JP2014122130A - Hydrogen generation system, fuel cell system equipped with hydrogen generation system, and operation method of hydrogen generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen generation system capable of detecting abnormalities of a gas feeder even without a flow meter.SOLUTION: A hydrogen generation system 100 comprises a hydrogen generator 11, a feed gas supply route 12, a pressure detector 13, a gas feeder 14, a feed gas cutoff valve 15, and a controller 17. The controller takes at least one action from among stopping operation of the gas feeder 14, determining abnormalities, and notifying the abnormalities, on the basis of a difference between a first pressure detected by the pressure detector 13 when the gas feeder 14 is actuated with a first operation amount and a second pressure detected by the pressure detector 13 when the gas feeder 14 is actuated with a second operation amount and of the operation amounts of the gas feeder 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generation system that generates a fuel gas containing hydrogen from a raw material gas.

  There is a hydrogen generator that uses a gas containing a hydrocarbon such as natural gas or LPG as a raw material gas and generates a fuel gas mainly composed of hydrogen by a reforming reaction.

  The hydrogen generator is a source gas supply path for supplying source gas to the hydrogen generator, a gas pressure gauge for measuring the supply pressure of the source gas, a gas shutoff valve for supplying or shutting off the source gas to the hydrogen generator, and boosting the source gas The hydrogen generation system is configured with an auxiliary device such as a gas supply device that supplies the hydrogen generator and a gas flow meter that measures the flow rate of the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generator, and a control device that controls these devices. Fuel gas is generated from raw material gas and used in combination with various devices.

  As an example, there is a fuel cell system in which a hydrogen generation system is combined with a fuel cell, and the fuel cell system is used as a power generation system that generates power from raw material gas and air.

  In order to obtain the necessary fuel gas, it is necessary to supply a stable raw material gas. In the hydrogen generation system, the gas supply unit plays the function. As an example, there is a method that uses a gas supply device and a gas flow meter, feeds back the gas flow rate measured by the gas flow meter to the gas supply device, adjusts the raw material gas supply amount, and stably generates the required fuel gas amount. is there.

  Further, in order to generate stable fuel gas, the gas supply device needs to operate normally. As a means for confirming an abnormality in the gas supply device, a method of determining a gas supply device abnormality when the deviation between the indicated value of the gas flow meter and the fuel set value exceeds a predetermined range within a predetermined time, and stopping the system ( Patent document 1) etc. are known.

JP 2008-140686 A

  On the other hand, in order to simplify the hydrogen generation system by reducing the number of parts, etc., the gas flow meter, which is an expensive sensor, is deleted from the configuration of the hydrogen generation system, and a constant displacement pump is used for the gas supply. A technology of a hydrogen generation system in which a gas supply unit has functions of gas supply and flow rate adjustment has been reported.

  However, in the prior art, although there is a technical disclosure of fuel generation in a hydrogen generation system in which a gas flow rate adjusting function is added to the gas supply device, no technical disclosure has been made regarding means for determining abnormality of the gas supply device.

  This invention solves the said subject, and it aims at providing the hydrogen generation system which can determine abnormality of a gas supply device, even if a hydrogen generation system is a structure which is not equipped with a flowmeter.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a hydrogen generation system according to the present invention includes:
A hydrogen generator for reforming a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen;
A raw material gas path connected to the hydrogen generator for supplying the raw material gas to the hydrogen generator;
A fuel gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and leading out the fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas path;
A gas supply unit disposed on the source gas path for supplying source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A controller;
With
The controller includes a first pressure detected by the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the first operation amount and a second pressure detected by the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the second operation amount. Based on the difference from the pressure, the first manipulated variable, and the second manipulated variable, at least one operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed. .

  By adopting such a configuration, the controller determines that the operation of the gas supply device is stopped, abnormal, or reports based on the difference in pressure value detected by the pressure detector and the operation amount of the gas supply device. Can do.

  The present invention uses a pressure detector instead of a gas flow meter, and can determine the abnormality of the gas supply device based on the value of the pressure detector and the operation amount of the gas supply device. In addition to the simplification of the above, it is possible to provide an inexpensive hydrogen generation system as compared with a hydrogen generation system using a gas flow meter that has been an expensive sensor.

