JP2010212141A - Fuel cell generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell generator which, in a case where the reforming gas generated by a reformer is used for both power generation by a fuel cell body and hydrogen purification in a hydrogen purifying device, can prevent shortage of reforming gas in the other device even when a consumption amount of reforming gas in one device increases. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell generator 10 includes: the reformer 1 for generating the reforming gas by steam reforming reaction of raw fuel mixed with steam and supplied; the fuel cell body 2 for generating power by electrochemical reaction between the reforming gas generated by the reformer 1 and air; a hydrogen purifying device 6 for purifying the reforming gas generated by the reformer 1 into highly-pure hydrogen; and a control device 7 for controlling a raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1 based on a sum value of a reforming gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell body 2 and a reforming gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifying device 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell power generator that uses reformed gas generated by a reformer for both power generation in a fuel cell main body and hydrogen purification in a hydrogen purifier.

  In recent years, a fuel cell power generation apparatus that performs power generation for electricity use and also performs hydrogen purification for hydrogen use has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  This fuel cell power generator mainly includes a reformer that generates a reformed gas having a high hydrogen concentration by a steam reforming reaction of raw fuel mixed with steam and supplied, and a reformer generated by the reformer. The fuel cell body is configured to generate power by an electrochemical reaction between gas and air, and a hydrogen purifier that purifies the reformed gas generated by the reformer into high-purity hydrogen.

  That is, in this fuel cell power generation device, the reformed gas generated in the reformer is used in combination with the power generation in the fuel cell main body and the hydrogen purification in the hydrogen purification device to generate power and perform hydrogen purification.

JP 2000-348750 A JP-A-61-101970 JP 2004-186122 A

  However, when the reformed gas generated in the reformer is used for both power generation in the fuel cell main body and hydrogen purification in the hydrogen purifier as in the fuel cell power generator described above, consumption of the reformed gas in the hydrogen purifier When the amount increases, there is a problem that the reformed gas necessary for power generation in the fuel cell body is insufficient, and the electrodes and components of the fuel cell body are damaged.

  On the other hand, in the fuel cell power generator described above, when the consumption of reformed gas in the fuel cell main body increases, the reformed gas necessary for hydrogen purification in the hydrogen purifier is insufficient, and the hydrogen purified by the hydrogen purifier There was a problem that purity decreased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when the reformed gas generated by the reformer is used for both power generation in the fuel cell main body and hydrogen purification in the hydrogen purification apparatus, either one of the apparatuses An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generator that can prevent the shortage of reformed gas in the other device even if the amount of reformed gas consumption increases.

  The fuel cell power generator of the present invention includes a reformer that generates a reformed gas by a steam reforming reaction of raw fuel that is mixed with steam and supplied, and the reformed gas and air generated by the reformer. A fuel cell main body that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction, a hydrogen purifier that purifies the reformed gas generated in the reformer into high-purity hydrogen, a reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body, Control means for controlling the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer based on the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier.

  According to this configuration, the control means determines the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer from the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell body and the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier. Calculate backwards. For this reason, the reformer can generate the total reformed gas flow rate required by both devices even if the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body or the hydrogen purifier changes. Therefore, even if the consumption amount of the reformed gas in one of the fuel cell main body and the hydrogen purifier increases, it is possible to prevent the necessary reformed gas from being insufficient in the other device.

  Further, in the fuel cell power generator according to the present invention, the control means includes the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body and the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier. And the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer is controlled based on the temperature of the catalyst layer of the reformer.

  According to this configuration, the control means corrects the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer according to the temperature of the catalyst layer of the reformer. Therefore, when the temperature of the catalyst layer of the reformer is lower than a predetermined set temperature, the hydrogen concentration of the reformed gas generated in the reformer is increased by increasing the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer. Can be prevented from decreasing. In addition, when the temperature of the catalyst layer of the reformer is higher than a predetermined set temperature, the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer is reduced to lower the temperature of the catalyst layer, thereby It is possible to prevent deformation, damage and damage to the catalyst of the metal structural member.

