JP2006004833A - Front-end system of fuel cell and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system not making a protection function of a microcomputer meter useless, avoiding cut-off of gas flow, avoiding the generation of an alarm caused by the microcomputer meter, and suppressing decrease in operation efficiency of the fuel cell system. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell system is equipped with a reformer 31 reforming commercial gas G passed through the microcomputer meter 2 and the raw gas not passing through the microcomputer meter 2, a raw fuel supply device 38 supplying the commercial gas G and the raw fuel m to the reformer 31, and when the variation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G passed through the meter 2 while a first prescribed time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 is elapsed is within the prescribed range, the raw fuel supply device 38 supplies the raw fuel m to the reformer 31 instead of the commercial gas G so that the variation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G exceeds the prescribed range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell front system and a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a meter that cuts off a gas flow when a predetermined flow rate of gas flows for a predetermined time or more and issues an alarm when the gas continues to flow for a predetermined time. The present invention relates to a fuel cell pre-system having a reformer for reforming the passed commercial gas into fuel gas, and a fuel cell system including the fuel cell pre-system.

  A fuel cell system that is a power generation system equipped with a fuel cell that can significantly reduce emissions of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause global warming, in recent years, with increasing interest in environmental conservation. Is attracting attention. In general, a fuel cell system reforms a raw material fuel in a reformer to generate a fuel gas rich in hydrogen, and generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between the generated fuel gas and an oxidant gas containing oxygen. System. As the raw material fuel, various raw material fuels such as city gas, LPG, digestion gas, methanol, GTL (Gas to Liquid) and kerosene can be used. In particular, a fuel cell system is installed at home as a distributed power source. Sometimes, commercial gas such as city gas is used from the viewpoint of availability.

  By the way, when receiving supply of commercial gas, from the viewpoint of safety, there is a case where the supply of gas is received through a meter that issues an alarm or automatically shuts off the gas flow when the gas continues to flow for a predetermined time. A typical example is the case where commercial gas is supplied at home. A meter having such a protection function is generally called a microcomputer meter. The microcomputer meter can be used in accordance with the gas flow rate, for example, when the gas flows unnaturally in large quantities, such as when the rubber tube is removed, or when the gas usage time is longer than necessary, such as leaving the bath. When a gas having a flow rate within a predetermined fluctuation range flows for a predetermined time or longer, the gas flow is automatically cut off. Furthermore, there is a crack in the rubber tube, the gas leaks and a minute amount of gas flows for a predetermined time (for example, 30 It is a meter that has a function to issue an alarm when it continues to flow for more than a day.

  When using commercial gas as a raw material for fuel gas, the fuel cell may also introduce gas that has passed through the microcomputer meter into the reformer. In general, the gas is supplied through the microcomputer meter at home. It is.

  However, when there is a constant power load constantly, when the commercial gas is introduced into the reformer in accordance with the operation of the fuel cell in order to always operate the fuel cell, when the gas continues to flow for a predetermined time, Even if it is a normal operation, the microcomputer meter may mistakenly recognize that there is a gas leak and cut off the gas flow or issue an alarm. If the flow of gas introduced into the reformer is cut off as a result of the gas flow being cut off by the microcomputer meter, the production of fuel gas is stopped, and the fuel cell from which the supply of fuel gas is cut off is also stopped. In addition, there is an annoyance that the user has to stop the alarm when the alarm is issued. In order to stop the alarm, the microcomputer meter does not detect the pulse for a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes or more), that is, the gas flow. There must be no state. If the flow of gas introduced into the reformer to stop the alarm is interrupted, the production of fuel gas is stopped, and the fuel cell from which the supply of fuel gas is cut off is also stopped. Like these, if the time period when the fuel cell stops unexpectedly is a time period when the power load is heavy, a lot of power must be purchased from the outside, and the merit of introducing the fuel cell system can be fully utilized. Cannot be performed, that is, the operation efficiency is reduced. On the other hand, it is difficult to disable the protection function of the microcomputer meter from the viewpoint of safety.

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention avoids shutting off the gas flow and avoiding an alarm by the microcomputer meter without invalidating the protection function of the microcomputer meter, thereby reducing the operation efficiency of the fuel cell system. It aims at providing the fuel cell system which can be suppressed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the fuel cell pre-system according to claim 1 cuts off the flow of gas when a predetermined flow rate of gas flows for a predetermined time or more, as shown in FIG. A reformer 31 for introducing a commercial gas G that has passed through the functioning meter 2 and a raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2 and reforming the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m to produce a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen; A raw material supply device 38 for supplying the reformer 31 with the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m, and the meter until the first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 elapses. When the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G that has passed through 2 is within a predetermined range, the reforming device converts the raw material fuel m to the commercial gas G so that the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G is not less than the predetermined width. And a raw material supply device 38 to be supplied to 31.

  If comprised in this way, when the fluctuation | variation of the flow volume of the commercial gas which passed the meter by the time until 1st predetermined time passes will be in a predetermined width, the fluctuation | variation of the flow volume of commercial gas will become more than this predetermined width | variety. As described above, since the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter can be varied by a predetermined width or more, and the function of blocking the gas flow provided in the meter is activated. This is a fuel cell front system that can continuously operate the fuel cell while avoiding this. The “commercial gas” generally refers to a gas that is supplied from the outside by paying a consideration such as city gas or propane gas, but is not limited thereto, and is a hydrocarbon-based combustible gas that is supplied through a meter. Further, “rich in hydrogen” typically means a state where hydrogen occupies about 75% of the fuel gas.

  Further, the fuel cell pre-system according to claim 2 is a reformer in place of the raw material supply device in the fuel cell pre-system 130 according to claim 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 31 is a raw material supply device 38 for supplying the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m to the reforming device 31 until a first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 elapses. When the variation in the flow rate of the introduced commercial gas G is within a predetermined range, the raw material fuel m is changed to the reformer 31 instead of the commercial gas G so that the variation in the flow rate of the commercial gas G exceeds the predetermined range. A raw material supply device 38 is provided.