The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart which shows typically operation | movement of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows typically operation | movement of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4 of this invention The flowchart which shows typically operation | movement of the hydrogen production system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows typically operation | movement of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the hydrogen generation system which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention

The hydrogen generation system of the first invention is
A hydrogen generator for reforming a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen;
A raw material gas path connected to the hydrogen generator for supplying the raw material gas to the hydrogen generator;
A fuel gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and leading out the fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas path;
A gas supply unit disposed on the source gas path for supplying source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A controller;
With
The controller includes a first pressure detected by the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the first operation amount and a second pressure detected by the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the second operation amount. Based on the difference from the pressure, the first manipulated variable, and the second manipulated variable, at least one operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed. It is configured as follows.

  Thereby, the gas supply device is operated, and the flow rate of the raw material gas predicted from the operation amount at that time, the pressure loss value indirectly obtained therefrom, and the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure are compared. Thus, it is possible to determine the abnormality of the gas supply device, notify the abnormality, or stop the operation.

The hydrogen generation system of the second invention is
Further comprising a shutoff valve disposed in at least one of the source gas path between the hydrogen generator and the pressure detector and the fuel gas path for shutting off the supply of the source gas;
The controller closes the shut-off valve in the starting process, sets the first operation amount to zero, and based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the first operation amount, and the second operation amount. At least one of the operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining the abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is implemented.

  Thus, even when the state changes from a state where there is no gas flow to the hydrogen generator to a state where there is a gas flow (for example, when the state changes from standby to startup of the hydrogen generator), the first pressure and the second pressure Based on the difference between the two and the operation amount, it is possible to determine abnormality of the gas supply device, notify the abnormality, or stop the operation.

  In the hydrogen generation system of the third invention, particularly in the first invention and the second invention, the gas supply unit is constituted by a constant volume pump capable of calculating the supply amount of the raw material gas based on the operation amount.

  Thereby, the pressure fluctuation by the gas supply system etc. to which the hydrogen generation system is connected can be suppressed, and the pressure value detected by the pressure detector can be accurately calculated.

  In the hydrogen generation system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the controller determines the first pressure detected by the pressure detector for a predetermined time or more. The operation of the gas supply device is stopped based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the first manipulated variable, and the second manipulated variable when the pressure fluctuation range is within the determined pressure fluctuation range. Or at least one operation of notifying an abnormality.

  Thereby, it is possible to determine an abnormality of the gas supply device, notify the abnormality or stop the operation during a series of normal operations from standby to activation of the hydrogen generation system.

  Further, by burning the raw material gas or the generated fuel gas, it is possible to determine an abnormality of the gas supply device, to notify the abnormality or to stop the operation without releasing the combustible gas as it is.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hydrogen generation system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the hydrogen generator includes a combustor that burns at least one of a source gas and a fuel gas. And the controller is based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the first manipulated variable, and the second manipulated variable when the gas supply is operating and the combustor is burning. Then, at least one operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is implemented.

A hydrogen generation system according to a sixth aspect of the invention is any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the hydrogen generation system is disposed upstream of the pressure detector in the source gas supply path, and the source gas pressure is adjusted to a constant value. The pressure regulator is further provided.

  Thereby, the pressure fluctuation by the gas supply system etc. to which the hydrogen generation system is connected can be eliminated, and the pressure value detected by the pressure detector can be accurately calculated.

  A seventh invention includes any one of the first to sixth hydrogen generation systems, and a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas and oxidant gas supplied from the hydrogen generation system. This is a fuel cell system.

The eighth invention
A hydrogen generator for reforming a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen;
A raw material gas path connected to the hydrogen generator for supplying the raw material gas to the hydrogen generator;
A fuel gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and leading out the fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas path;
A gas supply unit disposed on the source gas path for supplying source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A method for operating a hydrogen generation system comprising:
A step in which the pressure detector detects the first pressure when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the first operation amount;
A step in which the pressure detector detects the second pressure when the operation amount of the gas supply device is the second operation amount;
Calculating a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;
Based on the first operation amount, the second operation amount, and the pressure difference of the gas supply device, at least one operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed. Process,
Is a method for operating a hydrogen generation system.

