communicated with a hydrogen manufacturing means 22z, a hydrogen storage means 24z and hydrogen using equipment 2z, 3z, etc., for consuming hydrogen, and provided with a control means 28z for controlling the hydrogen manufacturing means 22z, the hydrogen storage means 24z and the hydrogen using equipment 2z, 3z, etc. The control means 28z controls the hydrogen quantity to be manufactured by the hydrogen manufacturing means 22z with a computer on the basis of any one of parameters of the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen using equipment 2z, 3z, etc., hydrogen storage quantity of the hydrogen storage means 24z and hydrogen feeding quantity of the hydrogen storage means 24z.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen supply system using a computer for supplying hydrogen to devices that use or consume hydrogen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fuel cells and hydrogen vehicles are examples of the use and consumption of non-polluting fuel-energy hydrogen. Devices that use or consume such hydrogen (hereinafter referred to as "hydrogen-using devices"). Conventionally, the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen-using equipment is performed by providing a reformer for reforming fossil fuels such as city gas and natural gas at a ratio of 1: 1 with respect to the hydrogen-using equipment, Or transport it in a cylinder, or
There is a method of transporting each of the hydrogen-using devices using a hydrogen-absorbing material.

[0003] However, the amount of hydrogen generated by the reformer is determined depending on the amount of hydrogen used by a hydrogen-using device such as a fuel cell. Therefore, if the amount of hydrogen used is reduced and the amount of hydrogen produced in the reformer is reduced, there is a problem that the equipment operation rate of the reformer deteriorates. Further, there is a problem that the efficiency of the reformer deteriorates as the amount of generated hydrogen decreases.

[0004] In addition, hydrogen is generally filled with liquid hydrogen because it has a lower energy density compared to hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel or natural gas such as gaseous fuel, and the amount of energy is not sufficient unless filled at high pressure. It is. However, the transportation of liquefied hydrogen has a very low temperature of -253 ° C., so that the energy for liquefaction is large and the cost is increased.

[0005] In the transportation using a cylinder, the transportation efficiency is deteriorated because the volume of hydrogen in the cylinder is large. In addition, when filling the cylinder by increasing the pressure of hydrogen (200 atm or more), attention must be paid to the maintenance of the container, and there is a risk that handling the container may be dangerous.

Other hydrogen transport technologies include, for example,
There is also transportation by hydrogen storage alloy. However, practical application at this stage is difficult in terms of energy density with respect to weight.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and it is not necessary to stop the reformer even if the hydrogen consumption is reduced, and the efficiency is reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-based hydrogen supply system that can minimize the danger of hydrogen transport and eliminate the need to carry a heavy storage device.

[0008]

A hydrogen supply system using a computer according to the present invention has a piping network (10) laid in a predetermined area (Az), and the piping network (10) has a hydrogen production means. (22z), hydrogen storage means (24z), and a hydrogen-using device (2
, 32z), and control means for controlling the hydrogen production means (22z), the hydrogen storage means (24z), and the hydrogen-using equipment (2z, 3z, ..., 32z). (28z), and the control means (28z) includes a hydrogen consumption device (2z, 3z,..., 32z),
Any one physical quantity or a plurality of physical quantities of the hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage means (24z) and the hydrogen delivery amount of the hydrogen storage means (24z) (any one of the above hydrogen consumption, hydrogen storage quantity, and hydrogen delivery quantity) Hydrogen production means (22z) based on the type, any two or three types of physical quantities or parameters)
(Claim 1).

Of course, the control means (28z) includes the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen-using equipment (2z, 3z,..., 32z), the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage means (24z), and the hydrogen storage means (2z).
4z) any two parameters of the hydrogen delivery amount, or
It may be configured to control the amount of hydrogen production in the hydrogen production means (22z) based on all parameters.

A hydrogen supply system using a computer according to the present invention has a piping network (10A) installed in an apartment house (Ah) such as an apartment or an apartment, and the piping network (10A) has a hydrogen production system. Means (22), hydrogen storage means (24), apartment house (A
h), each of which is provided in each door and communicates with a hydrogen-using device (2, 2A, 2B,...) that consumes hydrogen, and the hydrogen producing means (22), the hydrogen storing means (24), and the hydrogen Control means (2, 2A, 2B,...)
8), and the control means (28) includes a hydrogen consumption amount of the hydrogen-using equipment (2, 2A, 2B,...), A hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage means (24), and a hydrogen delivery of the hydrogen storage means (24z). The hydrogen production amount in the hydrogen production means (22) is controlled based on any of the amounts (one parameter) (claim 2).

