JP2012036453A - Water electrolysis system and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and rapidly perform cleaning operation of a valve device while continuing water electrolysis treatment.SOLUTION: The water electrolysis system 10 includes: a water electrolytic apparatus 12 for electrolyzing pure water to produce high-pressure hydrogen; a gas-liquid separation device 22 for removing moisture contained in the high-pressure hydrogen discharged from the water electrolytic apparatus 12 to a high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20; the valve device 26 disposed in a drain pipe 24 which discharges water from the gas-liquid separation device 22; a controller 28; a detection device 150 for determining whether water clogging occurs in the valve device 26; and an ultrasonic transducer 104 directly mounted to a reducing valve 98 and driven for cleaning the reducing valve 98 when the water clogging is determined to occur in the reducing valve 98 by the detection device 150.

Description

  The present invention includes a water electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen, a gas-liquid separation device that separates water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen, and at least a pressure-reducing valve. A water electrolysis system provided with a valve apparatus and its operating method.

  In general, a water electrolysis apparatus is employed to produce hydrogen gas that is a fuel gas. This water electrolysis apparatus uses a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (ion exchange membrane) in order to decompose water and generate hydrogen (and oxygen). Electrode catalyst layers are provided on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to form an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. On both sides of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, an anode-side feeder and a cathode-side feeder A unit is configured by arranging

  Therefore, in a state where a plurality of units are stacked, a voltage is applied to both ends in the stacking direction, and water is supplied to the anode-side power feeding body. For this reason, water is decomposed and hydrogen ions (protons) are generated on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and the hydrogen ions permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and move to the cathode side to bond with electrons. Thus, hydrogen is produced. On the other hand, on the anode side, oxygen produced together with hydrogen ions (protons) is discharged from the unit with excess water.

  In this type of water electrolysis system, a high-pressure water electrolysis system that generates high-pressure (for example, 35 MPa) hydrogen on the cathode side is employed. For example, a hydrogen generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a water electrolysis unit that electrolyzes water to generate high-pressure hydrogen, and a gas-liquid separation unit that removes moisture contained in the generated high-pressure hydrogen. I have.

  In this hydrogen generation system, the gas-liquid separation unit includes a drain line for discharging liquid water and a hydrogen line for sending high-pressure hydrogen from which moisture has been removed. The drain line includes at least one pressure reducing valve. The on-off valves are sequentially arranged along the drainage flow direction.

  This makes it possible to remove water contained in the generated high-pressure hydrogen satisfactorily and perform a smooth and reliable drainage treatment.

JP 2009-191333 A

  By the way, in the above water electrolysis system, dust generated from a rubber seal, a catalyst or the like may be discharged to a drain line. Here, among various valves arranged in the drainage line, in particular, in a pressure reducing valve whose passage opening dimension is set to the narrowest dimension in the system flow path, dust adheres to and accumulates in the water passage. There is a possibility that the water passage is blocked and water is clogged.

  At that time, it is necessary to stop the operation of the water electrolysis system, and once remove the pressure reducing valve from the drainage line and perform a cleaning process, and then reattach the pressure reducing valve to the drainage line. Therefore, there is a problem that the cleaning operation of the pressure reducing valve is considerably complicated and the operation efficiency of the water electrolysis system is lowered.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and provides a water electrolysis system and a method for operating the water electrolysis system capable of easily and quickly performing a cleaning operation of the valve device while continuing the water electrolysis treatment. Objective.

  The present invention is provided in a water electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen, and a hydrogen pipe that discharges the high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolysis apparatus, The present invention relates to a water electrolysis system including a gas-liquid separation device that separates moisture contained in the gas, a drain pipe that discharges water from the gas-liquid separation device, and a valve device that includes at least a pressure reducing valve, and an operation method thereof. is there.

  The water electrolysis system is disposed between the hydrogen pipe and the drain pipe, and is directly attached to at least the pressure reducing valve, and a detection device that determines whether or not the valve device is clogged with water. And an ultrasonic transducer that is driven to clean the water passage in the pressure reducing valve when it is determined that the water is clogged in the apparatus.

  Moreover, in this water electrolysis system, it is preferable that a detection apparatus is equipped with the pressure sensor arrange | positioned at least to hydrogen piping or drainage piping.