  By this method, a series of operations comprising a step of detecting the first pressure and the second pressure by the pressure detector, a step of calculating the difference, a step of comparing the pressure difference and the operation amount, and determining an abnormality of the gas supply device. The method can determine the abnormality of the gas supply device, notify the abnormality, or stop the operation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, in all the drawings, only components necessary for explaining the present invention are extracted and illustrated, and other components are not illustrated. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the hydrogen generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen generation system 100 of the present invention is connected to a hydrogen generator 11 that reforms a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and a hydrogen generator. The source gas supply path 12 for supplying the source gas, the pressure detector 13 for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas supply path 12, and the source gas supply path 12 are arranged, and the source gas is supplied to the hydrogen generator 11. A gas supply device 14 to be supplied, a raw material gas shut-off valve 15 (a shut-off valve) disposed between the pressure detector 13 and the hydrogen generator 11 on the raw material gas supply path 12 for shutting off the supply of the raw material gas, hydrogen A fuel gas supply path 16 for deriving the fuel gas generated by the generator 11 and a controller 17 are provided.

  The hydrogen generator 11 has a configuration in which a reforming section having a reforming catalyst is disposed therein, and generates a fuel gas containing hydrogen by a reforming reaction using a raw material gas containing hydrocarbon and steam. To do. In addition, in order to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) contained in the fuel gas depending on equipment disposed downstream of the hydrogen generation system 100 and using the fuel gas, the hydrogen generator 11 is added to the reforming unit, A shift section including a shift catalyst that converts CO to carbon dioxide (CO2) and a selective oxidation section that includes a selective oxidation catalyst that oxidizes CO and converts it to CO2 may be provided.

  The pressure detector 13 is a pressure sensor and may have any configuration as long as the pressure of the supplied source gas can be measured. For example, the pressure detector 13 includes a semiconductor type pressure sensor that measures the source gas pressure with a gauge pressure. Also good.

  The gas supply unit 14 can supply the raw material gas while adjusting the flow rate thereof, is not easily affected by the pressure change on the downstream side of the gas supply unit 14, and the flow rate is not required to use a flow meter. Any configuration can be used as long as it can be determined by the operation amount of the gas supply device 14, for example, a constant volume type electric axial flow type diaphragm pump may be used.

  The raw material gas cutoff valve 15 may have any configuration as long as supply and cutoff of the raw material gas can be arbitrarily controlled, and may be constituted by, for example, a plunger type electromagnetic valve.

  The controller 17 may be in any form as long as it is a device that controls each device constituting the hydrogen generation system 100. The controller 17 includes an arithmetic processing unit exemplified by a microprocessor, a CPU, and the like, and a storage unit configured by a memory or the like that stores a program for executing each control operation. Then, in the controller 17, the arithmetic processing unit reads out a predetermined control program stored in the storage unit and executes it, thereby processing the information and the hydrogen generation system 100 including these controls. Various controls are performed.

  The controller 17 is not limited to a single controller, but may include a controller group in which a plurality of controllers cooperate to execute control of the hydrogen generation system 100. Absent. Moreover, the controller 17 may be comprised with the microcomputer, and may be comprised by MPU, PLC (Programmable logicC Controller), a logic circuit, etc.

  Next, the operation of the hydrogen generation system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing a process of determining an abnormality of the gas supply unit 14 in the hydrogen generation system 100 according to the first embodiment and determining whether the gas supply unit 14 is operable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 17 confirms that the state of the raw material gas cutoff valve 15 is open (step S101). If it is confirmed in step 101 that the source gas cutoff valve 15 is open (Yes in step S101), the process proceeds to step 103. If the gas shut-off valve is not open (No in step S101), the source gas shut-off valve 15 is opened (step S102), and the process returns to step S101.

  Subsequently, the gas supply device is operated with the first manipulated variable (U1) (step S103), and the pressure detector 13 starts measuring the first pressure (P1) (step S104).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement time of P1 by the pressure detector 13 has passed a predetermined first pressure determination time (step S105). When the first pressure determination time has elapsed in step S105 (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. If it is less than or equal to the first pressure determination time (No in step S105), the process returns to step S104, and the measurement of the first pressure is continued.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the pressure fluctuation of P1 is within the range (step S106). When the pressure fluctuation of P1 is within the range (Yes in Step S106), the process proceeds to Step S107. When the pressure fluctuation of P1 is outside the range (No in step S106), the process returns to step S104.

  After passing through step S106, the controller 17 stores the first pressure (P1).