Of course, the control means (28) controls the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen-using equipment (2, 2A, 2B,...), The hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage means (24), and the hydrogen delivery of the hydrogen storage means (24z). The hydrogen production amount in the hydrogen production means (22) may be controlled based on any two parameters of the amount or based on all parameters.

In this specification, the term "computer" is used to mean not only a so-called personal computer and a network server but also a general-purpose device or unit having a calculation function, including a sequencer, a custom IC, and the like. ing.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, if there is excess hydrogen, it can be used by other hydrogen-using equipment via the network (10, 10A) (for a fee: free of charge). If the hydrogen production amount of the hydrogen production means (22z) is not enough, it is possible to procure hydrogen from the hydrogen storage means (24z) in the network (10). If various hydrogen-using equipment (2z, 3z,..., 32z) or a facility consuming hydrogen is a unit that communicates with the network (10) of the hydrogen supply pipe, it is not necessary to assume the peak of the hydrogen usage. I'm done. In other words, it is not necessary to build an unnecessarily large system.

[0014] Further, it is advantageous to increase the scale of the net because the consumption can be further uniformed. Another hydrogen storage means (hydrogen storage means 2) is provided in the network (10).
4z, a hydrogen storage means having the same function as 4z)
Since the storage device plays the role of a buffer against fluctuations in consumption, the consumption can be further equalized.

According to the present invention, the hydrogen storage means (2
As 4z), a hydrogen storage alloy can be used. The reason is that in the present invention, since the storage means (24z) communicating with the hydrogen piping network (10) does not move, the weight point does not become negative if the necessary hydrogen storage capacity is provided.

Here, when a reformer for reforming fossil fuel is used as the hydrogen production means (22z), it is preferable that the reformer is not stopped as much as possible for the purpose of reducing the efficiency. According to the present invention, since the hydrogen use situation can be grasped by the control network, it is possible to predict the wave of use and adjust the hydrogen production amount. That is, the advantage of centralized management using hydrogen consumption information is effective. As a result, optimal efficiency operation of the reformer becomes possible. In other words,
According to the present invention, with respect to hydrogen and its consumption, a local area network (LAN) can be constructed to utilize hydrogen with maximum efficiency.

Further, as a merit of the network using hydrogen, there is no emission of substances (NOx, SOx, fine particles) which may pollute the environment at the end of use, and there is no air pollution, and the environment can be preserved.

Compared with the conventional network for electricity, storage and buffering of hydrogen as a distribution medium (hydrogen in the present invention, electricity in an existing electric network) is performed very efficiently and effectively.

Here, the hydrogen-using equipment preferably includes a fuel cell (claim 3).

Further, the hydrogen-using equipment includes a moving means (for example, a hydrogen vehicle) driven by using hydrogen as fuel, and a hydrogen filling means (for example, a fixed or movable hydrogen vehicle) for supplying hydrogen to the moving means. (A hydrogen filling device). Here, many hydrogen vehicles use a fuel cell. However, there is also an internal combustion engine type that directly burns hydrogen as fuel.

In practicing the present invention, a hydrogen production apparatus (2
2z) may be plural in the network (10). The hydrogen production device (22z) may be, for example, a reformer that produces hydrogen using city gas, liquefied propane gas, naphtha, or the like as a raw material, or may use an electrolysis system using various power sources. . There is no particular limitation as long as the required amount of hydrogen can be supplied safely.

The hydrogen supply target in the network (10) can be applied to a fuel cell or a factory equipped with an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hydrogen supply system using a computer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 showing the first embodiment,
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network of the hydrogen supply system, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information exchange relating to hydrogen production and storage management in the network configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 1, a piping network 10 for supplying hydrogen covering a predetermined area Az is laid. In the piping network 10, a hydrogen production device 22z of hydrogen production means via a branch pipe 22a is connected to a branch pipe 2
The hydrogen storage devices 24z of the hydrogen storage means via 4a are respectively connected.

Further, the piping network 10 includes a combined plant 36z of a pure hydrogen production and hydrogen consuming apparatus through a branch pipe 36a, and a hydrogen filling apparatus 26 through a branch pipe 26a.
z are communicated with each other.

Further, the piping network 10 includes two hydrogen consuming devices via the branch pipes 2a, 3a,.
, 3z,... Nz.

Each device 2 communicating with the piping network 10
2z, 24z, 36z, 26z, 2z, 3z Nz
In addition, the control device 28z communicates with the communication lines 22b, 24b, 36b,
26b and 26a.

