JP2015151561A - Hydrogen production device, and operation method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide power to all cells without providing a special dedicated constant voltage source even when energy serving as an output source of a power source is lowered, in a case that the power source derived from a renewable energy is used as a power supply source for electrolysis.SOLUTION: When an energy as output sources of power sources A, B for water electrolysis of a hydrogen production device 1 is equal to or more than a predetermined value, relays a6, b1 are turned on, and when an energy as the output sources of power sources A, B is less than the predetermined value, the relays a6, b1 are turned off, and relays a5, b2 are turned on, and power is supplied to cell stacks St1-St5 from the power source A, and power is supplied to cell stacks St2-St6 from the power source B.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen production apparatus for producing high-pressure hydrogen using a solid polymer type water electrolysis cell, or a reversible cell in which a solid polymer type water electrolysis apparatus and a fuel cell are integrated, and its operation. It is about the method.

  During water electrolysis operation of a solid polymer water electrolysis cell or a reversible cell (hereinafter simply referred to as “reversible cell”) in which a water electrolysis device of the same shape and a fuel cell are integrated, the pressure of the gas generated from the cell is reduced. By adjusting, hydrogen and oxygen gas up to several tens of MPa can be produced without using a booster. However, since the polymer membrane that separates the hydrogen side and the oxygen side has gas permeation, when the amount of power for electrolysis operation is small, the pressure on the hydrogen side is high, so the gas permeation causes hydrogen on the oxygen side. There was a problem that the concentration continued to rise and eventually led to cell damage.

  That is, inside the cell, there is gas permeation through the polymer film according to the gas partial pressure difference between the electrodes, so if the amount of gas generated by electrolysis is small relative to the permeation amount, the hydrogen concentration on the oxygen side or the oxygen side Is set to high pressure with a pump or the like, the oxygen concentration on the hydrogen side increases. If the hydrogen concentration on the oxygen side reaches 4% of the lower explosion limit concentration, even if there is no abnormality in the cell itself, a combustion reaction may occur on the catalyst and the cell may be damaged.

  As a technique already proposed for preventing this, there is a “hydrogen production method and hydrogen production system” (Patent Document 1). In this technology, the amount of hydrogen and oxygen held in the device is reduced by using an electrolysis cell that is resistant to the differential pressure between electrodes, and the time required for hydrogen to reach the rated pressure when the device is started up and the input power is reduced. As well as reducing hydrogen emissions when the system is stopped, energy wasted is reduced. And since the electrolysis cell which has a pressure difference resistance between electrodes is used, the above-mentioned damage of the cell was suppressed.

However, even when such a prior art is used, when the operating load (= current density) is lower than a certain threshold value (Patent Document 1 describes that the current density is less than 0.15 A / cm ² ). Since the hydrogen concentration on the oxygen side increases, it is necessary to stop the operation once and discharge high-pressure hydrogen gas required for pressurization in the apparatus system out of the system. In particular, when a power source derived from solar power generation or wind power generation is used as a power supply source for electrolysis, such a situation is expected because the voltage of the power supply source varies depending on the weather.
In this regard, for example, it has been proposed to reduce the number of cells to be used as necessary so that the maximum output of the solar radiation amount can be used for water electrolysis operation in accordance with the variation of the solar radiation amount (Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-111981 JP 2001-335982 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 2, when the amount of solar radiation that is an output source (energy source) of photovoltaic power generation is reduced, a cell is generated in which no electric power is supplied and no electrolytic operation is performed. In this case, since there is no gas generation due to electrolysis (oxygen generation on the oxygen side) in a cell that does not perform electrolysis operation, there is a problem that the oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the cell increases due to gas permeation as described above. . In order to prevent this, for example, there is a method of returning permeated hydrogen to the hydrogen side by applying a constant voltage to a cell that is not electrolyzed, but this method also requires a separate dedicated constant voltage power supply. There was a problem of not becoming.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and when a power source derived from renewable energy such as solar power generation or wind power generation is used as a power supply source for electrolysis, an output source of the power source ( Even if the amount of energy that is the energy source), for example, the amount of solar radiation and wind speed, is reduced, power is supplied to all cells without the need for a special-purpose constant voltage power supply. Further, the object is to make it possible to use the maximum electric power for the electrolysis operation in accordance with the fluctuation of the energy.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hydrogen production apparatus using a solid polymer water electrolysis cell or a reversible cell in which a solid polymer water electrolysis device and a fuel cell are integrated,
A cell stack formed by connecting the same number of the cells in series, a cell stack block formed by connecting a plurality of the cell stacks in series, and a first power supply that can supply power in parallel to the cell stack block. A direct current power source and a second direct current power source,
The first DC power source and the second DC power source have a cathode side connected to a cathode side terminal portion located at one end portion of the cell stack block, and an anode side located at the other end portion of the cell stack block. The first DC power source is connected to the anode side terminal portion, and the anode side of the first DC power source is connected in parallel via the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block and the electrode portion positioned between the cell stacks, respectively, via a relay. The cathode side of the second DC power source is connected in parallel with the cathode side terminal part of the cell stack block and the electrode part located between the cell stacks via relays, respectively. It is characterized by being.