  Steps S103 to S107 confirm that P1 shows a stable pressure value for a predetermined time, suppress the influence of the pressure fluctuation of the gas supply system to which the hydrogen generation system is connected, and determine the pressure value detected by the pressure detector. This is a process of calculating with high accuracy.

  Subsequently, the controller 17 operates the gas supply device with the second operation amount (U2) (step 108), and stores the second pressure (P2) measured by the pressure detector 13 (step S109).

  Further, the controller 17 calculates a pressure difference (P3) between P1 stored in step S107 and P2 stored in step S109 (step S110).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 determines the raw material gas flow rate (Q1) when operated at the operation amount U1 and the raw material gas flow rate (Q2) when operated at the operation amount U2 from the relationship between the operation amount and flow rate stored in advance. The flow rate (Q3), which is the difference between the two, is obtained (step S111), and the flow rate is calculated from the relationship between the flow rate (Q) flowing through the upstream path to the pressure detector 13 of the source gas supply path 12 and the pressure loss (P). The pressure loss (P4) at Q3 is read (step S112).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 compares the pressure difference P3 obtained in step S110 with the pressure loss P4 obtained in step S112 (step S113).

  Subsequently, P3 and P4 are compared, and it is determined whether or not the difference is within a predetermined range (step S114). When it is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S114), the process proceeds to step S115, where it is determined that the gas supplier 14 is normal, and the operation of the gas supplier 14 is continued (step S117). When it is outside the predetermined range (No in Step S114), the process proceeds to Step S116, where it is determined that the gas supply device 14 is abnormal and the operation of the gas supply device 14 is stopped (Step S118).

  In step S110 to step S114, the gas supply device is a constant displacement pump (for example, a direct acting diaphragm pump), the raw material gas flow rate is determined by the operation amount of the gas supply device 14, and the pressure difference P3 is the gas supply device. The flow rate Q3, which is the difference between the raw material gas flow rate Q1 that flows when the engine 14 operates at the operation amount U1 and the raw material flow rate Q2 that operates when the operation amount U2 operates, is obtained up to the pressure detector 13 in the raw material gas supply path 12. Corresponding to the pressure loss when passing through the upstream path, and the relationship between the pressure loss and the flow rate when the controller 17 passes through the upstream path to the pressure detector 13 in the source gas supply path 12 is stored in advance. Is used to determine the abnormality of the gas supply device.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the hydrogen generation system 100 uses the hydrogen generator 11, the pressure detector 13, the source gas shutoff valve 15, and the flow rate of the source gas at its manipulated variable without using a flow meter. A gas supply device 14 and a controller 17 that can be adjusted are provided, and the controller 17 has a first pressure P1 measured by the pressure detector 13 and the gas when the gas supply device operates at the first operation amount U1. The second pressure P2 measured by the pressure detector 13 when the feeder operates at the second manipulated variable U2 and the pressure difference P3 are calculated, and the relationship between the manipulated variable and the flow rate stored in advance is calculated. The P4 obtained from the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure loss is compared, and even if the raw material gas flow rate is not measured directly, the abnormality of the gas supply device can be judged and the abnormality is reported only by the operation amount and pressure measurement items. Or you can stop driving That.

  It should be noted that the abnormality of the gas supply unit is determined in step S116 and the operation of the gas supply unit 14 is stopped in step S118. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be displayed that the supply device 14 is replaced.

  Also, step S101 shown in FIG. 2 is changed to a step for confirming that the source gas shutoff valve 15 is closed, and in step S103, the first operation amount of the gas supplier is set to zero, and the gas supplier 14 operates. The following steps may be performed with the first pressure P1 as the pressure when not.

(Modification 1)
A modification of the configuration of the hydrogen generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generation system according to Modification 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 3A shows a configuration in which a pressure detector 13 and a gas supplier 14 are sequentially arranged on the raw material gas supply path 12 in accordance with the gas flow direction, and a raw material gas cutoff valve 15 is arranged on the fuel gas supply path 16. It is.

  FIG. 3B shows a configuration in which a gas supplier 14, a pressure detector 13, and a source gas cutoff valve 15 are sequentially arranged on the source gas supply path 12 in accordance with the gas flow direction.

