JP2003157875A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents
Fuel cell systemInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003157875A JP2003157875A JP2001355810A JP2001355810A JP2003157875A JP 2003157875 A JP2003157875 A JP 2003157875A JP 2001355810 A JP2001355810 A JP 2001355810A JP 2001355810 A JP2001355810 A JP 2001355810A JP 2003157875 A JP2003157875 A JP 2003157875A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- gas
- fuel cell
- ejector
- circulation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Landscapes
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、燃料電池システムに関
する、特に燃料循環装置を有する燃料電池システムの起
動に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to starting a fuel cell system having a fuel circulation device.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】燃料電池システムにおける燃料電池から
のオフガスの循環手段としては、特開平１０−５５８１
４号に示されたようなものがある。これでは、燃料電池
で発電に用いられなかった余剰の未反応のオフガスと、
新たに供給される燃料ガスとの混合循環をエゼクタによ
り行うことで効率のよい発電を行っている。2. Description of the Related Art As a means for circulating off-gas from a fuel cell in a fuel cell system, there is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-5581.
There is something like that shown in No. 4. With this, excess unreacted off-gas that was not used for power generation in the fuel cell,
Efficient power generation is achieved by mixing and circulating the newly supplied fuel gas with the ejector.
【０００３】また、燃料電池システムの停止時には、燃
料ガスの供給を停止し、燃料ガス配管中の燃料ガスを大
気中に放出して、燃料ガス配管中を空気や窒素ガスなど
の不活性ガスで充満させる方法が知られている。そのた
め、燃料電池システムの起動時には、燃料ガス配管中を
燃料ガスに置換する必要があり、大気開放弁（以下、パ
ージ弁）を開けた状態で燃料ガスを流して燃料ガス中の
不活性ガスを燃料ガスで置換する方法が知られている。When the fuel cell system is stopped, the supply of fuel gas is stopped, the fuel gas in the fuel gas pipe is released into the atmosphere, and the fuel gas pipe is filled with an inert gas such as air or nitrogen gas. It is known how to fill. Therefore, at the time of starting the fuel cell system, it is necessary to replace the inside of the fuel gas pipe with the fuel gas, and the fuel gas is made to flow with the atmosphere release valve (hereinafter referred to as the purge valve) opened to remove the inert gas in the fuel gas. A method of replacing with fuel gas is known.
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとしている問題点】しかしながら、
このような燃料循環装置においては、燃料ガス配管内に
空気、または窒素等の不活性ガスが充満されている停止
状態から運転を再開する時に、燃料ガス配管中に水素以
外のガスが居残ると、燃料電池の性能を著しく低下させ
てしまうという問題がある。[Problems to be solved by the invention] However,
In such a fuel circulation system, when a gas other than hydrogen remains in the fuel gas pipe when restarting the operation from a stopped state in which the fuel gas pipe is filled with air or an inert gas such as nitrogen. However, there is a problem that the performance of the fuel cell is significantly deteriorated.
【０００５】そこで本発明では、燃料ガス配管内に充満
した水素以外のガスを短時間で燃料ガスに置換すること
のできる燃料電池システムを提供することを目的とす
る。Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system capable of replacing a gas other than hydrogen with which the fuel gas pipe is filled with a fuel gas in a short time.
【０００６】[0006]
【問題点を解決するための手段】第１の発明は、燃料電
池の燃料極に燃料ガスを供給する燃料供給路と、燃料ガ
スを駆動流として前記燃料電池の燃料極から排出された
オフガスを循環路から前記燃料供給路へと循環させるエ
ゼクタと、オフガスを前記燃料電池からシステム外部に
放出するために設けられたパージラインと、を備え、起
動時の燃料ガスの供給量を、燃料ガスが前記エゼクタか
ら前記循環路を逆流して前記燃料電池に向かって流れる
範囲に設定して、前記循環路内のガスを前記パージライ
ンより排出する。A first aspect of the present invention provides a fuel supply path for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel electrode of a fuel cell and an off-gas discharged from the fuel electrode of the fuel cell by using the fuel gas as a driving flow. An ejector that circulates from the circulation path to the fuel supply path and a purge line that is provided to discharge off-gas from the fuel cell to the outside of the system are provided, and the supply amount of the fuel gas at the time of startup is The gas in the circulation path is discharged from the purge line by setting a range in which the circulation path flows backward from the ejector toward the fuel cell.
【０００７】第２の発明は、第１の発明において、起動
から所定時間後に、燃料ガスの供給量を前記燃料電池の
燃料極のオフガスが前記燃料電池から前記エゼクタに向
かって前記循環路を流れるように増量する。In a second aspect based on the first aspect, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start-up, the supply amount of the fuel gas, the off gas of the fuel electrode of the fuel cell flows from the fuel cell toward the ejector through the circulation path. To increase.