According to the present invention, when the magnitude of energy serving as an output source (energy source) of the first DC power source and the second DC power source is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude, the first DC power source is the cell. The relay of the anode side terminal portion of the stack block may be turned on, and the second DC power source may be turned on of the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block. And when the magnitude | size of the energy used as the output source (energy source) of said 1st DC power supply and 2nd DC power supply falls below predetermined, said 1st DC power supply is the anode of said cell stack block The relay of the side terminal part is turned off, the relay of the electrode part located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block is turned on, and the second DC power supply is connected to the cathode side terminal part of the cell stack block. A cell stack that turns off the relay, turns on the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block, and supplies power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source, If the same number is reduced from each terminal side, the current from the first DC power source or the second DC power source flows through the cell stack located on the end side of both poles. The cell stack of the central portion, it is possible to flow a current which is the sum of them. Therefore, for example, when the first DC power source and the second DC power source are derived from photovoltaic power generation, even if the amount of solar radiation is reduced, current flows through all the cell stacks and the maximum power at that time is used for electrolytic operation. Can be used. In addition, the magnitude | size of the energy used as the energy source of each of these power supplies can be shown by the amount of solar radiation, for example, when using solar power generation for a power supply, and can illustrate wind speed when using wind power generation. In addition, the predetermined solar radiation amount and wind speed in this case vary depending on the specifications of the water electrolysis cell and the reversible cell. For example, when power is supplied to all cell stacks, the maximum solar power and wind power at that time are Examples of values that can be used for electrolysis operation (values that can use the maximum power of solar power generation when all cell stacks are used) can be given. In this case, in the case of photovoltaic power generation, it may be set to the maximum expected solar radiation amount (for example, 1000 w / m ² ), or may be set to a value of 80% to 90% of the maximum solar radiation amount. Similarly, in the case of wind speed, it may be the design maximum wind speed in the wind power generator to be used, or may be the rated wind speed. Furthermore, it is good also as a value of 80%-90% of design maximum wind speed and a rated wind speed.

  In the present invention, the first DC power source and the second DC power source are the same power source, and the most practical effect is obtained by parallelizing the system. That is, the above-described operation and effect can be obtained even with a single power source.

A third DC power supply capable of supplying power in parallel to the cell stack block, the third DC power supply having a cathode side of a cell stack located at least in a central portion of the cell stack block Near the cathode side terminal part, that is, connected in parallel to the electrode part located on the cathode side terminal part side via a relay, the anode side is at least near the anode side terminal part of the cell stack in the central part of the cell stack block, that is, the cathode You may make it connect in parallel via the relay to the electrode part located in the side terminal part side. Accordingly, when the same number of cell stacks supplying power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source are reduced from each terminal unit side, the first DC power source is used for the central cell stack. And a current obtained by adding the currents from the second DC power source. Of course, power is not supplied to the central cell stack.
Here, the central cell stack refers to the cell stack located in the central portion of the cell stacks constituting the cell stack block, and when the number N of cell stacks constituting the cell stack block is an odd number, When one cell stack is located at the center and the number N of cell stacks constituting the cell stack block is an even number, two cell stacks are located at the center.

  Even in such a case, the third DC power source is at least the same DC power source as the first DC power source or the second DC power source, for example, the first to third power sources are all set as the same power source, The effects described above can be obtained.