  The flowchart schematically showing the operation of the hydrogen generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to both the configurations of FIG. 3A and FIG. Can be determined, an abnormality can be reported, or the operation can be stopped.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, if the position of the source gas cutoff valve 15 is downstream of the pressure detector 13 with respect to the gas flow direction, it is disposed in either the source gas supply path 12 or the fuel gas supply path 16. It is sufficient that the pressure detector 13 and the gas supply device 14 are disposed on the raw material gas supply path 12, and the configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B is used. It is not limited to.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the operation of the hydrogen generation system 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the configuration of the hydrogen generation system 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a process of determining an abnormality of the gas supply device in the hydrogen generation system 100 according to Embodiment 1 and determining whether the gas supply device can operate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 17 confirms that the state of the source gas cutoff valve 15 is closed (step S201). If it is confirmed in step 201 that the source gas cutoff valve 15 is closed (Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step 103. If the source gas cutoff valve 15 is not closed (No in step S201), the source gas cutoff valve 15 is opened (step S202), and the process returns to step S201.

  Subsequently, the operation amount (U1) of the gas supply device 14 is set to zero (step S203), and the pressure detector 13 starts measuring the first pressure (step S204).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement time of the first pressure at the pressure detector 13 has exceeded a predetermined first pressure determination time (step S205). If the first pressure determination time has elapsed in step S205 (Yes in step S205), the process proceeds to step S206. If it is less than or equal to the first pressure determination time (No in step S205), the process returns to step S204, and the measurement of the first pressure is continued.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is within the range (step S206). When the pressure fluctuation of P1 is within the range (Yes in Step S206), the process proceeds to Step S207. If the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is outside the range (No in step S206), the process returns to step S204.

  After passing through step S206, the controller 17 stores the first pressure (P1) (step S207).

  Steps S203 to S207 confirm that P1 shows a stable pressure value for a predetermined time, suppress the influence of the pressure fluctuation of the gas supply system to which the hydrogen generation system 100 is connected, and the pressure detected by the pressure detector 13 This is a step of calculating the value with high accuracy.

  Subsequently, the controller 17 opens the source gas cutoff valve 15 (step S208).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 operates the gas supply device with the operation amount (U2) (step 209), and stores the second pressure (P2) measured by the pressure detector 13 (step S210).

  Further, the controller 17 calculates a pressure difference (P3) between P1 stored in step S207 and P2 stored in step S210 (step S211).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 detects the source gas flow rate (Q2) when operating at the operation amount U2 from the relationship between the operation amount and the flow rate stored in advance and the pressure in the source gas supply path 12 stored in advance. The pressure loss (P4) at the flow rate Q2 is read from the relationship between the flow rate (Q) flowing through the upstream path to the container 13 and the pressure loss (P) (step S212).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 compares the pressure difference P3 obtained in step S210 with the pressure loss P4 obtained in step S212 (step S213).

  Subsequently, P3 and P4 are compared, and it is determined whether or not the difference is within a predetermined range (step S214). When it is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S214), the process proceeds to step S215, where the gas supply unit 14 is determined to be normal, and the operation of the gas supply unit 14 is continued (step S217). When it is outside the predetermined range (No in step S214), the process proceeds to step S216, where it is determined that the gas supply device 14 is abnormal and the operation of the gas supply device 14 is stopped (step S218).