【０００８】第３の発明は、第２の発明において、前記
所定時間を、燃料ガスの積算流量が前記エゼクタから前
記燃料電池の排出口までの前記燃料供給路と前記循環路
の容積に等しくなる時間以上に設定した。In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the integrated flow rate of the fuel gas is equal to the volumes of the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage from the ejector to the outlet of the fuel cell for the predetermined time. Set to more than an hour.
【０００９】第４の発明は、第１の発明において、前記
循環路にガス濃度センサを設置し、前記循環路を流れる
ガスの濃度から前記循環路に水素ガスが充満したことを
判断してから、燃料ガスの供給量を前記燃料電池の燃料
極のオフガスが前記燃料電池から前記エゼクタに向かっ
て前記循環路を流れるように増量する。In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, a gas concentration sensor is installed in the circulation passage, and it is determined from the concentration of the gas flowing through the circulation passage that the circulation passage is filled with hydrogen gas. The supply amount of the fuel gas is increased so that the off gas of the fuel electrode of the fuel cell flows from the fuel cell toward the ejector through the circulation path.
【００１０】第５の発明は、第１から４のいずれか一つ
の発明において、前記エゼクタに供給される燃料ガスの
供給量と前記エゼクタへ循環されるオフガス流量の比で
ある循環比が、前記燃料供給路と前記循環路の容積比と
一致するように起動時に供給する燃料ガスの供給量を決
定する。According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the circulation ratio, which is the ratio of the supply amount of the fuel gas supplied to the ejector to the flow rate of the off gas circulated to the ejector, is the above-mentioned. The supply amount of the fuel gas supplied at the time of startup is determined so that the volume ratio between the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage matches.
【００１１】[0011]
【作用及び効果】第１の発明によれば、起動時に燃料ガ
スの供給量を燃料ガスがエゼクタから燃料電池に向かっ
て循環路を逆流する範囲に設定することで、循環路と燃
料供給路に充満していたガスが共にエゼクタからパージ
ラインに向かって流れるので、短時間で確実に配管内の
空気などをパージすることができる。According to the first aspect of the invention, by setting the supply amount of the fuel gas at the time of start-up in the range in which the fuel gas flows backward from the ejector to the fuel cell in the circulation path, the circulation path and the fuel supply path are Since both the filled gas flows from the ejector toward the purge line, the air in the pipe can be surely purged in a short time.
【００１２】第２の発明によれば、起動から所定時間後
に、燃料ガスの供給量を燃料電池の燃料極のオフガスが
燃料電池からエゼクタに向かって循環路を流れるように
設定することで、ガスパージ後に適格に発電に必要な燃
料ガス、または燃料ガスとオフガスの混合ガスを燃料電
池に供給するができる。According to the second aspect of the invention, the gas purge is set after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start-up so that the off gas of the fuel electrode of the fuel cell flows through the circulation path from the fuel cell to the ejector. After that, the fuel gas, or the mixed gas of the fuel gas and the off gas, which is necessary for power generation, can be appropriately supplied to the fuel cell.
【００１３】第３の発明によれば、所定時間を、燃料ガ
スの積算流量がエゼクタから燃料電池排出口までの燃料
供給路と循環路の容積に等しくなる時間以上に設定する
ことで、効率よく燃料ガス以外のガスを燃料ガスに置換
してから発電を開始することができる。According to the third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than the time at which the integrated flow rate of the fuel gas becomes equal to the volumes of the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage from the ejector to the fuel cell discharge port, so that the predetermined time is efficiently established. Power generation can be started after the gas other than the fuel gas is replaced with the fuel gas.
【００１４】第４の発明によれば、循環路を流れるガス
の濃度により燃料ガスが充満したことを判断すること
で、確実にまた短時間で燃料ガス以外のガスをパージす
ることができるので、燃料電池システムの起動時間を短
縮することができる。According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to surely purge the gas other than the fuel gas in a short time by judging that the fuel gas is full depending on the concentration of the gas flowing through the circulation path. The startup time of the fuel cell system can be shortened.
【００１５】第５の発明によれば、循環比が燃料供給路
と循環路の容積比と一致するように起動時に供給する燃
料ガスの供給量を決定することで、循環路内の燃料ガス
置換が燃料供給路内の燃料ガス置換とほぼ同時に完了す
るため、効率のよい燃料ガス置換が可能となる。According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the fuel gas replacement amount in the circulation passage is determined by determining the supply amount of the fuel gas supplied at the time of start-up so that the circulation ratio matches the volume ratio between the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage. Is completed almost simultaneously with the replacement of the fuel gas in the fuel supply passage, so that the efficient replacement of the fuel gas is possible.