The hydrogen production apparatus 22z includes a reformer for reforming hydrocarbon fuel such as city gas and extracting hydrogen, and a water electrolysis hydrogen production apparatus using electric power such as solar power generation. Provision is made to supply product hydrogen to the network 10.

The hydrogen storage device 24z stores the amount of hydrogen corresponding to the consumption of the hydrogen-using devices 2z, 3z,... Nz and the hydrogen filling device 26z communicating with the piping network 10 by a compressed hydrogen storage system, a hydrogen storage alloy or the like. Having the function of storing by hydrogen liquefaction storage system,
It is provided to supply to the piping network 10 in accordance with an instruction of the control device 28z.

The network 10 may include a plurality of hydrogen production apparatuses 22z and hydrogen storage apparatuses 24z.

The combined plant 36z for hydrogen production and hydrogen consumption includes a high-purity hydrogen production device 36a, a high-purity hydrogen storage device 36b for storing high-purity hydrogen, a hydrogen-using device 36c using high-purity hydrogen, and a high-purity hydrogen device 36c. And a high-purity hydrogen filling device 36d for filling high-purity hydrogen into a cylinder or the like.

This plant 36z is provided so as to produce high-purity hydrogen gas, use one part in the internal hydrogen-using device 36c, and supply the other to the outside of the network 10. If the hydrogen production and storage capacity in the plant 36z exceeds the internal consumption and the external supply, the hydrogen is sent to the network 10 so that the other hydrogen-using equipment in the network 10 can use the surplus hydrogen. Let me know. On the other hand, if hydrogen is insufficient for the demand in the plant 36z, a required amount of hydrogen is supplied from another hydrogen production facility or hydrogen storage facility in the network 10.

In the drawing, the hydrogen filling device 26z includes:
It is installed so as to fill the hydrogen container for fuel of the hydrogen vehicle 32z as a moving means with hydrogen, but it is used for filling hydrogen in vehicles equipped with fuel cells, heating hydrogen for crafts, welding, etc. It is also provided to be used for portable hydrogen storage and the like.

The hydrogen-using equipment 2z, 3z,...
In the drawing, a fuel cell is installed in a door-to-door home, and hydrogen is used regularly for power generation. The fuel cell may be any of a solid polymer type, an alkaline type, a phosphoric acid type, a molten carbonate type, a solid oxide type and the like. Further, a hydrogen engine or a hydrogen gas turbine which consumes hydrogen as fuel in an internal combustion engine may be used.

The control device 28z is connected to the piping network 10
Hydrogen-using equipment 2z, 3z,.
Information on the amount consumed by the hydrogen filling device 26z and the plant 36z and the supply amount by the hydrogen production device 22z and the hydrogen storage device 24z is constantly collected so that the equipment using hydrogen does not run out of hydrogen. Is configured to have a function of performing real-time control so as to operate constantly and efficiently. The control device 28z includes the hydrogen production device 22
z, may be built in the hydrogen storage device 24z, may be built in other appropriate devices, or may be separately installed.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a point of information communication for performing operation management of the hydrogen supply system according to the first embodiment having the above configuration. Referring also to FIG. 1, the communication lines 2a, 2b show the hydrogen consumption status from the hydrogen consuming devices 2z, 3z,.
is transmitted to the control device 28z via b or the like.

The state of the hydrogen production amount is transmitted from the hydrogen production device 22z to the control device 28z via the communication line 22b.

From the hydrogen storage device 24z, the state of the hydrogen storage amount and the hydrogen release amount is transmitted to the control device 2 via the communication line 24b.
8z.

From the hydrogen vehicle 32z, a hydrogen communication device 26z (not shown in FIG. 2) and a wireless communication line 26a are connected.
Is transmitted to the control device 28z via the. The hydrogen filling device 26 transmits information related to hydrogen demand, including supply to cylinders other than the hydrogen vehicle 32z, to the control device 28.
Send to z.

The control device 28z receives the above hydrogen consumption information,
The demand information, the production information, and the storage information are compared with the conventional performance table, and in particular, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device 24z is released and the production command to the hydrogen production device 22z is issued to the extent that no problem occurs in the hydrogen supply. Out and the hydrogen production device 22
The operation of z is leveled and efficient operation is performed.

The composite plant 36z of FIG. 1 plays a complementary role in the above control, and operates so that the supply of hydrogen in the network 10 is not insufficient except for power generation and supply of hydrogen to the outside, in particular. .