In step S209 to step S214, the gas supplier 14 is a constant displacement pump (for example, a direct-acting diaphragm pump), the raw material gas flow rate is determined by the operation amount of the gas supplier 14, and the pressure difference P3 is the gas supply. The flow rate of raw material Q2 flowing when the vessel 14 operates with the operation amount U2 corresponds to a pressure loss when passing through the upstream path to the pressure detector 13 in the raw material gas supply path 12, and the controller 17 supplies the raw material gas. Using the fact that the relationship between the pressure loss and the flow rate when passing through the upstream path to the pressure detector 13 in the path 12 is stored in advance, the abnormality of the gas supplier is determined.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the hydrogen generation system 100 uses the hydrogen generator 11, the pressure detector 13, the source gas shutoff valve 15, and the flow rate of the source gas at its manipulated variable without using a flow meter. A gas supply device 14 and a controller 17 that can be adjusted are provided, and the controller 17 is measured by the pressure detector 13 in a state in which the gas supply device is zero and there is no raw material gas flow to the hydrogen generator. 1 pressure P1, and the second pressure P2 measured by the pressure detector 13 when the gas supply device operates at the operation amount U2 and the pressure difference P3 are calculated, and the operation amount stored in advance is calculated. The process of comparing P4 obtained from the relationship between the flow rate and the flow rate and the pressure loss is performed, and the abnormality of the gas supply device 14 can be detected only by the measurement items of the operation amount and the pressure without directly measuring the raw material gas flow rate. Judgment, notification of abnormality, or luck It is possible to stop the.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generation system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen generation system 100 has a combustor 20 for obtaining heat for heating the hydrogen generator 11 by burning a raw material gas or a fuel gas with respect to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. A combustion gas path 21 that branches from the fuel gas supply path 16 and feeds the raw material gas or the combustion gas as a combustion gas to the combustor 20, and a combustion gas cutoff valve 22 that supplies and shuts off the combustion gas to the combustor 20 (a cutoff valve). ), And a combustion exhaust gas path 23 for discharging the combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustor 20 to the outside of the hydrogen generation system 100 system. Although not shown here, the combustor 20 also includes a combustion air supply system for supplying air for burning the raw material gas or the fuel gas.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing an abnormality determination operation of the gas supplier in the hydrogen generation system 100 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 17 confirms that the raw material gas cutoff valve 15 and the combustion gas cutoff valve 22 are in the open state (step S301). If it is confirmed in step 301 that the raw material gas cutoff valve 15 and the combustion gas cutoff valve 22 are open (Yes in step S301), the process proceeds to step 303. If the source gas cutoff valve 15 and the combustion gas cutoff valve 22 are not in the open state (No in step S301), the source gas cutoff valve 15 and the combustion gas cutoff valve 22 are opened (step S302), and the process returns to step S301.

  Subsequently, the gas supply device 14 is operated at the first operation amount U1 (step S303), the supply of the raw material gas to the hydrogen generator 11 is started (step S304), and the raw material gas passes through the hydrogen generator 11 Then, combustion is performed in the combustor 20 through the combustion gas path 21, and the temperature of the hydrogen generator 11 is increased (step S305).

  Subsequently, the pressure detector 13 starts measuring the first pressure (step S306).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement time of the first pressure at the pressure detector 13 has exceeded a predetermined first pressure determination time (step S307). If the first pressure determination time has elapsed in step S307 (Yes in step S307), the process proceeds to step S308.
If it is less than or equal to the first pressure determination time (No in step S307), the process returns to step S306 and the measurement of the first pressure is continued.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is within a range (step S308). When the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is within the range (Yes in Step S308), the process proceeds to Step S309. When the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is outside the range (No in step S308), the process returns to step S306.

  After passing through step S308, the controller 17 stores the first pressure (P1) (step S309).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 operates the gas supply device with the second operation amount (U2) (step 310), and stores the second pressure (P2) measured by the pressure detector 13 (step S311). The second operation amount U2 is, for example, an operation amount for supplying a raw material gas for obtaining a temperature of a hydrogen generator and a fuel gas amount used in equipment provided downstream of the hydrogen generation system.

  Further, the controller 17 calculates a pressure difference (P3) between P1 stored in step S309 and P2 stored in step S311 (step S312).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 determines the raw material gas flow rate (Q1) when operated at the operation amount U1 and the raw material gas flow rate (Q2) when operated at the operation amount U2 from the relationship between the operation amount and flow rate stored in advance. Is obtained from the relationship between the flow rate (Q) flowing through the upstream path to the pressure detector 13 in the raw material gas supply path 12 and the pressure loss (P). The pressure loss (P4) at Q3 is read (step S314).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 compares the pressure difference P3 obtained in step S212 with the pressure loss P4 obtained in step S314 (step S315).