  Furthermore, in this water electrolysis system, it is preferable that the detection device includes a water level detection unit that is disposed in the gas-liquid separator and detects whether or not the water level in the gas-liquid separator is a set height.

  Furthermore, the operation method includes a step of determining whether water clogging occurs in the valve device during operation of the water electrolysis system, and when it is determined that clogging of water occurs in the valve device, A step of driving at least an ultrasonic vibrator directly attached to the pressure reducing valve while operating the water electrolysis system to wash at least a water passage in the pressure reducing valve.

  In this operation method, it is preferable to determine whether or not the valve device is clogged with water by using at least a pressure sensor disposed in the hydrogen pipe or the drain pipe.

  Further, in this operation method, it is preferable to determine whether or not the valve device is clogged with water by detecting whether or not the water level in the gas-liquid separator is at a set height.

  According to the present invention, when it is determined by the detection device that water clogging occurs in the valve device, at least the water in the pressure reducing valve is driven by driving at least the ultrasonic vibrator directly attached to the pressure reducing valve. The passage is being cleaned.

  Accordingly, the valve device can be cleaned while operating the water electrolysis system. As a result, the cleaning operation of the valve device can be performed easily and quickly, and the operation efficiency of the water electrolysis system can be improved.

It is a schematic structure explanatory view of a water electrolysis system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the pressure-reduction valve which comprises the said water electrolysis system. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the flow control valve which comprises the said water electrolysis system. It is explanatory drawing of a detected pressure with the pressure sensor which comprises the said water electrolysis system. It is a schematic structure explanatory drawing of the water electrolysis system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of a detected pressure with the pressure sensor which comprises the said water electrolysis system. It is schematic structure explanatory drawing of the water electrolysis system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the detection water level by the water level detection sensor which comprises the said water electrolysis system. It is schematic structure explanatory drawing of the water electrolysis system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water electrolysis system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention electrolyzes water (pure water) to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen (higher than normal-pressure oxygen pressure, , To 35 MPa), the water electrolysis device 12 that separates the oxygen and excess water discharged from the water electrolysis device 12, and stores the water in the water storage device 14. A water circulation device 16 that circulates the water to be supplied to the water electrolysis device 12, a water supply device 18 that supplies pure water generated from city water to the water storage device 14, and high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolysis device 12. A gas-liquid separator 22 for removing water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen led out to the pipe 20; a valve device 26 provided in a drain pipe 24 for discharging water from the gas-liquid separator 22; Is provided.

  The water electrolysis device 12 stacks a plurality of unit cells 30. At one end in the stacking direction of the unit cells 30, a terminal plate 32a, an insulating plate 34a, and an end plate 36a are sequentially arranged outward. Similarly, a terminal plate 32b, an insulating plate 34b, and an end plate 36b are sequentially disposed on the other end in the stacking direction of the unit cells 30 toward the outside. The end plates 36a and 36b are integrally clamped and held.

  Terminal portions 38a and 38b are provided on the side portions of the terminal plates 32a and 32b so as to protrude outward. The terminal portions 38a and 38b are electrically connected to the power supply 40 via the wirings 39a and 39b.

  The unit cell 30 includes a disk-shaped electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 42, and an anode-side separator 44 and a cathode-side separator 46 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 42. The anode-side separator 44 and the cathode-side separator 46 have a disk shape and are made of, for example, a carbon member or the like, or are used for corrosion protection on a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal surface thereof. The metal plate that has been subjected to the above surface treatment is press-molded or cut and subjected to a corrosion-resistant surface treatment.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 42 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 48 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode-side power feeder 50 and a cathode provided on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 48. Side power supply body 52.

  An anode electrode catalyst layer 50 a and a cathode electrode catalyst layer 52 a are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 48. The anode electrode catalyst layer 50a uses, for example, a Ru (ruthenium) -based catalyst, while the cathode electrode catalyst layer 52a uses, for example, a platinum catalyst.

  The outer peripheral edge of the unit cell 30 communicates with each other in the stacking direction to supply water (pure water), water supply communication holes 56, oxygen generated by the reaction, and unreacted water (mixed fluid). A discharge communication hole 58 for discharging hydrogen and a hydrogen communication hole 60 for flowing hydrogen produced by the reaction are provided.