【００１６】[0016]
【発明の実施の形態】第１の実施形態における燃料電池
システムの反応ガス供給系の構成を図１に示す。本燃料
電池システムは水素ガスと酸素ガスを用いた電気化学反
応により発電を行うシステムであり、ここでは水素ボン
ベ１から供給される水素ガスとシステム外部より供給さ
れる空気中の酸素との間に生じる反応により発電を行
う。FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a reaction gas supply system of a fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. This fuel cell system is a system that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction using hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and here, between the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen cylinder 1 and the oxygen in the air supplied from outside the system. Power is generated by the reaction that occurs.
【００１７】燃料電池システム運転時では、高圧環境下
で蓄えられている水素ボンベ１から圧力調整弁２により
流量・圧力を調整された水素ガスが、燃料供給路３５を
通り燃料電池３に供給される。圧力調整弁２の開度は、
コントロールユニット１０内の圧力調整弁駆動装置５に
より制御する。燃料供給路３５には、燃料電池３からの
未反応のオフガスを燃料供給路３５に吸引するためのエ
ゼクタ２３を設置する。During operation of the fuel cell system, hydrogen gas whose flow rate and pressure have been adjusted by the pressure adjusting valve 2 is supplied from the hydrogen cylinder 1 stored under a high pressure environment to the fuel cell 3 through the fuel supply passage 35. It The opening of the pressure control valve 2 is
It is controlled by the pressure control valve drive device 5 in the control unit 10. An ejector 23 for sucking unreacted off gas from the fuel cell 3 into the fuel supply passage 35 is installed in the fuel supply passage 35.
【００１８】エゼクタ２３では、供給された水素ガスの
流れにより後述する循環路３１のオフガスを吸引して、
それらが混合することにより混合燃料ガスを生成する。
生成された混合燃料ガスは加湿器２１に供給され、発電
に必要な水分を充分に吸収してから燃料電池３の燃料極
に供給される。燃料電池３に供給された混合燃料ガス
は、システム外部から空気供給路３２を介して燃料電池
３の空気極に供給された空気中の酸素ガスと反応するこ
とにより発電を行う。In the ejector 23, the off gas in the circulation path 31 described later is sucked by the flow of the supplied hydrogen gas,
Mixing them produces a mixed fuel gas.
The generated mixed fuel gas is supplied to the humidifier 21, and after sufficiently absorbing the moisture required for power generation, it is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3. The mixed fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 3 reacts with oxygen gas in the air supplied from the outside of the system to the air electrode of the fuel cell 3 via the air supply passage 32 to generate power.
【００１９】反応後に燃料電池３の燃料極より排出され
た余剰の未反応ガスであるオフガスは、燃料電池３の燃
料極の排出口とエゼクタ２３とを連結する循環路３１を
通り、再びエゼクタ２３を介して駆動流となる水素ガス
に吸入され、混合燃料ガスとして発電に利用される。The off gas, which is the surplus unreacted gas discharged from the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3 after the reaction, passes through the circulation path 31 connecting the discharge port of the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3 and the ejector 23, and again the ejector 23. It is drawn into the hydrogen gas, which becomes the driving flow, through the and is used for power generation as a mixed fuel gas.
【００２０】燃料供給路３５に吸入されるオフガスの循
環量と水素ボンベ１からの水素ガス供給量は、燃料電池
システムの負荷や循環するオフガスの排出量よりコント
ロールユニット１０において算出される。その結果によ
り、燃料電池３の燃料極と図示しない燃焼器とを連結す
るオフガス流路（パージライン）３３に配置されたパー
ジ弁８の開度や圧力調整弁２を制御することにより混合
燃料ガスの濃度流量を調整して発電量を制御する。The circulation amount of the off gas sucked into the fuel supply passage 35 and the hydrogen gas supply amount from the hydrogen cylinder 1 are calculated in the control unit 10 from the load of the fuel cell system and the discharge amount of the circulating off gas. As a result, the fuel gas mixture of the fuel cell 3 is controlled by controlling the opening degree of the purge valve 8 and the pressure adjusting valve 2 arranged in the off-gas passage (purge line) 33 that connects the combustor (not shown). The amount of power generation is controlled by adjusting the concentration flow rate.