With this configuration, when the fluctuation in the flow rate of the commercial gas introduced into the reformer before the first predetermined time elapses is within a predetermined range, the fluctuation in the flow rate of the commercial gas is Since the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas so that it exceeds the width, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter can be varied by a predetermined width or more, and the flow of gas provided in the meter can be changed. This is a fuel cell front system capable of continuously operating the fuel cell while avoiding the operation of the blocking function.

  Further, the fuel cell pre-system according to claim 3 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the commercial gas G and the meter 2 that have passed through the meter 2 that issues an alarm when the gas continues to flow for a second predetermined time. A reforming device 31 that introduces a raw material fuel m that does not pass through and reforms the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m to produce a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen; When the commercial gas G continues to flow into the meter 2 until the second predetermined time elapses after the gas G flows in the meter 2, the raw material supply device 38 supplies a third predetermined time. A raw material supply device 38 for supplying the raw material fuel m to the reformer 31 in place of the inter-commercial gas G is provided.

  With this configuration, when the commercial gas continues to flow through the meter until the second predetermined time elapses, the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas for the third predetermined time. The flow rate of the gas passing through the meter can be stopped for a third predetermined time, thereby providing a fuel cell front system capable of continuously operating the fuel cell while preventing the meter from issuing an alarm. .

  Here, the “second predetermined time” typically means that the meter gives an alarm when a predetermined flow rate of gas flows for a certain period of time or more, such as when a gas leaks due to a crack in the rubber tube. This is the time required for departure (for example, 30 days). The “third predetermined time” is typically a time (for example, 60 minutes) required to interrupt the measurement of the second predetermined time. Further, “the gas continues to flow” refers to a state in which the gas flow is not stopped continuously for the third predetermined time or more.

  Further, the fuel cell pre-system according to claim 4 is a reformer in place of the raw material supply device in the fuel cell pre-system 130 according to claim 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 31 is a raw material supply device 38 that supplies the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m to the reforming device 31 until the second predetermined time elapses after the commercial gas G flows in the reforming device 31. When the commercial gas G continues to flow, a raw material supply device 38 that supplies the raw material fuel m to the reformer 31 instead of the commercial gas G for a third predetermined time is provided.

  With this configuration, when the commercial gas continues to flow through the reformer until the second predetermined time elapses, the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas for the third predetermined time. Therefore, the fuel cell pre-system which can stop the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter for a third predetermined time, thereby allowing the fuel cell to continuously operate while avoiding the meter from issuing an alarm. It becomes.

  In addition, the fuel cell system according to claim 5 introduces the fuel cell front system and 130 according to any one of claims 1 to 4, for example, as shown in FIG. And a fuel cell 32 that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction.

  If comprised in this way, since fuel gas is continuously supplied to a fuel cell, it will become a fuel cell system which uses commercial gas as a main raw material and can be continuously operated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, when a gas having a predetermined flow rate flows for a predetermined time or longer, the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 having a function of blocking the flow of the gas and the raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2 are used. A reformer 31 for reforming the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m to produce a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen; and a fuel for generating heat by introducing the fuel gas h and generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction The battery 32; the heat generated in the fuel cell 32 is stored using hot water as a medium, and the first auxiliary heater 42A that introduces and burns the commercial gas G and heats the hot water u and the commercial gas G is introduced and burned. A hot water storage unit 4 having at least one of a second auxiliary heater 42B for heating hot water w introduced and circulated from the outside; a raw material supply device 38 for supplying commercial gas G and raw material fuel m to the reformer 31; , Meter 2 The flow rate of the commercial gas G introduced into the reformer 31 and the first auxiliary heater 42A and the second auxiliary heater until the first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the excess commercial gas G has elapsed. When the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G combined with the flow rate of the commercial gas G introduced into at least one of the 42B is within a predetermined width, the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas G is equal to or greater than the predetermined width. The fuel cell system 1 may include a raw material supply device 38 that supplies the raw material fuel m to the reformer 31 instead of the commercial gas G.

  If comprised in this way, the flow volume of the commercial gas introduced into the reformer, the 1st auxiliary heater, and the 2nd until the 1st predetermined time according to the flow volume of the commercial gas which passed the meter passes. When the fluctuation of the total commercial gas flow rate with the commercial gas flow rate introduced into at least one of the auxiliary heaters is within a predetermined range, the fluctuation of the commercial gas flow rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined width. Since the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter can be varied by a predetermined width or more, and the function of blocking the gas flow provided in the meter is activated. This is a fuel cell system that can continuously operate the fuel cell while avoiding this.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2 that issues an alarm when the gas continues to flow for the second predetermined time and the raw material fuel m that does not pass the meter 2 are introduced, and the commercial gas G and A reforming device 31 for reforming the raw material fuel m to generate a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen; a fuel cell 32 for generating heat by introducing the fuel gas h and performing an electrochemical reaction; The generated heat is stored using hot water as a medium, and the first auxiliary heater 42A that introduces and burns the commercial gas G and heats the hot water u and the hot water w that introduces and burns the commercial gas G and introduces and circulates it from the outside. A hot water storage unit 4 having at least one of the second auxiliary heaters 42B for heating the raw material; a raw material supply device 38 for supplying the reformer 31 with the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m, the reformer 31 and the first Auxiliary heater 4 The reforming device 31, the first auxiliary heater 42A, and the second auxiliary until the second predetermined time elapses after the commercial gas G is introduced into one of the A and the second auxiliary heater 42B. When the commercial gas G is continuously introduced into any one of the heaters 42B, the commercial gas G is switched to the commercial gas G for the third predetermined time during which the first auxiliary heater 42A and the second auxiliary heater 42B are stopped. Alternatively, the fuel cell system 1 may include the raw material supply device 38 that supplies the raw material fuel m to the reforming device 31.