  The water circulation device 16 includes a circulation pipe 72 that communicates with the water supply communication hole 56 of the water electrolysis device 12, and the circulation pipe 72 includes a circulation pump 74 and an ion exchanger 76 that constitute a water storage device 14. Connected to the bottom of section 78.

  One end portion of the return pipe 80 communicates with the upper portion of the tank portion 78, and the other end of the return pipe 80 communicates with the discharge communication hole 58 of the water electrolysis apparatus 12. One end of the return pipe 80 is set to a position that always opens in the water stored in the tank portion 78.

  A pure water supply pipe 84 connected to the water supply device 18 and an oxygen exhaust pipe 86 for discharging oxygen separated from the pure water in the tank section 78 are connected to the tank section 78.

  One end of the high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20 is connected to the hydrogen communication hole 60 of the water electrolysis apparatus 12, and the other end of the high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20 is connected to the gas-liquid separator 22. The high-pressure hydrogen from which moisture has been removed by the gas-liquid separator 22 is discharged to the dry hydrogen pipe 88 as dry hydrogen.

  The gas-liquid separator 22 includes a tank unit 90 for storing water. The tank unit 90 is provided with water level detection units, for example, water level detection sensors 92a to 92d, which detect whether or not the water level WS in the tank unit 90 is a set height. Detection signals from the water level detection sensors 92 a to 92 d are input to the controller 28.

  The water level detection sensor 92a detects whether or not the water level WS has dropped to the set lower position (L), and the water level detection sensor 92b detects whether or not the water level WS has risen to the set upper position (H). The water level detection sensor (lower limit water level detection unit) 92c detects whether or not the water level WS has dropped to the lower limit set height (LL), and the water level detection sensor 92d detects that the water level WS has the upper limit set height (HH). ) Is detected.

  A drainage pipe 24 is connected to the lower part of the gas-liquid separator 22, and a filter 94 is provided in the drainage pipe 24, and a valve device 26 is disposed downstream of the filter 94. The valve device 26 includes a back pressure valve 96, a pressure reducing valve 98, a flow control valve 100, and an electromagnetic valve 102 that are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow direction of the waste water.

  In the valve device 26, the ultrasonic vibrator 104 is directly attached to at least the pressure reducing valve 98, preferably the pressure reducing valve 98 and the flow rate control valve 100. The ultrasonic transducer 104 is connected to an oscillator 106 and the oscillator 106 is connected to a power source 108.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure reducing valve 98 includes a main body 110, and an inlet port 112 and an outlet port 114 are formed in the main body 110. A spring 116 is accommodated in the main body 110, and one end of the spring 116 contacts the adjustment cap member 118, while the other end contacts the piston 120.

  The rod 122 provided on the piston 120 advances and retreats in the fixed cylinder 124, and the tip of the rod 122 abuts on the taper member 126. The taper member 126 is biased toward the piston 120 by a spring 128, and a fine water passage 130 is formed between the tip of the taper member 126 and the fixed cylinder 124. The inlet port 112 and the outlet port 114 can communicate with each other via a water passage 130.

  An attachment holder 132 is fixed to the bottom of the main body 110 via a screw 134. The ultrasonic transducer 104 is directly attached to the main body 110 by the attachment holder 132.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow control valve 100 includes a main body 136, and an inlet port 138 and an outlet port 140 are formed in the main body 136. A water passage 142 is formed in the main body 136, and a tapered stem 144 is disposed in the water passage 142. The taper stem 144 moves up and down by screwing a stem screw 146 to adjust the gap with the water passage 142.

  An attachment holder 148 is fixed to the bottom of the main body 136 via a screw 149. The ultrasonic transducer 104 is directly attached to the main body 136 by the attachment holder 148.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water electrolysis system 10 includes a detection device 150 that determines whether or not the valve device 26 is clogged with water. The detection device 150 is provided with a pressure sensor 152 disposed between the pressure reducing valve 98 and the flow rate control valve 100 and disposed in the drainage pipe 24. A detection signal from the pressure sensor 152 is sent to the controller 28.

  Operation | movement of the water electrolysis system 10 comprised in this way is demonstrated below in relation to the operating method which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

  First, when the water electrolysis system 10 is started, pure water generated from city water is supplied to the tank unit 78 constituting the water storage device 14 via the water supply device 18.