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing a network of the hydrogen supply system installed in the apartment house Ah, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the network configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 3, an apartment house Ah is provided with a piping network 10A for supplying hydrogen that covers all the units. A hydrogen production device 22 as a hydrogen production device, a hydrogen storage device 24 as a hydrogen storage device, and a hydrogen filling device 26 are respectively connected to the piping network 10A.

The piping network 10A includes a main pipe 7 that connects the hydrogen production apparatus 22, the hydrogen storage apparatus 24, and the hydrogen filling apparatus 26 with respective branch pipes 7b, 8, 7a.
A branch pipe 3 branching from the main pipe 7 at a branch point 3a, a branch pipe 4 branching at a branch point 4a, and a branch pipe 5 branching at a branch point 5a.

The branch pipes 3 are branched into drawn pipes 2p1, 2p2,... Drawn into the doors Ah1, Ah2,... Have been. Branch pipe 4
Similarly, with respect to the fuel cells of the respective houses, the lead pipes are connected to the fuel cells of the respective houses. The fuel cell may be any of a solid polymer type, an alkaline type, a phosphoric acid type, a molten carbonate type, a solid oxide type and the like.

The fuel cell of each house, for example, the fuel cell 2 is connected to the control device 22 by the communication line 11 via the communication lines 14 and 15. Similarly, the fuel cell 2A
The communication line 12 communicates with the control device 22 via the communication lines 14 and 15. As described above, all the fuel cells of all the units are connected to the control device 28 by the communication line.

The hydrogen production apparatus 22 includes a reformer for reforming hydrocarbon fuel such as city gas to extract hydrogen, and a water electrolysis hydrogen production apparatus using electric power such as solar power generation. It is provided to supply the hydrogen to the network 10A. The hydrogen production device 22 is connected to a control device 28 by a communication line 23.

The hydrogen storage device 24 is connected to the piping network 1
A hydrogen amount that responds to the consumption of the fuel cells 2, 2A, 2B,... And the hydrogen filling device 26 in conjunction with the hydrogen production device 22 in a compressed hydrogen storage system, a storage system using a hydrogen storage alloy, etc. It has a function of storing by a system or the like, and is provided to supply to the piping network 10 according to an instruction of the control device 28. The hydrogen storage device 24 is connected to a control device 28 by a communication line 25.

A plurality of hydrogen production devices 22 and hydrogen storage devices 24 may be connected to the network 10.

The hydrogen filling device 26 is installed so as to fill a plurality of personal hydrogen vehicles 32 with hydrogen through the injection pipe 26. Further, it is provided so as to be used for filling a fuel cell equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell, a fuel cylinder having low combustion heat used for heating, welding, etc. of crafts, rubber, a cylinder for injecting a cloth balloon, and the like. The hydrogen filling device 26 is connected to a control device 28 by a communication line 27. In addition, a communication line 33 is provided in the control device 28 from the hydrogen vehicle 32 or the like, where communication can be performed as needed.

The control device 28 is connected to the piping network 10A.
Always collects information on the amount of fuel consumed by the fuel cells 2, 2A, 2B,..., The hydrogen filling device 26, and the supply amounts of the hydrogen production device 22 and the hydrogen storage device 24. In order not to run out of hydrogen, the hydrogen production equipment 22
Is configured to have a function of performing real-time control so as to operate constantly and efficiently.

The control device 28 is communicated with the storage device 30 by a signal line 31, and each of the hydrogen-using devices in the storage device 30 and the entire hydrogen consumption history data, the hydrogen production device 22, the hydrogen storage device 24, Basic data such as functions and capacity of the hydrogen filling device 26 and the like can be accessed at any time.

The control device 28 may be installed in the hydrogen production device 22, may be installed in the hydrogen storage device 24, may be installed in another appropriate device, or may be installed separately. Is also good.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation for managing the operation of the hydrogen supply system according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration. In step S1, the hydrogen consumption of each house Ah1, Ah2,... Of the apartment house Ah and the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen filling device 26 are input to the control device 28.

In step S 2, the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen producing device 22 and the amount of hydrogen stored by the hydrogen storage device 24 are inputted to the control device 28.

In step S3, a comparison is made between the hydrogen consumption input in step S1 and the hydrogen supply capacity input in step S2 while considering past data on the hydrogen consumption and the hydrogen supply capacity in the storage device 30. Consider.

In step S4, it is confirmed whether or not the hydrogen supply capacity can cover the hydrogen consumption. If YES, go to step S5, and if NO, go to step S7.