  In the fuel cell power generator according to the present invention, the control unit may mix the raw fuel with the raw fuel based on the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer and a predetermined constant. The water vapor flow rate supplied to the vessel is controlled.

  According to this configuration, even when the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer is sequentially controlled, the control unit controls the steam flow rate corresponding to the raw fuel flow rate to be supplied to the reformer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the quality of the generated reformed gas from deteriorating due to the lack of the steam flow rate relative to the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer.

  According to the present invention, when the reformed gas generated in the reformer is used in combination with the power generation in the fuel cell main body and the hydrogen purification in the hydrogen purifier, the consumption of the reformed gas in either one of the devices increases. Even so, the shortage of the reformed gas in the other apparatus can be prevented.

1 is a schematic view of a fuel cell power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which calculates the raw fuel flow volume supplied to a reformer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which calculates the steam flow rate supplied to a reformer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the fuel cell electric power generating apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which calculates the raw fuel flow volume supplied to a reformer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a reformer 1, a fuel cell body 2, a water vapor separator 3, a cooling water circulation pump 4, a compressor 5, a hydrogen purifier 6, and a controller 7 ( Control means). Various devices constituting the combustion battery power generation apparatus 10 are connected by various pipes such as a raw fuel supply system 11, a fuel gas supply system 12, a hydrogen purification system 13, a cooling water circulation system 14, and a steam supply system 15. .

  The reformer 1 generates a reformed gas having a high hydrogen concentration by a steam reforming reaction of raw fuel that is supplied after being mixed with steam. The reformer 1 supplies the generated reformed gas to the fuel electrode 2 a of the fuel cell main body 2 and also supplies it to the hydrogen purifier 6 via the compressor 5.

  Specifically, the reformer 1 is provided with a reforming catalyst layer 1a (catalyst layer) and a reformer burner 1b. In the reforming catalyst layer 1a, a raw fuel composed of a hydrocarbon compound such as city gas, LPG, natural gas, and methanol is mixed with water vapor supplied from the water vapor separator 3 and passed through the raw fuel supply system 11. Supplied.

  In the reforming catalyst layer 1a heated by the combustion of the reformer burner 1b, reforming composed of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide is performed by the steam reforming reaction of the raw fuel mixed with the steam and supplied. Gas is generated. The reformed gas generated in the reforming catalyst layer 1a is about 60% of hydrogen concentration and about 20% of carbon dioxide (the balance is water vapor, methane, and a small amount of carbon monoxide) in a carbon monoxide converter (not shown). ) And is supplied to the fuel electrode 2a of the fuel cell body 2 through the fuel gas supply system 12. The reformed gas generated in the reforming catalyst layer 1 a is also supplied to the hydrogen purifier 6 through the compressor 5 through the hydrogen purifying system 13 branched from the fuel gas supply system 12.

  The reformer burner 1b discharges the fuel electrode off-gas containing flammable components such as residual hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and the like from the fuel electrode 2a of the fuel cell main body 2 and the residual gas from the hydrogen purifier 6. Is discharged. The reformer burner 1b burns the fuel electrode off-gas from the fuel electrode 2a, the residual gas from the hydrogen purifier 6, and combustion air supplied by a combustion air blower (not shown), thereby forming a reforming catalyst layer. Heat 1a.

  The fuel cell main body 2 is configured to stack single cells formed of a fuel electrode 2a and an air electrode 2b, and reformed supplied from the reformer 1 to the fuel electrode 2a through the fuel gas supply system 12. Electricity is generated and heat is generated by an electrochemical reaction between the gas and the air supplied to the air electrode 2b.

  Further, the fuel cell main body 2 is configured to provide a cooling plate 2c in which the cooling water circulation system 14 is incorporated every time a plurality of the above-described single cells are stacked, and the cooling water circulating through the cooling water circulation system 14 is used. Then, the fuel cell body 2 is cooled to maintain the fuel cell body 2 at a constant temperature. The fuel cell body 2 may be any one of a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a solid polymer fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell, and the like.