  With this configuration, when the commercial gas is continuously introduced into any one of the reforming device and the first auxiliary heater and the second auxiliary heater until the second predetermined time elapses, Since the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas for the third predetermined time when the first auxiliary heater and the second auxiliary heater are stopped, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter is changed to the third flow rate. The fuel cell system can be shut off for a predetermined time, and the fuel cell system can continuously operate the fuel cell while preventing the meter from issuing an alarm.

  According to the present invention, when the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas that has passed through the meter before the first predetermined time elapses is within a predetermined range, the raw material is replaced with the commercial gas having a flow rate of the predetermined width or more. Since the fuel is supplied to the reformer, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter can be varied by a predetermined width or more, and the fuel cell can be operated while avoiding the function of shutting off the gas flow provided in the meter. This is a fuel cell front system that can be operated continuously. When the raw material fuel is supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas for the third predetermined time before the second predetermined time elapses, the flow rate of the gas passing through the meter is set to the third flow rate. The fuel cell front system can be stopped for a predetermined time, and the fuel cell can be continuously operated while avoiding the meter from issuing an alarm.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or equivalent devices are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In the figure, a broken line represents a control signal.

  The configuration of the fuel cell system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a fuel cell system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell unit 3, a hot water storage unit 4, a power consumption meter 39, a control device 9, and a battery 61 that stores electric power.

  The fuel cell unit 3 introduces a commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 and a raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2 and feeds at least one of them to the reformer 31, and a commercial gas sent from the raw material supplier 38 A reformer 31 that introduces and reforms at least one of G and the raw material fuel m to generate a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen, and an oxidant gas a containing oxygen and an electrochemical gas are introduced. And a fuel cell 32 that generates power by reaction and generates water and heat.

  The raw material supply device 38 is configured to introduce the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 and the raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2, and to send at least one of them to the reforming device 31. The raw material supply device 38 includes a nozzle that introduces the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2, a nozzle that introduces the raw material fuel m that does not pass the meter 2, and the raw material fuel G that has passed the meter 2 and the raw material fuel that does not pass the meter 2. a nozzle for deriving at least one of m. The raw material supply device 38 adjusts the flow rate of the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 and adjusts the flow rate of the raw material fuel m that does not pass through the flow rate adjustment valve that can cut off the flow and shuts off the flow. And a flow rate adjusting valve capable of When the pressure of the supplied raw material fuel m is insufficient, a fan or a blower is provided when the raw material fuel is gas, and a pump is provided when the raw material fuel is liquid. The raw material fuel m introduced into the raw material supply device 38 may be stored in a tank and held in the fuel cell unit 3. A signal cable is laid between the raw material supply device 38 and the control device 9. The raw material supply device 38 receives a signal from the control device 9 and appropriately selects one or both of the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2 and the raw material fuel m that has not passed the meter 2 with the respective flow rate adjustment valves. The flow rate is adjusted and sent to the reformer 31. A pipe 53 is connected to the nozzle for introducing the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2, and a gas flow meter 37 is disposed in the pipe 53. The pipe 53 is connected to a pipe 52 outside the fuel cell unit 3, and the meter 2 is arranged in the pipe 52.

  As the raw material fuel m, a raw material that can be reformed to generate a fuel gas h rich in hydrogen, such as LPG, digestion gas, methanol, GTL (Gas to Liquid) and kerosene, is used. Although commercial gas such as city gas may be used, it is preferable to provide a safety device that shuts off gas or issues an alarm when gas leaks from the viewpoint of safety. The safety device may be a meter different from the meter 2 having the same function as that of the meter 2, but the commercial gas as the raw material fuel m introduced into the raw material supply device 38 here is supplied to the fuel cell system 1. Since it is not a commercial gas that is mainly introduced, it does not fall under “commercial gas that has passed through the meter 2” in this specification. Further, since the commercial gas as the raw material fuel m in this case is supplied exclusively to the fuel cell unit 3 (reformer 31), it is possible to detect a gas leak in the fuel cell unit 3 (reformer 31). May be.

  A signal cable is laid between the gas flow meter 37 and the control device 9. The gas flow meter 37 is configured to measure the flow rate of the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 introduced into the raw material supply device 38 and to transmit the measured flow rate of the gas G to the control device 9 as a signal. ing.

  The meter 2 has a function (safety device) that shuts off the flow of the gas G when a predetermined flow rate of gas flows for a predetermined time or more and issues an alarm when the gas continues to flow for a predetermined time. Sometimes called. The meter 2 can be used for a predetermined period of time or longer, for example, when a large amount of gas flows unnaturally, such as when the rubber tube is removed, or when the gas usage time is longer than necessary, such as leaving the bath. When the flow rate of gas flows, the gas flow is automatically shut off, and an alarm is issued when there is a crack in the rubber tube and a small amount of gas continues to flow for a specified time. It is configured. A signal cable is laid between the meter 2 and the control device 9 so that the flow rate of the gas G passing through the meter 2 can be transmitted to the control device 9 as a signal. The gas G that has passed through the meter 2 is supplied to the reformer 31, auxiliary heaters 42A and 42B, a gas appliance 99 such as a gas stove outside the system, and the like.

  The time required from the start of the flow of the gas G to the meter 2 until the flow is cut off depends on the flow rate of the gas G flowing through the meter 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the flow rate of the gas G flowing through the meter 2 is relatively high, the time required to cut off the flow of the gas G is relatively short, and the flow rate of the gas G flowing through the meter 2 is relatively low. When the amount is small, it takes a relatively long time to block the flow of the gas G. The relationship between the flow rate of the gas G and the time required to shut off the flow of the gas G corresponds to “a first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas that has passed through the meter”. Further, the measurement for a predetermined time is interrupted when the fluctuation of the gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined amount, and is measured again. The fluctuation range of the gas flow rate necessary for interrupting the measurement for the first predetermined time differs depending on the meter used. Typically, the accumulated amount of the gas G is obtained by integrating the flow rate of the gas G every certain time. Is configured to interrupt the measurement for the first predetermined time if it fluctuates by a certain amount or more compared to the previous integrated amount. The fluctuation range of the gas flow rate necessary for interrupting the measurement for the first predetermined time corresponds to the “predetermined width”.