  Still further, the third DC power source has a cathode side connected in parallel with a cathode side terminal located at one end of the cell stack block via a relay, and an anode side connected to the other end of the cell stack block. It may be connected in parallel via the anode side terminal part located in and a relay.

In the operation method of the present invention, the first DC power source and the second DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy, and when the magnitude of energy serving as an output source (energy source) of the power source is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The first DC power source turns on the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, and the second DC power source turns on the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as an output source (energy source) of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power source turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion positioned between the cell stacks of the cell stack block, and DC power supply, the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block is turned OFF, the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block is turned ON,
An operation method can be provided, characterized in that the same number of cell stacks supplying power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source are reduced from each terminal portion side.
Here, the renewable energy means energy obtained from wave power, tidal power, flowing water, tide, geothermal heat, biomass, etc., in addition to the above-described sunlight and wind power.

When the third DC power source is included, the first DC power source and the second DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy, and when the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is equal to or greater than a predetermined value,
The first DC power supply turns on the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, the second DC power supply turns on the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power source turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion positioned between the cell stacks of the cell stack block, and The DC power source is configured such that the cathode side terminal relay of the cell stack block is turned off, the electrode portion relays positioned between the cell stacks of the cell stack block are turned on, and the first DC power source and The same number of cell stacks that supply power from the second DC power source are reduced from each terminal side,
When power is not supplied from the first DC power source and the second DC power source to the central cell stack of the cell stack block, from the third power source to the central cell stack. Thus, a method for operating the hydrogen production apparatus, characterized by supplying electric power, can be proposed.

Furthermore, the first DC power source, the second DC power source, and the third DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy,
When the magnitude of energy serving as an output source of the power supply is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the first DC power supply turns on a relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, and the second DC power supply supplies the cell The relay of the cathode side terminal part of the stack block is turned on, and the third DC power supply turns on the relays of the anode side terminal part and the cathode side terminal part of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power supply turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block,
The second DC power supply turns off the cathode-side terminal relay of the cell stack block, turns on the electrode relay located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block,
The third DC power supply turns off the relay on either the anode side terminal portion or the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, and connects the relays between the cell stacks of the cell stack block. Turn on the relay of the electrode part located near the pole side terminal part turned off,
The same number of cell stacks supplying power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source are provided from each terminal unit side, and the same number of cell stacks supplying power from the third DC power source are provided from both terminal unit sides. It is possible to propose a method for operating a hydrogen production apparatus, which is characterized by reducing the number of cell stacks that supply electric power.

  According to the present invention, even if the amount of energy of the output source (energy source) of the power source, such as the amount of solar radiation and the wind speed, is reduced, all the cells are equipped without specially equipped constant voltage power source. On the other hand, electric power is supplied, and the maximum electric power at that time can be used for the electrolysis operation according to the fluctuation of the energy.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the structure of the hydrogen production apparatus concerning embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the cell stack block in other embodiment.

  Referring to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a hydrogen production apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In the hydrogen production apparatus 1, a plurality of known polymer water electrolysis cells are provided. The cell stack block 10 includes a plurality of cell stacks St connected and stacked in series, for example, six cell stacks St1 to St6 connected in series and stacked. The hydrogen production apparatus 1 is configured as a type of apparatus that boosts only the hydrogen side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, raw water (pure water) is supplied from a tank 31 having a gas-liquid separation function on the oxygen side to the raw water inlet X of the cell stack block 10 of the hydrogen production apparatus 1. Water electrolysis operation is performed. More specifically, water from the tank 31 is supplied to the cell stack block 10 by a pump 34 provided in the pipe 32 via a pipe 32 connected to the bottom of the tank and a pipe 33 connected to the cell stack block 10. It is supplied to the raw material water inlet X on the oxygen side. The pressure in the pipe 33 is measured by the pressure gauge P1.

  A return pipe 35 for returning a part of the water flowing in the pipe 32 to the tank 31 is connected to the pipe 32. The return pipe 35 is connected to a flow rate adjusting valve V1, a heat exchanger 36, and an ion exchange resin. A tower 37 and a filter 38 are provided, and the quality of the water in the tank 31 is maintained by treating the return water through these devices. In the tank 31, a liquid level sensor 31a for detecting the water level in the tank is provided.