【００２１】このような燃料電池システムにおいて、運
転停止時には燃料供給路３５や循環路３１、燃料電池３
の燃料極の燃料ガスは、窒素や空気によりシステム外部
にパージされて、不活性ガスで、ここでは空気で置換さ
れることによりシステムの安定化が図られる。そのた
め、ここではシステム外部からの空気をエゼクタ２３の
上流側から燃料供給路３５に供給する不活性ガス供給路
３４を配置する。不活性ガス供給路３４には不活性ガス
調整弁９を配置し、コントロールユニット１０からの指
令により空気の流量を制御する。燃料ガスパージ時に
は、この不活性ガス調整弁９およびパージ弁８を全開、
圧力調整弁２を全閉として、エゼクタ２３、加湿器２
１、燃料電池３の燃料極およびこれらをつなぐ燃料供給
路３５と循環路３１に空気を流通させ、燃料ガスを除去
する。In such a fuel cell system, when the operation is stopped, the fuel supply passage 35, the circulation passage 31, the fuel cell 3
The fuel gas of the fuel electrode is purged to the outside of the system by nitrogen or air and is replaced with an inert gas, here air, to stabilize the system. Therefore, here, the inert gas supply passage 34 for supplying air from the outside of the system to the fuel supply passage 35 from the upstream side of the ejector 23 is arranged. An inert gas adjusting valve 9 is arranged in the inert gas supply passage 34, and the flow rate of air is controlled by a command from the control unit 10. When the fuel gas is purged, the inert gas adjusting valve 9 and the purge valve 8 are fully opened,
With the pressure control valve 2 fully closed, the ejector 23, the humidifier 2
1. Air is circulated through the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3 and the fuel supply path 35 and the circulation path 31 that connect them to remove the fuel gas.
【００２２】このような燃料電池システムを起動すると
きには、エゼクタ２３、加湿器２１、燃料電池３の燃料
極および燃料供給路３５と循環路３１に充満した空気を
除去して、再び燃料ガスを充満させる必要がある。この
とき水素ガス以外のガスが、エゼクタ２３、加湿器２
１、燃料電池３の燃料極および燃料供給路３５と循環路
３１に存在すると、燃料電池３は規定の出力を発揮でき
ないため、水素ガスにより不活性ガスである空気をパー
ジしてから発電を開始する必要がある。When such a fuel cell system is started, the ejector 23, the humidifier 21, the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3, the fuel supply passage 35, and the air filled in the circulation passage 31 are removed, and the fuel gas is filled again. Need to let. At this time, gases other than hydrogen gas are ejected by the ejector 23 and the humidifier 2.
1. If the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3 and the fuel supply path 35 and the circulation path 31 are present, the fuel cell 3 cannot exhibit the specified output, so that the hydrogen gas is used to purge the air, which is an inert gas, and then the power generation is started. There is a need to.
【００２３】ここで、水素ボンベ１から供給された水素
ガスの流れを燃料循環の駆動流とした燃料電池システム
の循環装置であるエゼクタ２３の循環性能を図２に示
す。ここでは、循環路３１を燃料電池３の排出口からエ
ゼクタ２３に向かう流れを正の循環方向として、その時
の循環量をプラスで表している。Here, FIG. 2 shows the circulation performance of the ejector 23, which is a circulation device of the fuel cell system, in which the flow of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen cylinder 1 is used as a driving flow for fuel circulation. Here, the flow path from the outlet of the fuel cell 3 to the ejector 23 in the circulation path 31 is defined as a positive circulation direction, and the circulation amount at that time is represented by a positive value.
【００２４】循環路３１を流れてエゼクタ２３から燃料
供給路３５に供給されるオフガスの循環量Ｑrと、エゼ
クタ１２に水素ボンベ１から供給される水素ガス供給量
Ｑinとの比であるエゼクタの循環比ｒ(=循環量Ｑr／水
素ガス供給量Ｑin)は、ある時点までは供給量Ｑinに伴
って増加する傾向を示す。しかしながら、水素ガス供給
量Ｑinが少ない時には、循環比ｒはマイナスを示す。こ
れは、水素ガス供給量Ｑ inが小さい時には、エゼクタ２
３でのオフガス吸引力が弱く、一部の水素ガスがエゼク
タ２３の吸引口から循環路３１の方向に流れる、つまり
循環方向に対して水素ガスが逆流するので、水素ガスは
エゼクタ２３から燃料供給路３５を通り燃料電池２３の
入口へ向かうと同時に、エゼクタ２３から循環路３１を
流れて燃料電池３へ向かうためである。Fuel flows from the ejector 23 through the circulation path 31.
Circulation amount Q of off-gas supplied to the supply passage 35rAnd Eze
Amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen cylinder 1 to the battery 12
QinAnd the ejector circulation ratio r (= circulation amount Qr/water
Quantity of raw gas supply Qin) Is the supply amount Q up to a certain pointinAccompany
Shows an increasing tendency. However, hydrogen gas supply
Quantity QinWhen the ratio is small, the circulation ratio r shows a negative value. This
This is the hydrogen gas supply Q inIs small, ejector 2
The off-gas suction force at 3 is weak, and some hydrogen gas is
Flow from the suction port of the rotor 23 toward the circulation path 31, that is,
Since hydrogen gas flows backward in the circulation direction,
Of the fuel cell 23 from the ejector 23 through the fuel supply path 35.