  Subsequently, P3 and P4 are compared, and it is determined whether or not the difference is within a predetermined range (step S316). If it is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S316), the process proceeds to step S317, it is determined that the gas supply device 14 is normal, the operation of the gas supply device 14 is continued, and fuel gas generation is continued (step S319). When it is outside the predetermined range (No in step S316), the process proceeds to step S318, where it is determined that the gas supply device 14 is abnormal and the operation of the gas supply device 14 is stopped (step S320).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the hydrogen generation system 100 uses the hydrogen generator 11, the pressure detector 13, the source gas shutoff valve 15, and the flow rate of the source gas at its manipulated variable without using a flow meter. In addition to an adjustable gas supply 14 (for example, a constant-volume axial flow diaphragm pump) and a controller 17, heat for heating the hydrogen generator 11 is obtained by burning a raw material gas or a fuel gas. A combustion gas passage 21 that branches off from the combustor 20 and the fuel gas supply passage 16 and feeds the raw material gas or the combustion gas to the combustor 20 as a combustion gas, and a combustion gas cutoff valve that supplies and shuts off the combustion gas to the combustor 20. 22. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment of the present invention, the configuration further includes the combustion exhaust gas path 23 for discharging the combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustor 20 to the outside of the hydrogen generation system 100 system. The formation system 100 is activated, determine an abnormality of the gas supply unit 14 in the process flow for generating the fuel gas, and notifying an abnormality, or to stop the operation.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing an abnormality determination operation of the gas supplier in the hydrogen generation system 100 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 17 confirms that the state of the source gas cutoff valve 15 is closed (step S401). If it is confirmed in step 401 that the source gas cutoff valve 15 is closed (Yes in step S401), the process proceeds to step 403. If the source gas cutoff valve 15 is not closed (No in step S401), the source gas cutoff valve 15 is opened (step S402), and the process returns to step S401.

  Subsequently, the operation amount (U1) of the gas supply device 14 is set to zero (step S403), and the pressure detector 13 starts measuring the first pressure (step S404).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement time of P1 by the pressure detector 13 has passed a predetermined first pressure determination time (step S405). If the first pressure determination time has elapsed in step S405 (Yes in step S405), the process proceeds to step S406. If it is less than or equal to the first pressure determination time (No in step S405), the process returns to step S404 and the measurement of the first pressure is continued.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is within the range (step S406). When the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is within the range (Yes in Step S406), the process proceeds to Step S407. When the pressure fluctuation of the first pressure is outside the range (No in step S406), the process returns to step S404.

  After passing through step S406, the controller 17 stores the first pressure (P1) (step S407).

  Steps S404 to S407 confirm that P1 shows a stable pressure value for a predetermined time, suppress the influence of the pressure fluctuation of the gas supply system to which the hydrogen generation system is connected, and determine the pressure value detected by the pressure detector. This is a process of calculating with high accuracy.

  Subsequently, the controller 17 opens the raw material gas cutoff valve 15 and the combustion gas cutoff valve 22 (step S408), supplies the raw material gas to the hydrogen generator 11 (step S409), and starts to raise the temperature of the hydrogen generator. (Step S410).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 operates the gas supply device 14 with the operation amount (U2) (step 411), and stores the second pressure (P2) measured by the pressure detector 13 (step S412).

  Further, the controller 17 calculates a pressure difference (P3) between P1 stored in step S407 and P2 stored in step S412 (step S413).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 detects the source gas flow rate (Q2) when operating at the operation amount U2 from the relationship between the operation amount and the flow rate stored in advance and the pressure in the source gas supply path 12 stored in advance. The pressure loss (P4) at the flow rate Q2 is read from the relationship between the flow rate (Q) flowing through the upstream path to the container 13 and the pressure loss (P) (step S414).

  Subsequently, the controller 17 compares the pressure difference P3 obtained in step S413 with the pressure loss P4 obtained in step S414 (step S415).

Subsequently, P3 and P4 are compared, and it is determined whether or not the difference is within a predetermined range (step S416). When it is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S416), the process proceeds to step S417, where it is determined that the gas supplier 14 is normal, and the operation of the gas supplier 14 is continued (step S419). When it is outside the predetermined range (No in step S416), the process proceeds to step S418, where it is determined that the gas supply device 14 is abnormal and the operation of the gas supply device 14 is stopped (step S420).

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the hydrogen generation system 100 uses the hydrogen generator 11, the pressure detector 13, the source gas shutoff valve 15, and the flow rate of the source gas as the manipulated variable without using a flow meter. A gas supply device 14 and a controller 17 that can be adjusted are provided, and the controller 17 is measured by the pressure detector 13 in a state in which the gas supply device is zero and there is no raw material gas flow to the hydrogen generator. 1 pressure P1, and the second pressure P2 measured by the pressure detector 13 when the gas supply device operates at the operation amount U2 and the pressure difference P3 are calculated, and the operation amount stored in advance is calculated. Compared with P4 obtained from the relationship between the flow rate and the flow rate and the pressure loss, and without directly measuring the raw material gas flow rate, it is possible to start from the standby state of the hydrogen generation system only with the operation amount and pressure measurement items. When transitioning to the startup state Abnormality determination of the scan feeder 14, and notifies the abnormality, or it is possible to stop the operation.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the second modification of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the hydrogen generation system 100 of this modification is configured to include a pressure regulator 31 at a position upstream of the pressure detector 13 in the source gas supply path 12.