  Further, the “predetermined time” when the alarm is issued when the gas continues to flow for a predetermined time is 30 days in the present embodiment, and this corresponds to the second predetermined time. Further, even if the gas continues to flow for the second predetermined time, it can be avoided that the meter 2 issues an alarm when the flow amount is very small. In this case, “very small amount” is generally used. Therefore, it is necessary to cut off the gas flow once within the second predetermined time (30 days). Also, the meter 2 determines that there is no gas leakage and is normal when there is no gas flow for a predetermined time within the second predetermined time (30 days), and measures the second predetermined time (30 days). The measurement is interrupted and measurement of the second predetermined time (30 days) is newly started. In this case, the “predetermined time” is 60 minutes in the present embodiment, and this corresponds to the third predetermined time.

  The reformer 31 has a combustion section 31a for obtaining reforming heat necessary for reforming. The reformer 31 also includes a nozzle for introducing the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m sent from the raw material supply device 38, a nozzle for introducing the modifier s, and a fuel gas h generated by the reforming reaction. And a nozzle for deriving. Further, the combustion section 31 a has a nozzle for introducing the anode off gas p discharged from the fuel cell 32. A nozzle for deriving the fuel gas h generated by the reformer 31 is connected to the fuel electrode 32 a of the fuel cell 32.

  The fuel cell 32 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and includes a fuel electrode 32a, an air electrode 32b, and a cooling water channel 32c. The fuel electrode 32a is provided with a nozzle for introducing the fuel gas h generated and introduced by the reformer 31, and a nozzle for discharging the anode off gas p. In the air electrode 32b, a nozzle for introducing the oxidant gas a delivered from the blower 88 and a nozzle for discharging the cathode off gas q are arranged. In the cooling water flow path 32c, a nozzle for introducing the cooling water c as a cooling fluid pumped by the circulation pump 35 and a nozzle for deriving the cooling water c are arranged.

  A signal cable is laid between the blower 88 that sends the oxidant gas a to the air electrode 32 b and the control device 9. The blower 88 receives a signal from the control device 9, adjusts the rotational speed of the rotor blade, and sends the oxidant gas a having a flow rate corresponding to the flow rate of the fuel gas h sent to the fuel electrode 32a to the air electrode 32b. It is configured.

  The fuel cell unit 3 including the reforming device 31, the fuel cell 32, and the raw material supply device 38 further includes an inverter 33 that converts a direct current generated by the fuel cell 32 into an alternating current, and a heat storage unit that generates heat generated by the fuel cell 32. 4, a heat pump 34 for exchanging heat to store in the heat exchanger 4, a circulation pump 35 for circulating the cooling water c through the cooling water flow path 32 c and the heat exchanger 34, and a circulation for circulating the waste heat hot water t through the heat exchanger 34 and the hot water storage unit 4. A pump 36 is provided.

  The hot water storage unit 4 includes a hot water storage tank 41 that stores exhaust heat from the fuel cell 32 as hot water, an auxiliary heater 42A that can heat the hot water consumption u derived from the hot water storage tank 41 and used mainly for hot water supply, Auxiliary heater 42B that can heat circulating hot water w that is circulated for heating and bathing, hot water consumption meter 49A that measures the flow rate of consumed hot water u, and circulation that measures the flow rate of circulating hot water w And a hot water flow meter 49B.

  The hot water storage tank 41 has a nozzle for introducing exhaust hot water t whose temperature has risen at the upper part and a nozzle for deriving the hot water consumption u toward a hot water supply load such as a hot water supply appliance, and a waste heat hot water having a lower temperature at the lower part. A nozzle for deriving t toward the heat exchanger 34 is arranged. A heating element 62 that generates heat by electricity is disposed in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 41.

  The auxiliary heater 42 </ b> A is disposed in the pipe 54 through which the consumed hot water u with a high temperature derived from the hot water tank 41 flows. The auxiliary heater 42A is configured to introduce the commercial gas G through the flow rate adjustment valve 48A, burn the introduced gas, and heat the consumed hot water u flowing in the pipe 54. The flow rate adjusting valve 48A is an electric two-way valve, and is configured to adjust the flow rate of the gas G introduced into the auxiliary heater 42A and to block the flow of the gas G. A signal cable is laid between the flow rate adjusting valve 48 </ b> A and the control device 9. The flow regulating valve 48A receives the signal from the control device 9 and opens and closes the valve, thereby controlling the introduction of the gas G to the auxiliary heater 42A and controlling the temperature of the consumed hot water u flowing in the pipe 54. It is configured to be able to.

  The auxiliary heater 42B is disposed in the pipe 55 through which the circulating hot water w flows. The auxiliary heater 42B is configured to introduce the commercial gas G through the flow rate adjustment valve 48B, burn the introduced gas, and heat the circulating hot water w flowing in the pipe 55. The flow rate adjustment valve 48B is an electric two-way valve, and is configured to adjust the flow rate of the gas G introduced into the auxiliary heater 42B and to block the flow of the gas G. A signal cable is laid between the flow rate adjusting valve 48B and the control device 9. The flow rate adjusting valve 48B receives a signal from the control device 9 and opens and closes the valve, thereby controlling the introduction of the gas G to the auxiliary heater 42B and controlling the temperature of the circulating hot water w flowing in the pipe 55. It is configured to be able to.

  A temperature detector 43 is arranged in the upstream pipe 54 of the auxiliary heater 42A, and a temperature detector 44 is arranged in the downstream pipe 54, respectively. A temperature detector 45 is arranged in the upstream pipe 55 of the auxiliary heater 42B, and a temperature detector 46 is arranged in the downstream pipe 55, respectively. A signal cable is laid between each temperature detector 43, 44, 45, 46 and the control device 9. The temperature detectors 43 and 44 are each configured to detect the temperature of the consumed hot water u flowing in the pipe 54 and to transmit the detected temperature of the consumed hot water u as a signal to the control device 9. The temperature detectors 45 and 46 are configured to detect the temperature of the circulating hot water w flowing in the pipe 55 and transmit the detected temperature of the circulating hot water w as a signal to the control device 9.

