JP2007115459A - Household power generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a household power generation system which can be simply installed, safely handling the fuel for power generation used for a fuel cell device at every household. <P>SOLUTION: The household power generation system is composed of a fuel storing device 11 for storing fuel installed on a site on which respective houses 14 are built, a fuel supply control part 20 for controlling fuel supply from the fuel storing device 11, and a fuel cell device 13 to which the fuel is supplied under a control the fuel supply control part 20, and the power generated at the fuel cell device 13 is supplied to various electric apparatuses installed in the house 14 through a power distribution control apparatus 31 under control of a control device 30. The fuel storing device 11 has an underground tank 16 storing the fuel embedded under the ground of the site 1, and the fuel supply control part 20 has an emergency shut-off valve 25 shutting off fuel supply from the underground tank 16 and sensors for security. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-house power generation system that can supply power generated by a fuel cell device to power equipment for general households.

In response to recent environmental problems, it has been proposed to save electric power supplied from commercial power sources to ordinary homes. Correspondingly, it has been studied to make it possible to use electric power generated in units of households using a fuel cell device using liquid fuel or the like. In connection with this fuel cell apparatus, the present applicant has proposed a technique relating to a fuel cell vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-27476 (pages 3 to 4, FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In an ordinary household, when it is intended to use electric power generated by the fuel cell device, it is necessary to provide each household with a fuel tank for storing fuel such as methanol and gasoline. Since such a fuel tank stores a predetermined amount of fuel required for power generation inside, there is a risk that the fuel leaks and there is a risk of explosion or fire, or rainwater or the like enters the tank. Moreover, in order to prepare for each household, it was necessary to be able to install easily.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a private power generation system that can safely handle fuel used for power generation by a fuel cell device for each household and can be easily installed. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, a fuel storage device for storing fuel arranged on a site where each house is constructed, and a fuel storage device of this fuel storage device A fuel supply control unit for controlling the supply, and a fuel cell device to which fuel is supplied under the control of the fuel supply control unit, and the electric power generated by the fuel cell device controls the control device. In the private power generation system that is originally supplied to various power devices provided in the house via a power distribution controller, the fuel storage device is a basement that stores fuel buried in the basement of the site. The fuel supply control unit includes an emergency shut-off valve that shuts off the fuel supply from the underground tank and sensors for ensuring safety. By burying an underground tank for each household, the fuel used for power generation by the fuel cell device can be handled safely and can be easily installed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notification device that notifies based on signals from the sensors of the fuel supply control unit under the control of the control device, and the notification by the notification device Simultaneously, an external management center is notified via the communication unit. By notifying an external management center via a communication unit based on signals from sensors using a notification device, safety and maintenance can be secured immediately.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the underground tank is housed in an outer shell unit formed in a box shape embedded in the basement of the site and having an open upper side, and a box having an upper side opened. It has a structure provided with a lid that is formed in a mold and covers the upper opening. Unitization of the underground tank facilitates transportation and installation.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the underground tank has a cylindrical cylindrical double-shell structure embedded underground in the site. Unitization of the underground tank facilitates transportation and installation.

  In the invention described in claim 5, a hot water heater is provided for storing hot water after cooling of heat generated when the fuel cell device generates power, and the hot water is supplied to the equipment in the house. It is what. Heat generated during power generation of the fuel cell device can be removed and hot water can be generated and used.

  In the present invention, a fuel storage device for storing fuel disposed on a site where each house is constructed, a fuel supply control unit for controlling the fuel supply of the fuel storage device, and the fuel supply A fuel cell device to which fuel is supplied under the control of the control unit, and the electric power generated by the fuel cell device is provided in the house via the power distribution controller under the control of the control device. In the private power generation system supplied to various power devices, the fuel storage device has an underground tank that stores fuel buried underground in the site, and the fuel supply control unit supplies fuel from the underground tank. Because it has an emergency shut-off valve to shut off and sensors to ensure safety, it is possible to safely handle the fuel used for power generation by the fuel cell device by burying an underground tank in each household. With, the installation can also be easy.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to an illustrated embodiment. 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a private power generation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a private power generation system. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control configuration of the private power generation system. is there.

  In these drawings, a private power generation system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel storage device 11 for storing fuel disposed on a site 1 where each house 14 is constructed, and the fuel storage device 11. A fuel supply control unit 20 for controlling the fuel supply of the fuel and a fuel cell device 12 to which fuel is supplied under the control of the fuel supply control unit 20. The fuel cell device 12 generates electric power. Electric power is supplied to various power devices provided in the house 14 through the power distribution controller 31 under the control of the control device 30, and after the heat generated during the power generation of the fuel cell device 12 is cooled. Hot water is supplied to the water heater 13. The hot water of the water heater 13 is used in the house 14.