  The raw water supplied from the raw water inlet X to the cell stack block 10 through the pipe 32 is electrolyzed in the cell stack block 10, and oxygen and water accompanying oxygen are supplied from the oxygen outlet Y to the tank 31 through the pipe 41. The gas is separated in the tank 31.

  Oxygen after gas-liquid separation in the tank 31 and accompanying water (mainly water vapor) are sent to a heat exchanger 43 through a pipe 42, and a cooling chiller (not shown) installed separately in the heat exchanger 43. Heat). By this heat exchange, the mixed gas of oxygen and water vapor is cooled and dehumidified, and the condensed water is returned to the tank 31 through the pipes 44 and 45. On the other hand, the oxygen after heat exchange is discharged out of the system through the pipe 44 and the discharge pipe 46. The tank 31 is supplied with raw water from the raw water supply tank 47. The replenishment amount is controlled based on the detection result from the liquid level sensor 31a.

  A pipe 51 is connected to the hydrogen outlet Z of the cell stack block 10, and this pipe 51 leads to a tank 52 having a gas-liquid separation function on the hydrogen side. The pipe 51 is provided with a pressure gauge P2. Between the tank 52 and the gas layer part of the tank 31 (the part above the liquid level of the water stored in the tank and the liquid level does not reach even if the stored liquid level rises) The pipe 53 is connected. The piping 53 is provided with an electromagnetic valve V2. In the tank 52, a liquid level sensor 52a for detecting the water level in the tank is provided.

  Hydrogen generated by water electrolysis is sent to the tank 52 through the pipe 51 together with the accompanying water, and gas-liquid separation is performed in the tank 52. The hydrogen after gas-liquid separation in the tank 52 and the accompanying water (mainly water vapor) are sent to the heat exchanger 55 through the pipe 54, and a cooling chiller (not shown) installed separately in the heat exchanger 55. Heat). By this heat exchange, the mixed gas of hydrogen and water vapor is cooled and dehumidified, and the condensed water is returned to the tank 52 through the pipes 56 and 57.

  On the other hand, the hydrogen after heat exchange is sent to the demand side or a hydrogen storage tank (high pressure vessel, not shown) through the pipes 56 and 61, for example. The pipe 61 is provided with a back pressure valve V3 and a check valve V4. A discharge pipe 62 is connected to the upstream side of the back pressure valve V3 in the pipe 61. The discharge pipe 62 is provided with an electromagnetic valve V5.

  Next, the power supply configuration of the cell stack block 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, as described above, the cell stack block 10 includes the cell stacks St1 to St6 configured by connecting and laminating a plurality of water electrolysis cells in series. Each of the cell stacks St1 to St6 has the same number of water electrolysis cells. The cell stacks St1 to St6 can be divided and supplied with power from the two power sources A and B to the cell stacks St1 to St6. The two power sources A and B are DC power sources derived from the same source, for example, solar power generation or wind power generation.

  That is, the cathode side of the power source A is fixedly connected to the cathode side terminal portion 11 located at one end of the cell stack block 10, and the anode side thereof is located between the cell stacks St <b> 1 to St <b> 6 of the cell stack block 10. The electrode parts 12 to 16 and the anode side terminal part 17 located at the other end part are connected in parallel via the relays a1 to a6.

  On the other hand, the power source B has its anode side fixedly connected to the anode side terminal portion 17 located at the other end of the cell stack block 10 and its cathode side located between the cell stacks St1 to St6 of the cell stack block 10. The electrode parts 12 to 16 and the cathode side terminal part 11 located at one end part are connected in parallel via relays b1 to b6.

  With this configuration, the cell stacks St1 to St6 can be supplied with power from both the power source A and the power source B, and supply power by switching the relays a1 to a6 and the relays b1 to b6. St1 to St6 can be reduced one by one for the power source A one by one from the side close to the anode side terminal 17, and one for the power source B one by one from the side close to the cathode electrode side terminal 11.