  A consumed hot water flow meter 49A and a circulating hot water flow meter 49B are respectively arranged in a pipe 54 on the downstream side of the temperature detector 44 and a pipe 55 on the downstream side of the temperature detector 46. The consumed hot water flow meter 49A is configured to measure the amount of consumed hot water u derived from the hot water storage tank 41, that is, the amount of hot water supply load. The circulating hot water flow meter 49B is configured to be able to measure the amount of circulating hot water w flowing through the heating appliance or the additional cooking pipe of the bath, that is, the amount of heating load or additional cooking load (hereinafter referred to as “hot water load”). . A signal cable is laid between the consumption hot water flow meter 49A, the circulating hot water flow meter 49B and the control device 9, and the measurement result of the flow rate of the hot water measured by the consumption hot water flow meter 49A and the circulating hot water flow meter 49B. Can be transmitted to the control device 9 as signals as needed.

  The power consumption meter 39 introduces electricity generated by the fuel cell 32 and converted into alternating current by the inverter 33 and electricity E supplied from a commercial power source so as to supply electricity to power loads such as power of equipment and lamps. It is configured. The power consumption meter 39 is configured to be able to measure how much power is loaded, how much power is generated by the fuel cell unit 3, and how much power is supplied from a commercial power source. A signal cable is laid between the power consumption meter 39 and the control device 9, and the amount of generated current measured by the power consumption meter 39 and the measurement result of the power load are transmitted to the control device 9 as needed. It is configured to be able to.

  The control device 9 receives the gas G flow rate signal from the meter 2 or receives the gas G flow rate signal from the gas flow meter 37, and the flow rate and flow rate of the gas G introduced into the fuel cell unit 3. It is comprised so that the time until the flow of the gas G which passes the meter corresponding to can be grasped | ascertained can be grasped | ascertained. The control device 9 also receives the hot water flow meter 49A and the temperature detectors 43 and 44, and the circulating hot water flow meter 49B and the temperature detectors 45 and 46, respectively, to receive the warm water flow rate and temperature signals, and the auxiliary heater The flow rate of the gas G introduced into the hot water storage unit 4 can be grasped by grasping the flow rate and temperature difference of the hot water passing through 42A and 42B. That is, the amount of the gas G used in the auxiliary heaters 42A and 42B is theoretically (“hot water flow rate” × “temperature difference before and after the auxiliary heater”) / “specific to the gas G introduced into the auxiliary heater. Derived from “heat generation per unit flow rate”. Further, the control device 9 controls the meter 2 based on the signals received from the meter 2, the gas flow meter 37, the consumed hot water flow meter 49A, the circulating hot water flow meter 49B, and the temperature detectors 43, 44, 45, 46. A signal is sent to the raw material supply device 38 as necessary to select the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m and adjust the flow rate so that the safety device does not operate and the flow of the gas G is interrupted. Thus, an appropriate raw material can be sent to the appropriate amount reformer 31.

  Further, the control device 9 receives the power load measurement signal from the power consumption meter 39 at any time, how much power load was in what time zone of the day, how much power generation amount of the fuel cell unit 3 was, A measurement result of how much power is received from the power source can be held for at least a second predetermined time (30 days). Moreover, the hot water load signal from the consumption hot water flow meter 49A and the hot water load measurement signal from the circulating hot water flow meter 49B are received at any time, and the measurement result of how much hot water load and hot water load were in which time of the day. Can be held for at least the second predetermined time (30 days). The control device 9 determines the necessary power generation amount and the necessary hot water amount in the fuel cell 32 based on the respective signals received from the power consumption meter 39, the consumed hot water flow meter 49A, and the circulating hot water flow meter 49B. Accordingly, a signal is transmitted to the raw material supply device 38 to select the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m and to adjust the flow rate, to transmit an opening degree adjusting signal to the flow rate adjusting valves 48A and 48B, and to the blower 88 as necessary. It is configured such that the operation / stop of the fuel cell system 1 can be controlled by transmitting a rotation speed adjustment signal.

  The battery 61 is configured to be able to store surplus power when the power generated by the fuel cell unit 3 is greater than the power load. In addition, when the power generated by the fuel cell unit 3 is less than the power load or when the power load is sufficient for the amount of charge of the battery 61, the battery 61 is discharged and applied to a part or all of the power load. It is configured to be able to.

  The commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 is also supplied to a gas appliance 99 such as a stove outside the fuel cell system 1 other than the fuel cell unit 3 and the hot water storage unit 4 constituting the fuel cell system 1.

  Next, the operation of the fuel cell system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When starting the fuel cell 32, the raw material supply device 38 introduces the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2, adjusts the introduced commercial gas G to an amount corresponding to the generated current of the fuel cell 32, and sends it to the reformer 31. . At this time, the raw material fuel m is not introduced.

  In the reformer 31, the reformer s that is the reforming water and the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 sent from the raw material supply unit 38 are introduced, and steam reforming of the reformer s and the commercial gas G is performed. The fuel gas h rich in hydrogen is generated by the quality reaction. The steam reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction, and the heat required for the reaction is obtained by burning the combustion gas in the combustion section 31a. The generated fuel gas h is sent to the fuel electrode 32a of the fuel cell 32.