  When the amount of heat recovered by the cooling plate 2c incorporated in the fuel cell body 2 is compared with the amount of heat necessary for generating water vapor to be input to the reformer 1, the amount of heat recovered by the cooling plate 2c is larger. A heat exchanger that removes the steam necessary for the reforming reaction from the steam separator 3 maintained in a saturated (temperature / pressure) state via the flow rate control valve FV-2, and then dissipates excess heat is provided as follows: It is not shown in the figure. The steam separator 3 and the cooling water circulation system 14 are maintained at a constant pressure by the heat exchanger. By keeping the steam separator 3 and the cooling water circulation system 14 in a saturated state, the temperature can be kept constant if the pressure is constant. The water vapor separated by the water vapor separator 3 is supplied to the raw fuel supply system 11 through the water vapor supply system 15 and mixed with the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1.

  Here, when the fuel cell body 2 is a phosphoric acid fuel cell having a reaction temperature of 180 to 200 ° C., the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circulation system 14 is generated by the heat obtained by cooling the fuel cell body 2. Steaming. In this case, the generated steam is directly mixed with the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1.

  When the fuel cell body 2 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a reaction temperature of about 80 ° C., the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circulation system 14 is heated by the heat obtained by cooling the fuel cell body 2. Turn into. In this case, the steam generated by further heating the warmed cooling water is mixed with the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1.

  When the fuel cell body 2 is a high-temperature fuel cell such as a molten carbonate fuel cell having a reaction temperature of about 600 ° C. or a solid oxide fuel cell having a reaction temperature of about 1000 ° C., the fuel cell body 2 is The cooling gas is heated not by the cooling water but by the cooling gas that is a gas fluid such as air, and the cooling gas is heated by the heat obtained by cooling the fuel cell body 2. In this case, the water vapor generated by heat exchange between the cooling gas and water having a high temperature is mixed with the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1.

  The cooling water circulation pump 4 supplies the cooling water separated from the water vapor by the water vapor separator 3 to the cooling plate 2 c of the fuel cell main body 2 through the cooling water circulation system 14 for cooling the fuel cell main body 2.

  The compressor 5 pressurizes the reformed gas supplied from the reformer 1 and supplies it to the hydrogen purification device 6 through the hydrogen purification system 13.

  The hydrogen purifier 6 purifies the reformed gas pressurized by the compressor 5 to high purity hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen purifier 6 is a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus that adsorbs and separates hydrogen gas from reformed gas by filling a plurality of containers with adsorbents such as activated carbon and zeolite and changing the pressure. Alternatively, it may be a membrane separation device having selective permeability that selectively permeates hydrogen gas. The high-purity hydrogen produced in the hydrogen purifier 6 is pressurized and used to drive power or power for automobiles, as well as raw materials, atmospheric gases, etc. in semiconductor manufacturing, metal refining, oil and fat manufacturing, oil and chemical industries, etc. Used as fuel to get.

  The hydrogen purifier 6 supplies the residual gas from which the hydrogen gas has been separated to the reformer burner 1b of the reformer 1. Such residual gas is composed of hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide combustible components, carbon dioxide and water vapor, and is used for combustion in the reformer burner 1b.

  The control device 7 controls the flow rate control valves FV-1 and FV-2 based on the measurement values measured by the flow meters F1 to F4. The raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a and the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b It comprises.

  Here, the flow meter F <b> 1 is provided in the raw fuel supply system 11 and measures the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1. The flow meter F <b> 2 is provided in the steam supply system 15, and measures the steam flow rate mixed with the raw fuel and supplied to the reformer 1. The flow meter F3 is provided in the fuel gas supply system 12, and measures the flow rate of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel electrode 2a of the fuel cell main body 2. The flow meter F <b> 4 is provided in the hydrogen purification system 13 branched from the fuel gas supply system 12, and measures the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purification device 6 via the compressor 5. The flow rate adjustment valve FV-1 is provided in the raw fuel supply system 11 and opens and closes based on an instruction from the control device 7. The flow rate adjustment valve FV-2 is provided in the water vapor supply system 15 and opens and closes based on an instruction from the control device 7.