At the same time as heading to the entrance, take the circulation path 31 from the ejector 23.
This is because it flows toward the fuel cell 3.
【００２５】本実施形態ではこのエゼクタ逆循環特性を
利用して、短時間で確実に不活性ガスである空気をパー
ジする。燃料電池システムが起動したら、水素ボンベ１
からエゼクタ２３への水素ガス供給流量Ｑinを、一部の
水素ガスがエゼクタ２３から循環路３１を通り燃料電池
３に向かう逆流循環領域（図２斜線部）の流量になるよ
うに、圧力調整弁２の開度を圧力調整弁駆動装置５によ
り調整する。パージ弁８は全開として、オフガス流路３
３を不活性ガスである空気の排出路とする。また、起動
からの時間をコントロールユニット１０に設置したタイ
マー６により積算しておき、設定時間が経過したら燃料
電池システムの運転を開始する。In the present embodiment, the ejector reverse circulation characteristic is utilized to reliably purge the air, which is an inert gas, in a short time. When the fuel cell system starts up, hydrogen cylinder 1
From the hydrogen gas supply flow rate Q in to the ejector 23, such that a portion of the hydrogen gas is the flow rate of the reverse flow recirculation zone (FIG. 2 hatched portion) toward the street fuel cell 3 to the circulation path 31 from the ejector 23, the pressure adjustment The opening degree of the valve 2 is adjusted by the pressure adjustment valve drive device 5. The purge valve 8 is fully opened, and the off gas flow path 3
3 is used as an exhaust passage for air which is an inert gas. Also, the time from the start-up is accumulated by the timer 6 installed in the control unit 10, and the operation of the fuel cell system is started when the set time has elapsed.
【００２６】次に、タイマー６により積算される起動時
から燃料電池システムの運転を開始するまでの不活性ガ
スのパージに要する時間を求める。Next, the time required for purging the inert gas from the start-up accumulated by the timer 6 to the start of the operation of the fuel cell system is obtained.
【００２７】まず、パージに必要な水素ガスの総量であ
るＶHを求める。これは、圧力調整弁２から燃料電池３
の燃料ガス排出口までの容積の合計ＶHと等しくする。
つまり、エゼクタ２３・加湿器２１・燃料電池３の燃料
極についての燃料ガス容積と圧力調整弁２からエゼクタ
２３、加湿器２１を介して燃料電池３に至るまでの燃料
供給路３５と、循環路３１とを形成する燃料ガス配管の
容積の合計ＶHをパージに必要な水素ガスの総量とす
る。このとき、水素ボンベ１からエゼクタ２３に供給さ
れる単位時間あたりの流量を水素置換流量Ｑinとするの
で、パージに掛かるパージ時間ｔhは次のように求めら
れる。First, V H , which is the total amount of hydrogen gas required for purging, is obtained. This is from the pressure regulating valve 2 to the fuel cell 3
Is equal to the total volume V H of the fuel gas to the fuel gas outlet.
That is, the fuel gas volume of the ejector 23, the humidifier 21, and the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3, and the fuel supply passage 35 from the pressure adjusting valve 2 to the fuel cell 3 through the ejector 23 and the humidifier 21, and the circulation passage. 31 and the total V H of the volume of the fuel gas pipe forming 31 is the total amount of hydrogen gas required for purging. At this time, since the flow rate per unit time supplied from the hydrogen cylinder 1 to the ejector 23 is the hydrogen substitution flow rate Q in , the purge time t h required for purging is obtained as follows.
【００２８】[0028]
【式１】
そこで、図２のようなマップから、循環比ｒがマイナス
になる、つまり燃料ガスがエゼクタ２３から循環路３１
を介して燃料電池３の燃料極へ逆流する範囲で単位時間
当たりの水素置換流量Ｑinを適当に決めてパージ時間ｔ
hを決定する。[Formula 1] Therefore, from the map as shown in FIG. 2, the circulation ratio r becomes negative, that is, the fuel gas flows from the ejector 23 to the circulation path 31.
By appropriately determining the hydrogen substitution flow rate Q in per unit time within the range of reverse flow to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 3 via the purge time t
Determine h .