  In the fuel storage device 11, an outer shell unit 15 formed in a box shape whose upper side is opened in the basement of the site 1 is embedded, and a box-shaped underground tank 16 whose upper side is similarly opened in the outer shell unit 15. And a cover 17 for covering the upper openings of the outer shell unit 15 and the underground tank 16 with the upper surface of the site 1 is provided. As the fuel tank composed of the outer shell unit 15, the underground tank 16 and the lid 17, for example, one unitized in a size capable of storing about 1 K liter of liquid fuel is used. The fuel storage device 11 is provided with an oil supply pipe 18 having an oil supply port at the upper end for pouring liquid fuel into the underground tank 16 through the lid 17, and the lower end is communicated with the upper space of the underground tank 16 and the upper end. A ventilation pipe 19 whose side is opened in the upper space of the site 1 is provided. The fuel storage device 11 includes an oil level gauge 21 for detecting the liquid level of the underground tank 16, a water detection sensor 22 for detecting rainwater that may enter the underground tank 16, and the like. A leakage sensor 26 for detecting leakage of liquid fuel is provided between the shell unit 15 and the underground tank 16 on the bottom side, and a fuel supply pump 23 for pumping the liquid fuel in the underground tank 16 through a pipe is provided. . In the middle of the piping on the discharge port side of the fuel supply pump 23, a flow meter 24 for measuring the flow rate of the supplied liquid fuel and an emergency shutoff valve 25 for blocking the flow of the liquid fuel in an emergency are provided. The upper part of the oil inlet 18 of the oil inlet 18, the upper end of the oil level gauge 21 and the water detection sensor 22, the fuel supply pump 23, the flow meter 24, and the emergency shutoff valve 25 are protected on the upper side of the lid 17. Covered by a cover 42. A seismic sensor 27 for detecting the occurrence of an earthquake is provided in the protective cover 42. The fuel supply pump 23, the flow meter 24, the emergency shutoff valve 25, the oil level gauge 21, the water detection sensor 22, the leakage sensor 26, and the seismic sensor 27 are controlled by a control device 30 to be described later. The control unit 20 is configured.

  The fuel cell device 12 is supplied from a fuel supply pump 23 of the fuel supply control unit 20 through a pipe. For example, liquid fuel such as methanol or gasoline is reformed by a reformer and converted into hydrogen. Electricity is generated by the combination of supplied hydrogen and oxygen in the air supplied from an air supply source provided separately. The hot water after cooling the heat generated during the generation of electricity is sent to the water heater 13 as will be described later. A control device 30 is provided in the vicinity of the fuel cell device 12.

  The fuel cell device 12 is connected to a power distribution controller 31 provided in the house 14 via a power supply wiring 28 and supplied with power, and is connected to a hot water heater 13 disposed on the outdoor site 1 by piping. It is connected to supply hot water. The power distribution controller 31 is a part that distributes and controls the supply of power to various power devices provided in the house 14. Moreover, the water heater 13 is a part which supplies the hot water in the house 14 to the required apparatus. That is, power is supplied from the power distribution controller 31 to the lighting lamp 32, the television 33, the air conditioner 34, the refrigerator 35, etc. provided in the house 14, and the hot water in the water heater 13 passes through the pipe 29 to the kitchen equipment 36 and It is supplied to the bathtub 37. In addition, a notification device 38 is provided at a predetermined location in the house 14 for notification by control of the control device 30 based on a signal from the fuel supply control unit 20 or the like. The alarm device 38 displays the amount of liquid fuel in the fuel tank 16 during normal operation based on a signal from the oil level gauge, and performs notification based on signals from sensors related to safety. In addition, an operation panel 39 for performing necessary operations of the respective units is provided in the vicinity of the notification device 38.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 30 receives signals from the operation panel 39, the oil level gauge 21, the water detection sensor 22, the leakage sensor 26 and the seismic sensor 27, and receives the fuel supply pump 23, the flow meter 24, While controlling the operation of the notification device 38, the power distribution controller 31, and the emergency shut-off valve 35, when necessary for safety notification, necessary information is transmitted to the external management center 41 via the communication unit 40. It has become so.