  The raw fuel flow rate controller 7 a is supplied to the reformer 1 based on the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body 2 and the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier 6. Control raw fuel flow.

  Specifically, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a modifies from the total value of the reformed gas flow rate for power generation measured by the flow meter F3 and the reformed gas flow rate for hydrogen purification measured by the flow meter F4. The target raw fuel flow rate to be supplied to the mass device 1 is calculated backward. Note that when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a is constant, the reformed gas flow rate generated from the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1 is constant, and thus the above reverse calculation is possible.

  Further, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a adjusts the opening / closing amount of the flow rate control valve FV-1 so that the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1 matches the calculated target raw fuel flow rate. For example, PID control is used to adjust the opening / closing amount.

  The steam flow rate control unit 7b controls the steam flow rate mixed with the raw fuel and supplied to the reformer 1 based on the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1 and a predetermined constant.

  Specifically, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b calculates a target water vapor flow rate by multiplying the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1 by a predetermined constant. The water vapor flow rate controller 7b adjusts the opening / closing amount of the flow rate control valve FV-2 so that the water vapor flow rate measured by the flow meter F2 matches the calculated target water vapor amount. For example, PID control is used to adjust the opening / closing amount.

  Here, for example, the number of carbon atoms determined by the composition of the raw fuel and a set value of S / C (steam / carbon ratio) are used as the predetermined constant. S / C is the ratio of the number of water vapor molecules to the total number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon compound constituting the raw fuel. For example, 3.0 is set.

  Next, in the fuel cell power generation apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, an operation for controlling the raw fuel flow rate and the water vapor flow rate using PID control will be described. PID control is a control method for determining MV (operation amount) so that PV (current value) matches SV (target value).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control operation of the raw fuel flow rate in the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a. The raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a repeats the following operation at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S11, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a measures the reformed gas flow rate for power generation measured by the flow meter F3, the reformed gas flow rate for hydrogen purification measured by the flow meter F4, and the flow meter F1. The obtained raw fuel flow rate is obtained.

  In step S12, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a calculates the total value of the reformed gas flow rate for power generation measured by the flow meter F3 and the reformed gas flow rate for hydrogen purification measured by the flow meter F4.

  In step S13, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a calculates a target raw fuel flow rate to be supplied to the reformer 1 from the total value of the reformed gas flow rates calculated in step S12.

  In step S14, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a sets PV as the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1, SV as the target raw fuel flow rate calculated in step S13, and MV as the opening / closing operation of the flow rate control valve FV-1. , PID control is performed. Specifically, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a sets the open / close amount MV of the flow rate control valve FV-1 so that the raw fuel flow rate PV measured by the flow meter F1 matches the calculated target raw fuel flow rate SV. Then, the opening / closing amount of the flow control valve FV-1 is adjusted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a water vapor flow rate control operation in the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b. The water vapor flow rate control unit 7b repeats the following operation at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S21, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b acquires the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1 and the water vapor flow rate measured by the flow meter F2.

  In step S22, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b multiplies the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1 by a constant 1 that is the number of carbon atoms determined by the raw fuel composition.

  In step S23, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b calculates the target water vapor flow rate by multiplying the multiplication value in step 22 by the constant 2 that is the S / C set value.

  In step S24, the water vapor flow rate controller 7b performs PID control using PV as the water vapor flow rate measured by the flow meter F2, SV as the target water vapor amount calculated in step S23, and MV as the opening / closing amount of the flow rate control valve FV-2. I do. Specifically, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b determines the opening / closing amount MV of the flow rate control valve FV-2 so that the calculated water vapor flow rate PV measured by the flow meter F2 matches the target water vapor amount SV. The opening / closing amount of the flow control valve FV-2 is adjusted.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a is supplied to the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body 2 and the hydrogen purification device 6. Control is performed so that the target raw fuel flow rate calculated backward from the total value of the reformed gas flow rate is supplied to the reformer 1. For this reason, the reformer 1 can generate the total reformed gas flow rate required by both devices even if the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell body 2 or the hydrogen purifier 6 changes. it can.