  In the fuel cell 32, power is generated by an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas h introduced into the fuel electrode 32a and the oxidant gas a introduced into the air electrode 32b by the blower 88 to generate water and heat. The fuel gas h and the oxidant gas a that have not been used for the reaction are discharged from the fuel cell 32 as an anode offgas p and a cathode offgas q, respectively. The anode off gas p is led to the combustion section 31a of the reformer 31 and burned as a combustion gas in order to obtain heat necessary for the steam reforming reaction. The current generated by the fuel cell 32 is a direct current, which is converted into an alternating current by the inverter 33 and transmitted to the power consumption meter 39. Water is generated at the air electrode 32b. When the generated water is water vapor, it is discharged after being mixed with the cathode off gas q, and when it is water droplets, it is discharged together with the cathode off gas q by the wind pressure of the oxidant gas a. The generated heat is cooled by the cooling water c flowing through the cooling water channel 32c. The cooling water c received by the cooling water flow path 32c is pumped to the heat exchanger 34 by the circulation pump 35, and is heat-exchanged with the exhaust heat water t.

  The waste heat hot water t is sampled from a portion at a lower temperature of the hot water storage tank 41 of the hot water storage unit 4 and is pumped to the heat exchanger 34 by the circulation pump 36. The exhaust heat water t that has received heat from the cooling water c by the heat exchanger 34 and has risen in temperature is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 41. The exhaust heat hot water t that has returned to the hot water storage tank 41 due to an increase in temperature is derived from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 41 toward the hot water supply load such as a mixed water tap as the consumed hot water u. The auxiliary heater 42A does not start if the temperature of the consumed hot water u derived from the hot water tank 41 is equal to or higher than the temperature required for the hot water supply load, but the temperature of the consumed hot water u derived from the hot water tank 41 requires the hot water load. If the temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature, the gas G whose flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting valve 48A is supplied to the auxiliary heater 42A, the auxiliary heater 42A is activated, and the consumed hot water u is heated to a predetermined temperature. Whether the auxiliary heater 42A is started or stopped is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 43, and the opening adjustment of the flow rate adjustment valve 48A is performed based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 44. The flow rate of the consumed hot water u derived toward the hot water supply load is measured by the consumed hot water flow meter 49A, and the measured flow rate is transmitted to the control device 9 as needed.

  On the other hand, when a heating appliance (not shown) or a reheating bath is operated, the circulating hot water w starts to circulate. When an operation such as a heating appliance or a reheating bath is stopped, the circulation of the circulating hot water w stops. . While the circulating hot water w is circulating, the gas G whose flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting valve 48B is supplied to the auxiliary heater 42B, the auxiliary heater 42B is activated, and the circulating hot water w is set to a predetermined temperature. Heat. The opening adjustment of the flow rate adjusting valve 48B is performed based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 46. The flow rate of the circulating hot water w flowing is measured by the consumption hot water flow meter 49B, and the measured flow rate is transmitted to the control device 9 as needed.

  The current transmitted from the fuel cell unit 3 to the power consumption meter 39 is transmitted toward a power load such as a light (not shown) or an electric device. When the power generated by the fuel cell unit 3 is insufficient for the required power load, the shortage of power is supplied from the commercial power supply, and the power generated by the fuel cell unit 3 and the commercial power supply are supplied. The received power E is merged and transmitted to the power load. The power transmitted to the power load is measured by the power consumption meter 39, and the measured power is transmitted to the control device 9 as needed as a signal.

  As described above, the gas G supplied from the commercial gas G and passing through the meter 2 is distributed to the fuel cell unit 3, the hot water storage unit 4, the gas appliance 99 outside the fuel cell system 1, and the like. If the power load is stable, the fuel cell unit 3 continues to operate so as to introduce a certain amount of gas and generate a certain amount of current. At this time, when the operation of the equipment using other gas is also stable, the fluctuation of the gas flow rate passing through the meter 2 is small, and the first predetermined value corresponding to the gas flow rate with the fluctuation of the gas flow rate remaining within the predetermined range. When the time elapses, the safety device of the meter 2 is activated and the supply of the gas G is cut off. As a result, the fuel cell unit 3 cannot generate power. Further, once stopped, the fuel cell unit 3 takes a considerable time from restarting to steady operation, and consumes fuel that is not used for power generation such as preheating when the fuel cell is started / stopped. When power is not generated by the fuel cell unit 3, power is supplied from a commercial power source to cover the power load. In such a case, the time required for starting up the fuel cell unit 3 and the fuel consumed are combined. Thus, the energy loss of the fuel cell system 1 increases.

  In order to avoid such an inconvenience, when the fluctuation of the flow rate of the gas G is within a predetermined range, the flow rate of a predetermined width or more is required before the safety device of the meter 2 is activated and the flow of the gas G is interrupted. The amount of the raw material fuel m corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas h generated from the reduced amount of the gas G is introduced into the reformer 31 via the raw material supply device 38. By doing so, the flow rate of the gas G passing through the meter 2 is fluctuated by a predetermined width or more, and the flow of the gas G is prevented from being blocked by the meter 2 without invalidating the protection function of the microcomputer meter. The battery 32 can be continuously operated.

  Further, the fuel cell 32 tries to continue operation as long as there is an electric power load. In order to continue the operation of the fuel cell 32, it is necessary to continuously introduce the gas G into the reformer 31, but the gas is continuously supplied to the meter 2. If the flow continues for more than the second predetermined time (30 days) without stopping for more than the third predetermined time (60 minutes), the meter 2 issues an alarm, and the gas flow must be shut off to stop the alarm. Don't be. If the time period during which the gas flow must be interrupted to stop the alarm is a time period when the power load is heavy, the generated power of the fuel cell unit 3 cannot be used and the operation efficiency is lowered. In addition, as described above, since the fuel cell takes a considerable amount of time to start and return to the steady operation once it is stopped, it is efficient if a time zone with a large power load comes to the time until the steady operation is started. A good fuel cell system 1 cannot be operated. In addition, when the time zone in which the gas flow must be shut down to stop the alarm is a time zone during which there are many hot water supply loads or hot water loads, the gas supplied to the auxiliary heaters 42A and 42B is also shut off. Therefore, it becomes impossible to raise the temperature of the consumed hot water u and the circulating hot water w to the required temperature.