  In the private power generation system 10 configured as described above, liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel cell device 12 from the fuel storage device 11 disposed in the site 1 where each house 14 is constructed, and the fuel cell device 12 generates power. Electric power is supplied to the lamp 32, the television 33, the air conditioner 34, the refrigerator 35, and the like that are provided in the house 14 through the power distribution controller 31 under the control of the control device 30. The hot water supplied to the outdoor water heater 13 is stored, and the hot water is supplied to the kitchen equipment 36 and the bathtub 37 through the pipe 29. The fuel storage device 11 has a structure in which a box-shaped underground tank 16 is housed in a box-shaped outer shell unit 15 and a lid 17 is provided on the upper portion, so that the structure is simple and the size can be reduced. It becomes possible to embed it in the basement, and it is easy to embed it in the basement, so that safety can be ensured as compared with the case where it is arranged at the upper part of the site 1. Further, since the water storage sensor 22 is provided in the fuel storage device 11, it is possible to detect rainwater or the like that may enter the underground tank 16, and the leakage sensor 26 detects leakage of liquid fuel. The risk of fire can be prevented, and liquid fuel can be handled safely by detecting the earthquake with the seismic sensor 27 and stopping the fuel supply pump 23 or closing the emergency shutoff valve 35. , Can ensure safety. When an emergency notification situation occurs, a necessary measure can be taken by reporting to the management center 41 via the communication unit 40 under the control of the control device 30. In such a private power generation system 10, a fee is paid according to the amount of fuel oil used measured by the flow meter 24, or the amount of fuel oil injected from the outside to the underground tank 16 of the fuel storage device 11 is measured. You can pay the fee accordingly.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the private power generation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that portions and members corresponding to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The private power generation system 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the fuel storage device 51 buried underground. That is, an underground tank 52 having a double shell structure is embedded on a bottom plate 53 provided in the basement of the site 1, and is similarly communicated with the upper space of the underground tank 52, and the upper end side is opened in the upper space of the site 1. A vent pipe 54 is provided. The underground tank 52 has a cylindrical cylindrical double shell structure made of a plastic material, for example, and is formed to a size capable of storing about 1 K liter of liquid fuel. Further, as in the first embodiment, the fuel storage device 51 includes an oil level gauge 21 for detecting the liquid level, and a water detection sensor 22 for detecting rainwater that may enter the underground tank 52. And a fuel supply pump 23 for pumping the liquid fuel in the underground tank 52 through a pipe. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The in-house power generation system 50 configured as described above can safely handle the liquid fuel used for power generation by the fuel cell device 12 for each household as in the first embodiment, and particularly has a double shell structure. Since the underground tank 52 is embedded in the site 1, it is possible to reliably prevent leakage of liquid fuel and the like, and to ensure safety, and it is possible to reduce the size and unit.

  In the above embodiments, the size and shape of the underground tanks 16 and 52 can be arbitrarily formed, and sensors can be arbitrarily employed as necessary, and are not limited to the embodiments.

  It can be used in a private power generation system that can supply power generated by the fuel cell device to power equipment for general households.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the private power generation system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the control composition of the private power generation system of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the private power generation system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Site 10 Private power generation system 11 Fuel storage apparatus 12 Fuel cell apparatus 13 Water heater 14 House 15 Outer shell unit 16 Underground tank 17 Lid 18 Oil supply pipe 19 Ventilation pipe 20 Fuel supply control part 21 Oil level gauge 22 Water detection sensor 23 Fuel supply Pump 24 Flow meter 25 Emergency shutoff valve 26 Leak sensor 27 Seismic sensor 28 Power supply wiring 29 Piping 30 Controller 31 Power distribution controller 32 Lamp 33 Television 34 Air conditioning unit 35 Refrigerator 36 Kitchen equipment 37 Bathtub 38 Alarm 39 Operation panel 40 Communication unit 41 Management center 42 Protective cover 50 Private power generation system 51 Fuel storage device 52 Underground tank 53 Bottom plate 54 Vent pipe

Claims (5)

A fuel storage device for storing fuel arranged on the site where each house is constructed, a fuel supply control unit for controlling the supply of fuel in the fuel storage device, and a control of the fuel supply control unit A fuel cell device to which fuel is supplied, and the power generated by the fuel cell device is provided in the house via a power distribution controller under the control of the control device. In-house power generation system supplied to power equipment
The fuel storage device includes an underground tank that stores fuel buried underground in the site, and the fuel supply control unit secures an emergency shutoff valve that shuts off fuel supply from the underground tank and safety. A private power generation system characterized by having sensors for the purpose. A notification device is provided for notification based on signals from sensors of the fuel supply control unit under the control of the control device, and at the same time when notification by the notification device is made to an external management center via the communication unit The private power generation system according to claim 1, wherein notification is performed. The underground tank is housed in an outer shell unit formed in a box shape with the upper side opened in the basement of the site, and is formed into a box shape with the upper side opened, and a lid that covers the upper opening The in-house power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising: The private power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the underground tank has a cylindrical cylindrical double-shell structure embedded in the underground of the site. 2. The private power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a hot water heater that stores hot water after cooling of heat generated during power generation of the fuel cell device, and the hot water is supplied to a device in a house.

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