  Therefore, even if the consumption amount of the reformed gas in one of the fuel cell main body 2 and the hydrogen purifier 6 is increased, it is possible to prevent the necessary reformed gas from being insufficient in the other device. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrodes and components of the fuel cell main body 2 from being damaged due to the shortage of the necessary reformed gas, and the purity of the hydrogen purified by the hydrogen purifier 6 can be prevented.

  Further, according to the fuel cell power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment, even when the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1 is sequentially controlled, the water vapor flow rate control unit 7b responds to the raw fuel flow rate. A steam flow rate is supplied to the reformer 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the quality of the generated reformed gas from deteriorating due to the lack of the steam flow rate relative to the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer 1.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell power generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the fuel cell power generator according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In the fuel cell power generator 20 according to the second embodiment, the reformer 1 includes a thermometer T5 that measures the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a.

  Further, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a includes a thermometer in addition to the total value of the reformed gas flow rate for power generation measured by the flow meter F3 and the reformed gas flow rate for hydrogen purification measured by the flow meter F4. Based on the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured at T5, the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1 is controlled.

  Specifically, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a should be supplied to the reformer 1 from the total value of the reformed gas flow rates measured by the flow meters F3 and F4 as described in the first embodiment. Back-calculate the target raw fuel flow rate. Further, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a corrects the calculated target raw fuel flow rate according to the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured by the thermometer T5. The raw fuel flow rate controller 7a adjusts the opening / closing amount of the flow rate adjustment valve FV-1 so that the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1 matches the corrected target raw fuel flow rate.

  Here, the correction of the target raw fuel flow rate according to the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a will be described in detail. The raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a increases the target raw fuel flow rate when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured by the thermometer T5 is lower than a predetermined set temperature. This is because when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a is lower than a predetermined set temperature (for example, 700 to 800 ° C. when city gas is supplied as the raw fuel), Since the conversion efficiency from the contained hydrocarbon compound to hydrogen decreases, in order to obtain a reformed gas having the same hydrogen concentration as the predetermined set temperature, a raw fuel flow rate higher than the raw fuel flow rate at the predetermined set temperature is required. Because it is needed.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured by the thermometer T5 is higher than a predetermined set temperature, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a decreases the target raw fuel flow rate. This is because when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a is higher than a predetermined set temperature, the metal structural member of the reformer 1 may be deformed or damaged, or the catalyst may be damaged. This is because it is preferable to reduce the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a.

  Next, an operation of controlling the raw fuel flow rate using PID control in the fuel cell power generation device 20 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control operation of the raw fuel flow rate in the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a. The raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a repeats the following operation at a predetermined cycle. Further, steps S31 to S33 in FIG. 5 are the same processes as steps S11 to S13 in FIG.

  In step S34, the raw fuel flow control unit 7a acquires the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured by the thermometer T5.

  In step S35, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a uses PV as the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a measured by the thermometer T5, and a predetermined set temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a (for example, city gas is supplied as raw fuel). In this case, 700 to 800 ° C.) is set as SV and PID control is performed. Specifically, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a calculates a PID control output of the temperature deviation of the temperature PV measured by the thermometer T5 with respect to a predetermined set temperature SV of the reforming catalyst layer 1a.

  In step S36, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a calculates the correction amount from the PID control output of the temperature deviation of the temperature PV measured by the thermometer T5 with respect to the set temperature SV of the reforming catalyst layer 1a.

  In step S37, the raw fuel flow rate controller 7a adds the correction amount calculated in step S36 to the target raw fuel flow rate calculated in step S33.