The hydrogen production apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has the above configuration, and the operation thereof will be described next. First, when power is supplied to all cell stacks from the power supplies A and B, which are power supply sources, when the maximum power at that time can be used for water electrolysis operation, for example, when the power supplies A and B use solar power generation, the amount of solar radiation is When wind power generation is used when wind power generation is greater than a predetermined value, when the wind speed is greater than a predetermined value, both relay a6 and relay b1 are turned on, and both power sources A and B are connected to all cell stacks St1 to St6. Power is supplied. As a result, the raw water supplied to the cell stack block 10 is electrolyzed with the maximum power that can be supplied in the amount of solar radiation. In addition, the above-mentioned predetermined solar radiation amount and wind speed are the values that can be used for water electrolysis operation when the solar radiation amount at that time and the maximum power at the wind speed are supplied to all the cell stacks St1 to St6. For example, the maximum power of photovoltaic power generation can be used. In this case, in the case of photovoltaic power generation, it may be set to the maximum expected solar radiation amount (for example, 1000 w / m ² ), or may be set to a value of 80% to 90% of the maximum solar radiation amount. Similarly, in the case of wind speed, it may be the design maximum wind speed in the wind power generator to be used, or may be the rated wind speed. Furthermore, it is good also as a value of 80%-90% of design maximum wind speed and a rated wind speed. Regarding the configuration for controlling each relay according to the amount of solar radiation, the amount of solar radiation is detected by a solarimeter installed in the vicinity of the solar power generation device, and each relay is controlled by a control device that has received information on the amount of solar radiation. do it. In addition, since the solar panel surface temperature of the photovoltaic power generator affects the output, a temperature sensor is installed on the solar panel surface, and the above relays are controlled in consideration of temperature information detected by the temperature sensor. It may be.

  That is, the water stored in the tank 31 is supplied to the cell stack block 10 by the pump 34 provided in the pipe 32, and a part thereof is bypassed to the pipe 35 in order to maintain the quality of the electrolyzed water. And by turning ON both the relay a6 and the relay b1 (the other relays a1 to a5 and the relays b2 to b6 are OFF), depending on the outputs of the power supplies A and B from the two systems of the power supplies A and B, the raw material Pure water, which is water, is electrolyzed into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions. Among them, oxygen ions become oxygen molecules on the catalyst, and are discharged out of the cell through the piping 41 from the oxygen outlet Y together with the circulating water. On the other hand, the hydrogen ions move to the hydrogen side along with the accompanying water, become hydrogen molecules on the hydrogen side catalyst, and are discharged out of the cell from the hydrogen outlet Z through the pipe 51. The discharged oxygen and hydrogen are sent to the corresponding tanks 31 and 52, respectively, for gas-liquid separation.

  The pure water separated from the gas and liquid is sent again to the cell stack block 10 through the pipe 32, while the gas separated from the gas and liquid passes through the heat exchanger 43 from the pipe 42 and passes through the pipe 44 and the discharge pipe 46. To be discharged. On the other hand, on the hydrogen side, if the system internal pressure is equal to or lower than the rated pressure, the gas stays in the system including the gas flow path in the cell stack block 10 and contributes to an increase in pressure. When the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value, hydrogen gas is released from the back pressure valve V4 and supplied to the demand side or a hydrogen storage unit (not shown). Since the water level in the tank 31 decreases due to electrolysis, pure water is supplied from the raw water supply source 47. Coordination water accompanying the movement of protons is returned to the tank 31 through the pipe 53 using the pressure in the tank 52.

  As the amount of solar radiation decreases, the number of cell stacks that supply power to both power sources A and B is reduced from the end by the same number. For example, for the power source A system, the relay a5 is turned on and power is supplied only to the cell stacks St1 to St5. For the power source B system, the relay b2 is turned on and the cell stacks St2 to St6 are connected. Only power is supplied.