  In the water circulation device 16, the water in the tank unit 78 is supplied to the water supply communication hole 56 of the water electrolysis device 12 through the circulation pipe 72 under the action of the circulation pump 74. On the other hand, a voltage is applied to the terminal portions 38a and 38b of the terminal plates 32a and 32b through a power supply 40 that is electrically connected.

  Therefore, in each unit cell 30, water is supplied from the water supply communication hole 56 to the first flow path 64 of the anode side separator 44, and this water moves along the anode side power supply body 50.

  Therefore, water is decomposed by electricity in the anode electrode catalyst layer 50a, and hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen are generated. Hydrogen ions generated by this anodic reaction permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 48 and move to the cathode electrode catalyst layer 52a side, and combine with electrons to obtain hydrogen.

  Thereby, hydrogen flows along the second flow path 68 formed between the cathode-side separator 46 and the cathode-side power feeder 52. This hydrogen is maintained at a higher pressure than the water supply communication hole 56 and can flow out of the water electrolysis apparatus 12 through the hydrogen communication hole 60.

  On the other hand, oxygen generated by the reaction and unreacted water flow through the first flow path 64, and these mixed fluids are discharged to the return pipe 80 of the water circulation device 16 along the discharge communication hole 58. The After the unreacted gas water and oxygen are introduced into the tank unit 78 and separated, the water is introduced from the circulation pipe 72 through the ion exchanger 76 to the water supply communication hole 56 via the circulation pump 74. The Oxygen separated from the water is discharged to the outside from the oxygen exhaust pipe 86.

  The hydrogen generated in the water electrolysis device 12 is sent to the gas-liquid separation device 22 via the high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20. In the gas-liquid separator 22, water vapor contained in hydrogen is separated from the hydrogen and stored in the tank unit 90, while the hydrogen is introduced into the dry hydrogen pipe 88.

  The tank unit 90 includes water level detection sensors 92a to 92d in order to detect whether or not the water level WS in the tank unit 90 is a set height.

  Specifically, the water level detection sensor 92a detects whether or not the water level WS has dropped to the set lower position (L). When the controller 28 determines that the water level WS has decreased to the set lower position (L), the controller 28 instructs the drainage from the tank 90 to the drainage pipe 24 to be stopped. That is, the electromagnetic valve 102 is closed.

  On the other hand, the water level detection sensor 92b detects whether or not the water level WS has risen to the set upper position (H). When the controller 28 determines that the water level WS has risen to the set upper position (H), the controller 28 opens the electromagnetic valve 102 and instructs the drainage pipe 24 to drain.

  The water level detection sensor 92c detects whether or not the water level WS has decreased to the lower limit set height (LL), while the water level detection sensor 92d determines whether or not the water level WS has increased to the upper limit set height (HH). To detect. When the controller 28 determines that the water level WS has decreased to the lower limit set height (LL) and when the controller 28 determines that the water level WS has increased to the upper limit set height (HH), the water electrolysis system 10 is regarded as a system abnormality. Stop.

  In this case, in the valve device 26, the water pressure on the upstream side of the back pressure valve 96 is maintained by the back pressure valve 96 at a pressure equivalent to the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen (for example, 35 MPa). The pressure is greatly reduced to 10 MPa. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the water passage 130 that connects the inlet port 112 and the outlet port 114 has the narrowest opening size in the system flow path (between the flow path from the water electrolysis stack 12 to the electromagnetic valve 102). Is set to For this reason, the water passage 130 is likely to be clogged with water due to dust accumulation.

  In the valve device 26, the flow control valve 100 is disposed downstream of the pressure reducing valve 98. In this flow control valve 100, as shown in FIG. 3, the water passage 142 that connects the inlet port 138 and the outlet port 140 forms a considerably narrow gap via the tapered stem 144. Accordingly, the water passage 142 is likely to be clogged with water due to the accumulation of dust.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the pressure sensor 152 that constitutes the detection device 150 is disposed in the drainage pipe 24 between the pressure reducing valve 98 and the flow rate control valve 100. The pressure sensor 152 detects the water pressure reduced by the pressure reducing valve 98 and sends a detected pressure signal to the controller 28. The detection result is shown in FIG.