  In order to avoid such an inconvenience, the fuel cell system 1 has a third predetermined time (60) after the gas G flows in the meter 2 until the second predetermined time (30 days) elapses. The raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2 is introduced into the reformer 31 in place of the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 during (min). In this way, the flow of the commercial gas G in the meter 2 is stopped for a third predetermined time (60 minutes) or longer, the meter 2 is prevented from issuing an alarm, and the fuel cell 32 can be continuously operated. ing.

  Hereinafter, the operation for avoiding these disadvantages will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the code | symbol of the structure used by the following description, FIG. 1 shall be referred suitably.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of continuously operating the fuel cell 32 while avoiding the flow of the gas G being blocked by the meter 2.
When the reformer 31 and the auxiliary heaters 42A and 42B are activated and the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 is supplied to the reformer 31, the meter 2 detects the gas flow and transmits a flow rate signal to the control device 9. To do. The control device 9 that has received the flow rate signal starts measurement for the first predetermined time (S301). As described above, the first predetermined time varies depending on the flow rate of the gas flowing through the meter 2, and the relationship between the flow rate of the gas G and the first predetermined time is illustrated in FIG. According to FIG. 2, for example, the first predetermined time when the flow rate of the gas G flowing through the meter 2 is 12 L / min is 140 minutes. According to this example, if the flow rate of the gas G flowing through the meter 2 does not fluctuate more than a predetermined width from 12 L / min, the safety device of the meter 2 is activated after 140 minutes and the flow of the gas G flowing through the meter 2 is cut off. Will be.

  When the flow rate signal cannot be directly received from the meter 2, the measurement of the first predetermined time is started based on the signal received from the gas flow meter 37 disposed upstream of the raw material supply device 38. Thus, it is possible to avoid the safety device of the meter 2 from operating due to the fuel cell unit 3. When the flow rate signal cannot be directly received from the meter 2 and the first predetermined time is to be measured more accurately, the hot water consumption flow meter 49A and the temperature detector are added to the gas flow meter 37. 43, 44 and the circulating hot water flow meter 49B and the temperature detectors 45, 46 may be received to grasp the supply status of the commercial gas G to them and start the measurement for the first predetermined time. The flow rate of the gas G passing through the meter 2 may be grasped by installing a flow meter immediately downstream of the meter 2 (before the gas G passing through the meter 2 is branched to each device).

  When the measurement for the first predetermined time is started, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation of the flow rate of the gas G that has passed through the meter 2 has exceeded a predetermined width (S302). When the change in the flow rate of the gas G is greater than or equal to the predetermined width, the process returns to the step of starting measurement for the first predetermined time (S301), and when the change in the flow rate of the gas G is not greater than the predetermined width, the process proceeds to the next step. The “predetermined width” is a fluctuation amount of the gas G flow rate necessary for interrupting the measurement of the first predetermined time during which the safety device of the meter 2 operates, and the flow rate of the gas G every certain time as described above. And the accumulated amount of the gas G is determined by whether or not the gas G flow rate has fluctuated by a certain amount or more compared to the immediately preceding accumulated amount.

  If the change in the flow rate of the gas G is not greater than the predetermined range, it is determined whether or not the remaining time until the first predetermined time elapses is 5 minutes or more (S303). If the remaining time is 5 minutes or more until the first predetermined time elapses, the process returns to the step (S302) for determining whether or not the fluctuation of the flow rate of the gas G that has passed through the meter 2 is greater than or equal to the predetermined width. When it goes to the next step.

  When the change in the flow rate of the gas G that has passed through the meter 2 from the start of the measurement for the first predetermined time is not more than a predetermined width and the remaining 5 minutes until the first predetermined time elapses, the control device 9 supplies the raw material. A signal is transmitted to the device 38, and the flow rate of the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 supplied to the reforming device 31 is decreased so that there is a fluctuation in the flow rate of the gas G that exceeds a predetermined width. An amount of raw material fuel m corresponding to the amount of generated fuel gas h is introduced into the reformer 31 via the raw material supply device 38 (S304). In this way, the flow of the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 is avoided from being interrupted, and the fuel cell 32 can be continuously operated.

When the raw material fuel m is introduced instead of the gas G so that the flow rate of the gas G exceeds the predetermined width, the process returns to the step (S301) for starting the measurement for the first predetermined time, and the same steps are repeated thereafter. The timing for returning the raw material fuel m supplied to the reformer instead of the commercial gas G to the commercial gas G again is after the measurement for the first predetermined time is interrupted and the measurement for the first predetermined time is started again. Anytime if you want.
In parallel with the above-described measure for avoiding the flow of the gas G being blocked by the meter 2, a measure for avoiding the meter 2 from issuing an alarm is also performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of continuously operating the fuel cell 32 while avoiding the meter 2 from issuing an alarm.
When the reformer 31 and the auxiliary heaters 42A and 42B are activated and the commercial gas G passing through the meter 2 is supplied to the reformer 31, the meter 2 detects the gas flow and transmits a flow rate signal to the control device 9. To do. Receiving the flow signal, the control device 9 starts measuring the second predetermined time (S401). In the present embodiment, the second predetermined time is 30 days. When the flow rate signal cannot be directly received from the meter 2, it is disposed upstream of the raw material supply device 38 as in the case of the measure for avoiding the flow of the gas G being blocked by the meter 2 described above. In addition to the gas flow meter 37 and the gas flow meter 37, a second predetermined temperature based on signals received from the consumed hot water flow meter 49A and the temperature detectors 43 and 44, and the circulating hot water flow meter 49B and the temperature detectors 45 and 46, respectively. Time measurement may be started, and a flow meter may be installed immediately downstream of the meter 2 to grasp the flow rate of the gas G that has passed through the meter 2.