  The pressure regulator 31 may have any configuration as long as the supply pressure of the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generation system 100 can be constantly adjusted. For example, based on the value detected by the gas governor or the pressure detector 13. You may comprise with the proportional valve etc. which adjust 1st pressure.

  By arranging the pressure regulator 31 as shown in FIG. 8, even when a pressure fluctuation occurs in the gas supply system to which the hydrogen generation system is connected, the influence on the pressure value detected by the pressure detector can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting an abnormality of the gas supply device.

  In addition, you may comprise the fuel cell system provided with the hydrogen generation system which concerns on this invention, and the fuel cell which produces electric power using the fuel gas and oxidant gas which are supplied from a hydrogen generation system.

  As described above, the hydrogen generation system according to the present invention can determine the abnormality of the gas supplier even when the flow meter is not arranged, and can notify the abnormality or stop the operation. The present invention can be applied to the use of equipment that uses fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generation system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Hydrogen generator 12 Raw material gas supply path 13 Pressure detector 14 Gas supply 15 Raw material gas cutoff valve 16 Fuel gas supply path 17 Controller 20 Combustor 21 Combustion gas path 22 Combustion gas cutoff valve 23 Combustion exhaust gas path 31 Pressure regulator 100 Hydrogen generation system

Claims (8)

A hydrogen generator for reforming a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen;
A source gas path connected to the hydrogen generator for supplying the source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A fuel gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and leading out the fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas path;
A gas supplier that is disposed on the source gas path and supplies the source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A controller;
With
The controller includes the first pressure detected by the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is a first operation amount and the pressure detector when the operation amount of the gas supply device is a second operation amount. The operation of the gas supply device is stopped, the abnormality is determined, or the abnormality is notified based on the difference between the second pressure detected by the first operation amount and the second operation amount. Performing at least one action of
Hydrogen generation system. Further comprising a shutoff valve disposed in at least one of the source gas path between the hydrogen generator and the pressure detector, and the fuel gas path, for shutting off the supply of the source gas,
The controller closes the shut-off valve in the starting step, sets the first operation amount to zero, sets a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the first operation amount, and the second operation amount. Based on the operation amount, at least one of the operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining the abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed.
Hydrogen generation system. The gas supply device is a constant volume pump capable of calculating the supply amount of the source gas based on an operation amount.
The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1 or 2. The controller, when the first pressure detected by the pressure detector is within a predetermined pressure fluctuation range for a predetermined time or more, and the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, Based on the first operation amount and the second operation amount, at least one of the operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining the abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed.
The hydrogen generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The hydrogen generator includes a combustor that combusts at least one of the source gas and the fuel gas,
The controller includes a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the first operation amount, and the second operation when the gas supply is operating and the combustor is combusting. Based on the amount, at least one operation of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying the abnormality is performed.
The hydrogen generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A pressure regulator that is arranged upstream of the pressure detector on the source gas path and adjusts the pressure of the source gas to a predetermined value;
The hydrogen generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The hydrogen generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A fuel cell that generates power using the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied from the hydrogen generation system;
A fuel cell system comprising: A hydrogen generator for reforming a raw material gas containing hydrocarbons to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen;
The source gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and for supplying the source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A fuel gas path connected to the hydrogen generator and leading out the fuel gas generated by the hydrogen generator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the source gas in the source gas path;
A gas supplier that is disposed on the source gas path and supplies the source gas to the hydrogen generator;
A method for operating a hydrogen generation system comprising:
The pressure detector detecting a first pressure when the operation amount of the gas supply device is a first operation amount;
When the operation amount of the gas supply device is a second operation amount, the step of detecting the second pressure by the pressure detector;
Calculating a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;
Based on the first operation amount, the second operation amount, and the pressure difference of the gas supply device, at least one of stopping the operation of the gas supply device, determining an abnormality, or notifying an abnormality. Performing two operations;
A method for operating a hydrogen generation system comprising:

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