【００２９】以上のようにして、パージ時間ｔhの間、
エゼクタ２３が逆循環方向に供給量Ｑinを流すことによ
り、燃料ガス配管内を水素で置換することができる。実
際には、式（１）で算出されるパージ時間ｔhより多少
長い時間をパージに必要な時間として、完全に水素置換
を行う。また、パージ時間を最小にするために、水素置
換流量Ｑinはエゼクタの循環性能から循環しない領域の
可能な限り多い流量とするほうが好ましい。As described above, during the purge time t h ,
By allowing the ejector 23 to flow the supply amount Q in in the reverse circulation direction, the inside of the fuel gas pipe can be replaced with hydrogen. Actually, the time required for purging is set to a time slightly longer than the purging time t h calculated by the equation (1), and the hydrogen replacement is performed completely. Further, in order to minimize the purge time, it is preferable that the hydrogen replacement flow rate Q in be as high as possible in the region where the ejector does not circulate because of the circulation performance of the ejector.
【００３０】あるいは、循環比ｒを燃料電池３からエゼ
クタ２３入口までの循環路３１の容積をＶR、エゼクタ
２３から燃料電池入口までの燃料供給路３５の一部と加
湿器２１の燃料ガスが供給される空間の容積の合計をＶ
Sとして、ｒ＝−ＶR／ＶSとすれば、循環路３１内の水
素置換が燃料供給路３５側の水素置換とほぼ同時に完了
するため、効率のよい水素置換が可能となる。[0030] Alternatively, the volume of V R of the circulation path 31 of the circulation ratio r from the fuel cell 3 to the ejector 23 inlet, the fuel gas portion and the humidifier 21 of the fuel supply passage 35 from the ejector 23 to the fuel cell inlet The total volume of the space supplied is V
As S, if r = -V R / V S, hydrogen substitution in the circulation path 31 is to complete substantially the same time as the hydrogen replacement of the fuel supply passage 35 side, thereby enabling efficient hydrogen.
【００３１】次に、コントロールユニット１０における
具体的な制御方法を図３のフローチャートに示す。Next, a specific control method in the control unit 10 is shown in the flow chart of FIG.
【００３２】まずステップＳ１−１において、圧力調整
弁２を上述の方法で求めた水素置換流量Ｑinとなるよう
に設定し、燃料を流す。このとき循環路３１内を燃料ガ
スがエゼクタ２３から燃料電池３に向かって流れる境界
量をアイドル流量ＱOとすると、流量Ｑinはアイドル流
量ＱOよりも少なくなるように設定する。次にステップ
Ｓ１−２においてコントロールユニット１０のタイマー
６をリセットする。ステップＳ１−３においてタイマー
６をスタートして、パージに費やしている時間を計る。First, in step S1-1, the pressure adjusting valve 2 is set so that the hydrogen replacement flow rate Q in obtained by the above-described method is set, and the fuel is supplied. At this time, when the boundary flow amount of the fuel gas flowing from the ejector 23 toward the fuel cell 3 in the circulation path 31 is an idle flow rate Q O , the flow rate Q in is set to be smaller than the idle flow rate Q O. Next, in step S1-2, the timer 6 of the control unit 10 is reset. In step S1-3, the timer 6 is started to measure the time spent for purging.
【００３３】次にステップＳ１−４に進み、タイマー６
によりカウントした時間を計測する。その結果、ステッ
プＳ１−５において、上述の方法で求めたパージ時間ｔ
hを超えたかどうかを判断する。まだ、パージ時間ｔhを
過ぎていなければ。ステップＳ１−４に戻り再びタイマ
ー６を計測し、計測結果がパージ時間ｔhを超えるまで
繰り返す。タイマー６の積算時間がパージ時間ｔhを超
えたらステップＳ１−６において、圧力調整弁２をアイ
ドル流量ＱOまたはそれ以上の流量に設定して通常制御
を開始する。Next, in step S1-4, the timer 6
Measure the time counted by. As a result, in step S1-5, the purge time t obtained by the above method is
Determine if h is exceeded. If the purge time t h has not passed yet. Returning to step S1-4, the timer 6 is measured again, and the measurement result is repeated until the purge time t h is exceeded. When the accumulated time of the timer 6 exceeds the purge time t h , the pressure control valve 2 is set to the idle flow rate Q O or higher flow rate and the normal control is started in step S1-6.
【００３４】このように制御することで、燃料電池シス
テム起動時に燃料ガスの配管内に充満した水素以外のガ
スを短時間で水素ガスに置換することができる。By controlling in this way, it is possible to replace the gas other than hydrogen filled in the fuel gas pipe with hydrogen gas in a short time when the fuel cell system is started.
【００３５】次に、第２の実施形態における燃料電池シ
ステムの構成を図４に示す。Next, FIG. 4 shows the structure of the fuel cell system according to the second embodiment.