Using such a control method, for example, relay control can be performed as follows according to the amount of solar radiation.
Amount of solar radiation: Relay of power supply A system, relay of power supply system B 1000 W / m ² : Relay a6 ON, relay b1 ON
900 W / m ² : Relay a5 ON, Relay b2 ON
800 W / m ² : Relay a4 ON, Relay b3 ON
700 W / m ² : Relay a3 ON, Relay b4 ON
(All other relays are OFF)

  Thus, in this embodiment, for example, even when the amount of solar radiation that is an output source (energy source) of photovoltaic power generation that is the source of the power sources A and B is reduced, at least any of the cells (cell stack St) Since power is supplied from the power sources A and B, the electrolytic current itself varies depending on the cell stack (for example, when a5: ON, b2: ON, the cell stack St1 and the cell stack St6 have The water electrolysis operation can be continued in all the cells (cell stack St), in which a lower current flows than the other cell stacks St2 to St5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in oxygen concentration on the oxygen side due to the generation of a cell in which no electrolytic operation is performed. There is also no need for a special constant voltage power supply.

  Further, when power is supplied to the four cell stacks, power is supplied from the power source A to the cell stacks St1 to St4 and the cell stack St3 is supplied from the power source B when the solar radiation amount at which the maximum power is available for water electrolysis operation. When power is supplied to .about.St6, power is supplied to all the cell stacks St1 to St6. In this case, half the current flowing through the cell stacks St3 and 4 flows through the cell stacks St1, St2, St5, and St6.

  Thus, like the hydrogen production apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, when the power supply system dividing method is applied, the solar cells having completely different current-voltage characteristics are identical when directly electrolyzing with the power of solar power generation. It can also be used as a power supply source for the stack. In this case, a constant voltage power supply is not necessary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the power supply system is divided into two systems. However, this system division can be performed according to the number of cell stacks.

  That is, in the above-described embodiment, the power source A is provided in the external circuit of the cell stack St1, and the power source B is provided in the external circuit of the cell stack St6. In this case, for example, the amount of solar radiation is further reduced to supply power. In order to reduce the number of cell stacks to be operated, if the system of the power source A is operated only by the cell stack St1 and the cell stack St2, and the system of the power source B is operated only by the cell stack St5 and the cell stack St6, the cell stacks St3 and St4 are stopped. Resulting in. In order to avoid this, as shown in FIG. 2, a power source may be provided also in the external circuit of the cell stack St3, and a dedicated power source C may be added.

  That is, a power source C which is a third DC power source capable of independently supplying power in parallel to the cell stack block 10 is prepared, and the cathode side of the cell stack block 10 is located at the center of the cell stack block 10. The cathode side terminal portion 11 of the stack St3 and the electrode portions 12 and 13 near the cathode side terminal portion 11 are connected in parallel via relays c1 to c3, and the anode side is the cell stack at the center of the cell stack block 10 The anode side terminal part 17 of St3 and the electrode parts 14, 15, 16 near the anode side terminal part 17 are connected in parallel via relays c4 to c7. Thereby, for example, by turning on the relays c3 and c5, the power can be supplied to the cell stack St3 and the cell stack St4 by the power source C system. Therefore, the cell stack to be stopped can be eliminated as in the case of dividing into the two systems shown in FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the following control can be performed. That is, when the amount of solar radiation is larger than a predetermined value, the relay a6, the relay b1, the relay c1, and c7 are turned on, and the power sources A, B, and C are connected to all the cell stacks St1 to St6. Is supplied. As the amount of solar radiation decreases, the number of cell stacks that supply power to any of the power sources A, B, and C can be reduced by the same number, and for example, relay control can be performed as follows according to the amount of solar radiation.
Solar radiation amount: Relays 1000 W / m ^{2 for} each power source A, B, C: Relays a6, b1, c1, c7 ON
900 W / m ² : Relay a5, b2, c1, c6 (or c2, c7) ON
800 W / m ² : Relays a4, b3, c2, c6 ON
700 W / m ² : Relay a3, b4, c2, c5 (or c3, c6) ON
600 W / m ² : Relays a2, b5, c3, c5 ON
(All other relays are OFF)
As a result, even when the power of the power supply source is further reduced as compared with the case where the two systems shown in FIG. 1 are divided, it is possible to supply the solar radiation at that time without generating a cell stack to be stopped. Electrolysis can be performed with maximum power.

  In the above-described example, the power sources A, B, and C are described as separate power sources derived from the same source (for example, solar power generation and wind power generation), but the power sources A, B, and C are a single power source derived from the same source. You may comprise as.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of using a water electrolysis cell was used. However, when producing high-pressure hydrogen using a reversible cell in which a solid polymer water electrolyzer and a fuel cell are integrated. Applicable.