In step S5, it is examined whether it is necessary to change the production amount of the hydrogen production device 22 and the storage amount of the hydrogen storage device 24. If it is necessary to change the hydrogen production and storage amount, go to step S6. If no change is needed, go to step S10.

In step S6, the production of hydrogen is increased or reduced. At the same time, the stored hydrogen is released. Further, the amount of released stored hydrogen is increased or decreased. By these optimizations, the hydrogen consumption and the supply amount are balanced, and the operation rates of the hydrogen production device 22 and the hydrogen storage device 24 are optimized. Then, the procedure goes to step S10.

On the other hand, in step S7 when the hydrogen consumption cannot be covered by the supply amount, the production amount of the hydrogen production device 22 is increased. Then, the procedure goes to step S8.

In step S8, it is checked whether it is necessary to change the amount of hydrogen released and stored in the hydrogen storage device 24. If NO, go to step S10, and if YES, go to step S9.

In step S9, control is performed so that the amount of hydrogen released and stored in the hydrogen storage device 24 is changed according to the result of step S8. And stabilize consumption and supply,
In addition, the operation rates of the hydrogen production device 22 and the hydrogen storage device 24 are optimized.

In step S10, it is checked whether or not the hydrogen consumption and the supply in each of the above steps are balanced and the control is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S1, and if completed, the control is closed.

The illustrated embodiment is merely an example,
It is noted that the description is not to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0065]

The effects of the present invention are listed below. (1) Since the supply and consumption (use) of hydrogen is performed through a piping network installed in a predetermined area or an apartment house, it is possible to control and stabilize the balance between hydrogen production, storage and consumption. I can do it. (2) Hydrogen is supplied stably, and the operating conditions of the hydrogen production means (for example, a reformer) do not fluctuate extremely. For this reason, the efficiency is rarely reduced due to the extremely low-load operation or stop of the reformer. (3) If the scale of the piping network is increased and a hydrogen local network (LAN) relating to the hydrogen supply system is constructed in a predetermined area, the hydrogen consumption and the hydrogen production can be further leveled with accurate information. The operation of the hydrogen production means can be stabilized. (4) By employing the stationary type hydrogen production means, storage means, hydrogen filling device, and the above-mentioned network, it is possible to avoid dangerous transportation of hydrogen and to save the cost of moving a heavy storage container. . (5) Contribute to environmental conservation by using clean energy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network of a hydrogen supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information communication relating to hydrogen production and storage management in the network configuration of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a network of a hydrogen supply system in an apartment house according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network shown in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

Ah ··· Apartment house Az · · · Predetermined area 2a, 3a, Na · · Branch pipe 2b, 3b, Nb · · Communication line 2z, 3z · · · Hydrogen using equipment 10 · · Piping network 22z · · Hydrogen production device 22a 24a, 26a, 36a · · · Branch pipe 24z · · · hydrogen storage device 26z · · · hydrogen filling device 28z · · · control device 32z · · · hydrogen car 36z · · · complex plant of pure hydrogen production and equipment using pure hydrogen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Horinouchi 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E073 BB00 3J071 AA02 BB11 DD28 EE01 EE18 FF16 4G040 AA11 AB01 5H027 AA02 BA01 BA13 BA14 KK21 MM01

Claims (4)

[Claims] The present invention has a piping network laid in a predetermined area, and the piping network communicates with a hydrogen production means, a hydrogen storage means, and a hydrogen-consuming device consuming hydrogen. And control means for controlling the hydrogen storage means and the hydrogen using equipment, the control means comprising any one of the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen using equipment, the hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage means, and the hydrogen delivery amount of the hydrogen storage means. A hydrogen supply system using a computer, characterized in that the hydrogen production amount in the hydrogen production means is controlled based on a physical quantity or a plurality of physical quantities. 2. A piping network installed in an apartment house, wherein the piping network includes a hydrogen producing means, a hydrogen storage means, and a hydrogen-using device provided for each house in the apartment house and consuming hydrogen. Are provided, and a control means for controlling the hydrogen production means, the hydrogen storage means, and the hydrogen using equipment, the control means includes a hydrogen consumption amount of the hydrogen using equipment,
A hydrogen supply system using a computer, wherein a hydrogen production amount in the hydrogen production means is controlled based on one of a hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage means and a hydrogen delivery amount of the hydrogen storage means. 3. The hydrogen supply system using a computer according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-using equipment includes a fuel cell. 4. The hydrogen supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-using apparatus includes a moving unit that drives hydrogen as fuel, and a hydrogen charging unit that supplies hydrogen to the moving unit. .