  In step S38, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a sets PV as the raw fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter F1, SV as the target raw fuel flow rate corrected in step S37, and MV as the opening / closing amount of the flow rate control valve FV-1. , PID control is performed. Specifically, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a sets the opening / closing amount MV of the flow rate control valve FV-1 so that the raw fuel flow rate PV measured by the flow meter F1 matches the corrected target raw fuel flow rate SV. Then, the opening / closing amount of the flow control valve FV-1 is adjusted.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell power generation device 20 according to the second embodiment, the raw fuel flow rate control unit 7a is supplied to the reformer 1 according to the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a. Correct the flow rate.

  Therefore, when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a is lower than a predetermined set temperature, the hydrogen of reformed gas generated in the reformer 1 is increased by increasing the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1. It is possible to prevent the concentration from decreasing. As a result, the shortage of hydrogen contained in the reformed gas prevents the electrodes and components of the fuel cell main body 2 from being damaged and the purity of the hydrogen purified by the hydrogen purifier 6 from being reduced. be able to. The case where the temperature of the above-described reforming catalyst layer 1a is lower than a predetermined set temperature is, for example, the following case. In the load increase or the like in the fuel cell main body 2 or the hydrogen purifier 6, the raw fuel flow rate and the reforming steam flow rate are increased in order to increase the production amount of the reformed gas. The endothermic amount of the layer 1a increases. Although the heat capacities of the reforming catalyst layer 1a and the metal structural member are large, the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a falls below a predetermined set temperature due to an increase in the amount of heat absorbed. Furthermore, since there is a time lag before the increase in the fuel electrode off gas from the fuel electrode 2a serving as the combustion fuel of the reformer burner 1b reaches the reformer burner 1b, the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a decreases. The trend continues.

  Further, when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a is higher than a predetermined set temperature, the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 1 is reduced to lower the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 1a, thereby improving the reforming catalyst layer 1a. It is possible to prevent deformation and damage of the metal structural member of the mass device 1 and damage to the catalyst. In addition, the case where the temperature of the above-mentioned reforming catalyst layer 1a is higher than a predetermined set temperature is, for example, the following case. In the load reduction or the like in the fuel cell main body 2 or the hydrogen purifier 6, the raw fuel flow rate and the reforming steam flow rate are reduced. However, since the heat capacity of the reforming catalyst layer 1 a and the metal structural member is large, the fuel from the fuel electrode 2 a Even after the amount of the extreme off gas decreases with a time delay, the reforming catalyst layer 1a maintains a temperature higher than a predetermined set temperature for a while.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reformer 1a ... Reformation catalyst layer 1b ... Reformer burner 2 ... Fuel cell main body 2a ... Fuel electrode 2b ... Air electrode 2c ... Cooling plate 3 ... Steam separator 4 ... Cooling water circulation pump 5 ... Compressor 6 ... Hydrogen refining device 7 ... Control device 7a ... Raw fuel flow rate control unit 7b ... Water vapor flow rate control units F1-F4 ... Flow meters FV-1, FV-2 ... Flow rate control valve 11 ... Raw fuel supply system 12 ... Fuel gas supply system 13 ... Hydrogen purification system 14 ... Cooling water circulation system 15 ... Steam supply system

Claims (3)

A reformer that generates a reformed gas by a steam reforming reaction of raw fuel supplied mixed with steam;
A fuel cell body that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between the reformed gas generated by the reformer and air;
A hydrogen purifier for purifying the reformed gas generated in the reformer into high-purity hydrogen;
Control means for controlling the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer based on the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body and the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier. A fuel cell power generator comprising:   The control means includes the total value of the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell main body and the reformed gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen purifier, and the temperature of the catalyst layer of the reformer. 2. The fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer is controlled based on the control unit.   The control means controls a steam flow rate mixed with the raw fuel and supplied to the reformer based on the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer and a predetermined constant. The fuel cell power generator according to claim 1 or 2.

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