  The present invention is useful when producing high-pressure hydrogen using a water electrolysis cell or a reversible cell.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydrogen production apparatus 10 Cell stack block 11 Cathode side terminal part 12-16 Electrode part 17 Anode side terminal part St1-St6 Cell stack A, B, C Power supply a1-a6, b1-b6, c1-c7 Relay

Claims (8)

A hydrogen production apparatus using a solid polymer type water electrolysis cell or a reversible cell in which a solid polymer type water electrolysis device and a fuel cell are integrated,
A cell stack formed by connecting the same number of cells in series;
A cell stack block formed by connecting a plurality of the cell stacks in series;
A first DC power source and a second DC power source capable of supplying power in parallel to the cell stack block,
The first DC power source and the second DC power source have a cathode side connected to a cathode side terminal portion located at one end portion of the cell stack block, and an anode side located at the other end portion of the cell stack block. Connected to the anode terminal,
The first DC power supply has an anode side connected in parallel with each other via an anode side terminal part of the cell stack block and an electrode part located between the cell stacks, respectively,
The cathode side of the second DC power source is connected in parallel to the cathode side terminal part of the cell stack block and the electrode part located between the cell stacks via relays. And hydrogen production equipment. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first DC power source and the second DC power source are the same power source. A third DC power source capable of supplying power in parallel to the cell stack block;
The third DC power source has a cathode side connected in parallel to at least an electrode portion near a cathode side terminal portion of a cell stack located in a central portion of the cell stack block via a relay, and an anode side at least of the cell 3. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen production apparatus is connected in parallel via a relay to an electrode portion near the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack at a central portion of the stack block. The cathode side of the third DC power supply is connected in parallel with a cathode side terminal portion located at one end portion of the cell stack block via a relay, and the anode side thereof is located at the other end portion of the cell stack block. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hydrogen production apparatus is connected in parallel via an anode side terminal portion and a relay. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third DC power supply is the same power supply as at least the first DC power supply or the second DC power supply. An operation method of the hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The first DC power source and the second DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy,
When the magnitude of energy serving as an output source of the power source is a predetermined value or more,
The first DC power supply turns on the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, the second DC power supply turns on the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power source turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion positioned between the cell stacks of the cell stack block, and DC power supply, the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block is turned OFF, the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block is turned ON,
A method for operating a hydrogen production apparatus, wherein the same number of cell stacks that supply power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source are reduced from each terminal side. An operation method of the hydrogen production apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The first DC power source and the second DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy,
When the magnitude of energy serving as an output source of the power source is a predetermined value or more,
The first DC power supply turns on the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, the second DC power supply turns on the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power source turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion positioned between the cell stacks of the cell stack block, and DC power supply, the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block is turned OFF, the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block is turned ON,
The cell stack that supplies power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source is reduced by the same number from each terminal portion side,
When power is not supplied from the first DC power source and the second DC power source to the central cell stack of the cell stack block, from the third power source to the central cell stack. The method for operating the hydrogen production apparatus is characterized by supplying electric power. The operation method of the hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first DC power source, the second DC power source, and the third DC power source are power sources derived from renewable energy,
When the magnitude of energy serving as an output source of the power source is a predetermined value or more,
The first DC power source turns on the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, the second DC power source turns on the relay of the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, and the third DC power source. The direct current power supply turns on the anode side terminal part and the cathode side terminal part of the cell stack block,
When the magnitude of energy serving as the output source of the power source is lower than a predetermined value,
The first DC power supply turns off the relay of the anode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, turns on the relay of the electrode portion located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block,
The second DC power supply turns off the cathode-side terminal relay of the cell stack block, turns on the electrode relay located between the cell stacks of the cell stack block,
The third DC power supply turns off the relay on either the anode side terminal portion or the cathode side terminal portion of the cell stack block, and connects the relays between the cell stacks of the cell stack block. Turn on the relay of the electrode part located near the pole side terminal part turned off,
About the cell stack that supplies power from the first DC power source and the second DC power source, from each terminal side,
The cell stack for supplying power from the third DC power supply is characterized in that the same number of cell stacks for supplying power are subtracted from both terminal portions, respectively.

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