  When the measurement of the second predetermined time is started, it is determined whether or not the flow of the gas G passing through the meter 2 has been continuously stopped for the third predetermined time (S402). When the operation is stopped continuously for the third predetermined time, the process returns to the step (S401) for starting the measurement of the second predetermined time, and when it is not recognized that the operation is continuously stopped for the third predetermined time, the process proceeds to the next step. . In the present embodiment, the third predetermined time is 60 minutes.

  If it is not recognized that the flow of the gas G passing through the meter 2 has continuously stopped for the third predetermined time, whether or not the remaining time until the second predetermined time (30 days) elapses is 1 hour or more Is determined (S403). In the step (S402) of determining whether or not the flow of the gas G passing through the meter 2 is continuously stopped for the third predetermined time (60 minutes) if the remaining one hour or more until the second predetermined time elapses. Return to the next step when the remaining 1 hour is reached.

  When the remaining one hour has elapsed until the second predetermined time (30 days) has elapsed, the control device 9 transmits a signal to the raw material supply device 38 and supplies the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2 to the reformer 31. Instead, the raw material fuel m is supplied to the reformer 31 for at least a third predetermined time (60 minutes) (S404). At this time, the flow of the gas G passing through the meter 2 is completely stopped.

  When the raw material fuel m is supplied to the reformer 31 instead of the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2 for the third predetermined time (60 minutes) or longer, the raw material supplied to the reformer 31 is again passed through the meter 2 You may return to gas G (S405). When the raw material fuel m is supplied instead of the commercial gas G to the reformer 31 for a third predetermined time or more and then returned to the commercial gas G that has passed the meter 2, the second predetermined time (30 days) Returning to the step of starting the measurement (S401), the same steps are repeated thereafter. In this way, the meter 2 is prevented from issuing an alarm, and the fuel cell 32 can be continuously operated.

  In the above description, the reforming method has been described as the steam reforming method, but it may be a partial oxidation reforming method or an autothermal reforming method. When the partial oxidation reforming method or the autothermal reforming method is adopted, the combustion part 31a is not necessary, and the fuel cell unit 3 can be made compact.

  In the above description, the second predetermined time is 30 days, and the third predetermined time is 60 minutes. However, it is needless to say that the second predetermined time is not limited to these.

  In the above description, the timing at which the raw material fuel m that does not pass through the meter 2 is supplied to the reformer 31 in place of the commercial gas G that has passed through the meter 2 until the second predetermined time elapses is not particularly considered. However, the use of the raw material fuel m can be suppressed to the minimum by performing the switching operation in the time zone in which the power load is minimum. Further, from the measurement result of the hot water load and the hot water load in which time zone of the day received by the control device 9 as a signal, it is expected that the time without the hot water load and the hot water load will continue for a third predetermined time or more. By performing the switching operation during a predetermined time period, the measurement for the second predetermined time can be interrupted in the minimum time. Even if the hot water storage tank 41 has a sufficient amount of heat storage even in a time zone where there is a hot water supply load, the measurement can be interrupted for the second predetermined time in the minimum time even if the switching operation is performed. In this case, the timing of switching between the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m may be determined based on the power load, the hot water supply load, and the hot water load, or only based on the power load, or based on the power load and the hot water load. The timing for switching between the commercial gas G and the raw material fuel m may be determined.

  As described above, the fuel cell system 1 according to the present embodiment avoids the flow of the gas G from being interrupted by the meter 2 without invalidating the protection function of the meter 2, and the meter 2 gives an alarm. It is possible to avoid the emission and continuously operate.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the table | surface of the relationship between the flow rate of the gas which flows through a meter, and the time required until the flow of gas interrupts | blocks. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement which operates a fuel cell continuously, avoiding that the flow of gas is interrupted | blocked by a meter. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement which avoids issuing a warning from a meter and operates a fuel cell continuously.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell system 2 Meter 31 Reformer 32 Fuel cell 38 Raw material supply device 130 Fuel cell front system G Commercial gas m Raw material fuel h Fuel gas

Claims (5)

A commercial gas that has passed a meter that has a function of blocking the flow of gas when a predetermined flow rate of gas flows for a certain period of time or a raw material fuel that does not pass through the meter is introduced to reform the commercial gas and the raw material fuel. A reformer that produces hydrogen-rich fuel gas;
A raw material supply device that supplies the reformer with the commercial gas and raw material fuel, and passes through the meter before a first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas that has passed through the meter. When the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas is within a predetermined range, the raw material that supplies the raw material fuel to the reformer instead of the commercial gas so that the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined width A supply device;
Fuel cell front system. Instead of the raw material supply device, a raw material supply device that supplies the commercial gas and raw material fuel to the reformer until a first predetermined time corresponding to the flow rate of the commercial gas that has passed through the meter has elapsed. When the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas introduced into the reformer during the period is within a predetermined range, the commercial gas is changed to the commercial gas so that the fluctuation of the flow rate of the commercial gas is not less than the predetermined width. A raw material supply device for supplying raw material fuel to the reformer;
The fuel cell front system according to claim 1. A commercial gas that has passed a meter that issues an alarm when gas continues to flow for a second predetermined time and a raw material fuel that does not pass through the meter are introduced, and the commercial gas and the raw material fuel are reformed to produce a fuel gas rich in hydrogen. A reformer to produce;
A raw material supply apparatus for supplying the commercial gas and raw material fuel to the reformer, wherein the commercial gas is supplied to the meter until a second predetermined time elapses after the commercial gas flows in the meter. A raw material supply device that supplies the raw material fuel to the reformer instead of the commercial gas for a third predetermined time when
Fuel cell front system. Instead of the raw material supply device, the raw material supply device supplies the commercial gas and the raw material fuel to the reformer, and a second predetermined time elapses after the commercial gas flows in the reformer. A raw material supply device for supplying the raw material fuel to the reforming device instead of the commercial gas for a third predetermined time when the commercial gas continues to flow into the reforming device until
The fuel cell front system according to claim 3. A fuel cell front system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and
A fuel cell that introduces the fuel gas and generates power by an electrochemical reaction;
Fuel cell system.

Images