  During the operation of the water electrolysis system 10, the controller 28 determines whether water clogging occurs in the valve device 26, specifically, in the pressure reducing valve 98, based on the detected pressure signal from the pressure sensor 152. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 28 sets a threshold value P0 at which water clogging occurs in advance, and compares the detected pressure with the threshold value P0. When the controller 28 determines that the detected pressure exceeds the threshold value P0, that is, when it is determined that water clogging occurs in the pressure reducing valve 98, the controller 28 operates at least the pressure reducing valve 98 while operating the water electrolysis system 10. The directly mounted ultrasonic transducer 104 is driven.

  The ultrasonic vibrator 104 converts electrical vibration generated by the oscillator 106 into mechanical vibration and directly transmits the mechanical vibration to the main body 110 of the pressure reducing valve 98. For this reason, the water filled in the inlet port 112, the water passage 130 and the outlet port 114 in the main body 110 is vibrated. Therefore, particularly in the narrow water passage 130, the dust in the volume is easily and reliably peeled off through the impact force caused by the destruction of minute bubbles, and the clogging of water is solved well.

  The controller 28 drives the ultrasonic transducer 104 until the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 152 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value P0, and then stops driving the ultrasonic transducer 104. Thereby, the cleaning operation of the water passage 130 in the pressure reducing valve 98 is completed.

  On the other hand, in the flow control valve 100, as shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic vibrator 104 is directly attached to the main body 136. For this reason, simultaneously with the cleaning operation of the pressure reducing valve 98, the cleaning operation of the water passage 142 in the flow control valve 100 is performed. In addition, you may perform the washing | cleaning operation | work of the flow control valve 100 as needed.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, when it is determined by the detection device 150 that the valve device 26 is clogged with water, at least the ultrasonic vibrator 104 directly attached to the pressure reducing valve 98 is driven. The water passage 130 in the pressure reducing valve 98 is washed.

  Therefore, the valve device 26 can be cleaned while the water electrolysis system 10 is operated. As a result, the cleaning operation of the valve device 26 can be performed easily and quickly, and the operation efficiency of the water electrolysis system 10 can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a water electrolysis system 160 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the component same as the water electrolysis system 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Similarly, in the third and subsequent embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The water electrolysis system 160 includes a detection device 162 that determines whether or not the valve device 26 is clogged with water. The detection device 162 includes a pressure sensor 164 disposed in the high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20, and a detection signal from the pressure sensor 164 is sent to the controller 28.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the pressure sensor 164 detects the hydrogen pressure in the high-pressure hydrogen pipe 20 during the operation of the water electrolysis system 160. Based on the detected pressure signal from the pressure sensor 164, the controller 28 determines whether or not the valve device 26 is clogged with water.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 164 fluctuates when the electromagnetic valve 102 is opened and drained from the gas-liquid separator 22 to the drain pipe 24. Normally, the water discharged from the gas-liquid separator 22 to the drain pipe 24 is decompressed by the valve device 26 and then discharged after being adjusted to a desired flow rate, so that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 164 once decreases. To do.

  At that time, if water is clogged in the pressure reducing valve 98 or the flow rate control valve 100, drainage is not performed from the drainage pipe 24 via the electromagnetic valve 102. Therefore, since the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 164 does not decrease even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 28 determines that the valve device 26 is clogged with water.

  As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 104 is driven, and the pressure reducing valve 98 and the flow control valve 100 are cleaned as necessary. When it is determined that water clogging occurs in the valve device 26, the water electrolysis device 12 preferably prevents the accumulation of water in the gas-liquid separation device 22 by reducing the output of the power supply 40. .

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the valve device 26 can be cleaned while the water electrolysis system 160 is operated, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the water electrolysis system 170 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a detection device 172 that determines whether or not the valve device 26 is clogged with water. The detection device 172 includes water level detection sensors 92 a to 92 d disposed in the tank unit 90 that constitutes the gas-liquid separation device 22.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, when the controller 28 determines that the water level WS has risen to the set upper position (H) by the water level detection sensor 92b, the controller 28 opens the electromagnetic valve 102 and drains the piping. The drainage to 24 is instructed. Accordingly, the water discharged to the drainage pipe 24 is drained through the electromagnetic valve 102, so that the water level WS in the tank unit 90 is lowered. And as shown in FIG. 8, when predetermined time passes, it will detect that the water level WS fell to the setting downward position (L) via the water level detection sensor 92a.