【００３６】第２の実施形態では、タイマー６を設けず
に、循環路３１にガスの濃度センサ７を設置して、起動
制御から通常制御への切り替えを循環路３１中のガスの
濃度により行う。ここでは水素濃度センサ７を用いて水
素ガス濃度により制御の切り替えを行う。第１の実施形
態と同様に燃料電池システムの起動時には、エゼクタ２
３への供給流量をエゼクタ２３から循環路３１を介して
燃料電池３に流れる流量の範囲、つまり図２におけるエ
ゼクタ逆循環域となる斜線部の流量が流れるように圧力
調整弁２の開度を、圧力調整弁駆動装置５により調整す
る。In the second embodiment, the gas concentration sensor 7 is installed in the circulation path 31 without providing the timer 6, and switching from the start control to the normal control is performed by the concentration of the gas in the circulation path 31. . Here, the hydrogen concentration sensor 7 is used to switch the control depending on the hydrogen gas concentration. Similar to the first embodiment, when the fuel cell system is activated, the ejector 2
The opening of the pressure regulating valve 2 is adjusted so that the flow rate of the supply flow to the fuel cell 3 flows from the ejector 23 to the fuel cell 3 via the circulation path 31, that is, the flow rate in the shaded area in the ejector reverse circulation area in FIG. , And is adjusted by the pressure control valve drive device 5.
【００３７】循環路３１に設けた水素濃度センサ７の値
が所定の濃度になるまで、エゼクタ２３への水素ガス供
給量Ｑinをアイドル流量ＱO以下に維持し、水素濃度セ
ンサ７により測定した水素ガス濃度が所定以上になった
場合には、水素ガス供給量Ｑ inを増加して通常運転に切
り替える。Value of hydrogen concentration sensor 7 provided in circulation path 31
Of hydrogen gas to the ejector 23 until the concentration of
Salary QinIdle flow rate QOKeep the hydrogen concentration below
The hydrogen gas concentration measured by the sensor 7 has exceeded the specified level.
In case of hydrogen gas supply Q inTo normal operation
Replace.
【００３８】次にこのような制御を行う際にコントロー
ルユニット１０で行われる制御を図５のフローチャート
を用いて説明する。Next, the control performed by the control unit 10 when performing such control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
【００３９】ステップＳ２−１において、第１の実施形
態と同様に圧力調整弁２を水素置換流量Ｑin（Ｑin＜Ｑ
O）の流量に設定する。次にステップＳ２−２において
濃度センサ７で循環路を流れるガスの水素濃度を測定す
る。その結果、ステップＳ２−３において、水素置換が
完全ではなくて発電を始めることのできる水素濃度に達
していなければ、ステップＳ２−２に戻り再び水素ガス
濃度を測定する。これを繰り返し、水素置換が充分に進
み循環路３１のガスが所定濃度を超えたら、ステップＳ
２−４に進み圧力調整弁２をアイドル流量ＱOまたはそ
れ以上に設定して通常制御を開始する。In step S2-1, the pressure adjusting valve 2 is set to the hydrogen substitution flow rate Q in (Q in <Q as in the first embodiment.
O ) Set the flow rate. Next, in step S2-2, the concentration sensor 7 measures the hydrogen concentration of the gas flowing through the circulation path. As a result, in step S2-3, if the hydrogen substitution is not complete and the hydrogen concentration at which power generation can be started has not been reached, the process returns to step S2-2 and the hydrogen gas concentration is measured again. Repeating this, when the hydrogen substitution is sufficiently advanced and the gas in the circulation path 31 exceeds the predetermined concentration, step S
Proceeding to 2-4, the pressure control valve 2 is set to the idle flow rate Q O or higher and normal control is started.
【００４０】このように制御することで、発電に必要な
水素濃度になったことを確かめてから発電を開始できる
とともに、必要時間以上にパージ時間ｔhをとらないの
で、燃料電池システムの起動時間を短縮することができ
る。なお、ここでは水素ガス濃度を検知したが、不活性
ガスを検知することで水素置換の判断を行ってもよい。By controlling in this way, it is possible to start power generation after confirming that the hydrogen concentration required for power generation has been reached, and since the purge time t h is not taken longer than the required time, the start time of the fuel cell system is reduced. Can be shortened. Although the hydrogen gas concentration is detected here, the hydrogen replacement may be determined by detecting an inert gas.
【００４１】このように、本発明は上記実施の形態に限
定されるわけではなく、特許請求の範囲に記載した技術
的思想の範囲以内で様々な変更が成し得ることは言うま
でもない。As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.
【図１】第１の実施形態に用いる燃料電池システムの構
成を示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system used in a first embodiment.
【図２】エゼクタの燃料ガス供給量に対する循環比を示
す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circulation ratio with respect to a fuel gas supply amount of an ejector.
【図３】第１の実施形態の制御方法を示すフローチャー
トである。FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control method of the first embodiment.
【図４】第２の実施形態に用いる燃料電池システムの構
成を示す図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system used in a second embodiment.
【図５】第２の実施形態の制御方法を示すフローチャー
トである。FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method of the second embodiment.