  On the other hand, when water is clogged in the valve device 26, drainage is not performed from the drain pipe 24 via the electromagnetic valve 102. For this reason, it is not detected that the water level WS has decreased to the set lower position (L) even if a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the water level WS had increased to the set upper position (H).

  Thus, the controller 28 determines that the water clogging occurs in the valve device 26, and the water level WS is lowered to the set lower position (L) via the water level detection sensor 92a while suppressing the output of the water electrolysis device 12. The ultrasonic transducer 104 is driven until this is detected. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the water electrolysis system 180 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes detection devices 150, 162, and 172 that determine whether water clogging occurs in the valve device 26.

  Therefore, when at least one of the detection devices 150, 162, and 172 detects water clogging in the valve device 26, the controller 28 drives the ultrasonic transducer 104 while operating the water electrolysis system 180. The cleaning operation of the valve device 26 is performed. Thereby, in 4th Embodiment, the effect similar to said 1st-3rd embodiment is acquired.

  The detection devices 150, 162, and 172 can be used in combination with any one of the first to third embodiments provided independently and the fourth embodiment provided with all. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 160, 170, 180 ... Water electrolysis system 12 ... Water electrolysis device 14 ... Water storage device 16 ... Water circulation device 18 ... Water supply device 20 ... High pressure hydrogen piping 22 ... Gas-liquid separation device 24 ... Drain piping 26 ... Valve device 28 ... Controller 30 ... Unit cell 42 ... Electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 44 ... Anode side separator 46 ... Cathode side separator 48 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 50 ... Anode side power supply body 52 ... Cathode side power supply body 56 ... Water supply communication hole 58 ... discharge communication hole 60 ... hydrogen communication hole 90 ... tank portions 92a to 92d ... water level detection sensor 96 ... back pressure valve 98 ... pressure reducing valve 100 ... flow control valve 102 ... solenoid valve 104 ... ultrasonic transducer 106 ... oscillator 108 ... power supply 130 142, water passages 150, 162, 172 ... detection devices 152, 164 ... pressure sensors

Claims (6)

A water electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen that is higher in pressure than the oxygen;
A gas-liquid separator that is disposed in a hydrogen pipe that discharges the high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolyzer and separates water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen;
A valve device disposed in a drainage pipe for discharging water from the gas-liquid separator, and including at least a pressure reducing valve;
A water electrolysis system comprising:
A detector that is arranged between the hydrogen pipe and the drain pipe, and that determines whether water clogging occurs in the valve device;
An ultrasonic transducer that is directly attached to at least the pressure reducing valve and is driven to clean the water passage in the pressure reducing valve when the detection device determines that the water is clogged in the valve device. When,
A water electrolysis system comprising:   The water electrolysis system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device includes a pressure sensor disposed at least in the hydrogen pipe or the drain pipe.   3. The water electrolysis system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is disposed in the gas-liquid separation device, and a water level detection unit that detects whether or not the water level in the gas-liquid separation device is a set height. A water electrolysis system comprising: A water electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen that is higher in pressure than the oxygen;
A gas-liquid separator that is disposed in a hydrogen pipe that discharges the high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolyzer and separates water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen;
A valve device disposed in a drainage pipe for discharging water from the gas-liquid separator, and including at least a pressure reducing valve;
A method for operating a water electrolysis system comprising:
Determining whether water clogging occurs in the valve device during operation of the water electrolysis system;
When it is determined that the water clogging occurs in the valve device, while operating the water electrolysis system, at least the ultrasonic vibrator directly attached to the pressure reducing valve is driven, and at least in the pressure reducing valve Cleaning the water passage;
A method for operating a water electrolysis system, comprising:   5. The water electrolysis system according to claim 4, wherein at least a pressure sensor disposed in the hydrogen pipe or the drain pipe determines whether or not the water is clogged in the valve device. Driving method.   6. The operation method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein whether or not the water is clogged in the valve device is determined by detecting whether or not a water level in the gas-liquid separator is a set height. A method for operating a water electrolysis system.

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