２ 圧力調整弁 ３ 燃料電池 ６ タイマー ７ (水素)濃度センサ ８ パージ弁 ２３ エゼクタ ３１ 循環路 ３３ オフガス流路（パージライン） ３５ 燃料供給路 2 Pressure control valve 3 fuel cells 6 timer 7 (hydrogen) concentration sensor 8 Purge valve 23 Ejector 31 circuit 33 Off-gas flow path (purge line) 35 Fuel supply path
Claims (5)
料供給路と、 燃料ガスを駆動流として前記燃料電池の燃料極から排出
されたオフガスを循環路から前記燃料供給路へと循環さ
せるエゼクタと、 オフガスを前記燃料電池からシステム外部に放出するた
めに設けられたパージラインと、を備え、 起動時の燃料ガスの供給量を、燃料ガスが前記エゼクタ
から前記循環路を逆流して前記燃料電池に向かって流れ
る範囲に設定して、前記循環路内のガスを前記パージラ
インより排出することを特徴とする燃料電池システム。1. A fuel supply path for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel electrode of a fuel cell, and an off-gas discharged from a fuel electrode of the fuel cell using the fuel gas as a driving flow to circulate from a circulation path to the fuel supply path. An ejector and a purge line provided to release off-gas from the fuel cell to the outside of the system are provided, and the supply amount of the fuel gas at the time of start is determined by the fuel gas flowing backward from the ejector to the circulation path. The fuel cell system is characterized in that the gas in the circulation path is discharged from the purge line by setting the flow range toward the fuel cell.
を前記燃料電池の燃料極のオフガスが前記燃料電池から
前記エゼクタに向かって前記循環路を流れるように増量
する請求項１に記載の燃料電池システム。2. The fuel gas supply amount is increased after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start-up so that the off-gas of the fuel electrode of the fuel cell flows through the circulation path from the fuel cell toward the ejector. Fuel cell system.
記エゼクタから前記燃料電池の排出口までの前記燃料供
給路と前記循環路の容積に等しくなる時間以上に設定し
た請求項２に記載の燃料電池システム。3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than a time at which the integrated flow rate of the fuel gas becomes equal to the volumes of the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage from the ejector to the outlet of the fuel cell. Fuel cell system.
スが充満したことを判断してから、燃料ガスの供給量を
前記燃料電池の燃料極のオフガスが前記燃料電池から前
記エゼクタに向かって前記循環路を流れるように増量す
る請求項１に記載の燃料電池システム。4. A gas concentration sensor is installed in the circulation path, and it is judged from the concentration of the gas flowing through the circulation path that the circulation path is filled with hydrogen gas, and then the supply amount of the fuel gas is adjusted to the fuel cell. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of off gas of the fuel electrode is increased so as to flow from the fuel cell toward the ejector in the circulation path.
量と前記エゼクタへ循環されるオフガス流量の比である
循環比が、前記燃料供給路と前記循環路の容積比と一致
するように起動時に供給する燃料ガスの供給量を決定す
る請求項１から４のいずれか一つに記載の燃料電池シス
テム。5. A start-up is performed such that a circulation ratio, which is a ratio of a supply amount of fuel gas supplied to the ejector and a flow rate of off-gas circulated to the ejector, matches a volume ratio of the fuel supply passage and the circulation passage. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the supply amount of the fuel gas supplied at times is determined.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001355810A JP3666446B2 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2001-11-21 | Fuel cell system |
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001355810A JP3666446B2 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2001-11-21 | Fuel cell system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003157875A true JP2003157875A (en) | 2003-05-30 |
| JP3666446B2 JP3666446B2 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
Family
ID=19167444
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001355810A Expired - Fee Related JP3666446B2 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2001-11-21 | Fuel cell system |
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| JP2006019192A (en) * | 2004-07-02 | 2006-01-19 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Fuel cell system and its starting method |
| JP2006019153A (en) * | 2004-07-02 | 2006-01-19 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Fuel cell system and its starting method |
| JP2006114226A (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-04-27 | Toyota Motor Corp | Fuel cell system and its control unit |
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| JP5886483B1 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2016-03-16 | パナソニック株式会社 | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same |
| JP5926866B2 (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2016-05-25 | パナソニック株式会社 | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same |
| DE102021107801A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-10-07 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system |
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| JP5886483B1 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2016-03-16 | パナソニック株式会社 | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same |
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| JP5926866B2 (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2016-05-25 | パナソニック株式会社 | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same |
| US10079396B2 (en) | 2014-05-28 | 2018-09-18 | Panasonic Corporation | Solid-oxide fuel cell system and method of stopping same |
| DE102021107801A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-10-07 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system |
| US11862825B2 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2024-01-02 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system |
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