JP2019129115A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell system in which a user can select a noise level without reducing modified water use efficiency and energy use efficiency.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 1 includes a remote control 18 used as an operation part performing a selection operation for selecting a setting 1 to setting 5 representing a plurality of reference noise levels showing the upper limit of a synthetic operating sound level L obtained by synthesizing operating sound levels (S1-S5) of an operating sound generated by operating an auxiliary machine H by a user. The output of the electric motor 22b2 of a radiator 22b is controlled so that the synthetic operating sound level L satisfies the reference noise levels (the setting 1 to the setting 5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system.

  Conventionally, for example, a fuel cell device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this conventional fuel cell device, the exhaust gas from the fuel cell and the water in the hot water storage tank are heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger, and condensed water generated by cooling the exhaust gas is collected in the condensed water tank and hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank. Is to store. And when the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank to the heat exchanger is high, the hot water is cooled by the radiator of the circulation flow path.

  Also, conventionally, for example, a fuel cell system disclosed in Patent Document 2 below is also known. In this conventional fuel cell system, the water level of the reformed water stored in the water reservoir is an abnormal level where it is difficult to pump to the reforming unit by the pump, and a normal level between the overflow level and the abnormal level, If it is between, the output of the fuel cell is reduced.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-325982 JP, 2016-177998, A

  In general, a fuel cell system is provided with a reforming section to which a mixed gas obtained by mixing reforming raw material and reformed water, which is made into steam, is provided and mixed by a steam reforming reaction that occurs inside the reforming section. The gas is reformed to generate reformed gas (fuel). Then, the generated reformed gas (fuel) and the oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell to generate power. For this reason, during the power generation operation of the fuel cell system, the raw material for reforming, reforming water, and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell, and hot water (circulating water) is condensed to generate reforming water. It is necessary to operate multiple pumps to supply the

  By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional fuel cell device (fuel cell system), the generation of condensed water in the heat exchanger (condenser) is promoted by cooling the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank by the radiator, and the utilization efficiency of the reforming water Is supposed to improve. Therefore, the efficiency of using condensed water (reformed water) is improved by increasing the cooling capacity of the radiator. Is synthesized. For this reason, the user may perceive a synthetic operation sound synthesized as a result of the operation of the accessory including the plurality of pumps and the radiator as noise, and may feel discomfort.

  On the other hand, in the conventional fuel cell system, when the water level of the reformed water stored in the water reservoir (reformed water tank) decreases, the output of the reformed water is limited by limiting the output of the fuel cell. To avoid stopping the fuel cell system. However, when the output is limited, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system may be reduced, and the energy utilization efficiency may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system capable of suppressing the noise level to a low level without reducing the utilization efficiency and energy utilization efficiency of reformed water.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of a fuel cell system according to claim 1 comprises a fuel cell generating electricity with fuel and an oxidant gas, and a reformer supplied from a supply source via a reforming material supply pipe. A fuel cell module comprising: a reforming unit for generating fuel from the raw material for use and steam obtained by evaporating the reforming water and supplying the fuel to the fuel cell; and a reforming water supply pipe to the reforming unit A reforming water tank for storing the reforming water to be supplied, combustion exhaust gas generated by burning fuel off-gas and oxidant gas from the fuel cell, and circulating water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the hot water supply pipe A condenser that condenses water vapor contained in the combustion exhaust gas by exchanging heat between them to generate condensed water, a reforming material pump that pumps the reforming material, and a reforming water pump that pumps the reforming water , Oxidant gas pump for pumping oxidant gas and pumping circulating water An auxiliary machine including at least a circulating water pump, a radiator having a cooling fan and an electric motor that drives the cooling fan, the radiator being provided in the hot water supply pipe and cooling the circulating water supplied from the hot water tank, and the radiator A fuel cell system comprising at least a control device for controlling the operation of the electric motor of the reforming material pump, the reforming water pump, the oxidant gas pump, the circulating water pump and the radiator constituting the auxiliary machine Is selected as one of a plurality of reference noise levels representing the upper limit of the combined operation sound level obtained by combining the operation sound levels which are sound pressure levels of the operation sounds generated respectively by the sound sources. The control device is provided with an operation unit where the selection operation is performed by the user, and the control device is configured such that the synthetic operation sound level is equal to or less than the reference noise level selected by the selection unit. Controlling the output of the electric motor radiator, constructed as described above.

  According to this, the user can arbitrarily select the reference noise level by the selection operation via the operation unit. Then, the control device outputs the output of the electric motor of the radiator so that the synthesized operation sound level generated by the operation of the auxiliary machine is equal to or lower than the reference noise level selected by the user (so as to satisfy the reference noise level). Can be controlled. Thereby, the radiator can cool the circulating water supplied to the condenser by operating so that the synthesized operating sound level satisfies the reference noise level selected by the user. Therefore, the fuel cell system can continue the power generation state without reducing the utilization efficiency and the energy utilization efficiency of the reforming water.

It is the schematic which shows the outline | summary of the fuel cell system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the reference | standard noise level defined for every type of area. It is a flowchart which shows the radiator operation | movement control program performed by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the duty and noise level of an auxiliary machine in the high efficiency mode of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the duty and noise level in the electric motor of the radiator of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the duty and the noise level of the auxiliary machine in the low noise mode of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the duty and noise level of an auxiliary machine in the standard mode of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the outline | summary of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the duty which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the other duty which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following embodiment and each modification, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the mutually same or equivalent part. Moreover, each figure used for description is a conceptual diagram, and the shape of each part may not necessarily be exact.

  The fuel cell system 1 includes a power generation unit 10 and a hot water tank 21 as shown in FIG. The power generation unit 10 includes a housing 10a, a fuel cell module 11, a heat exchanger 12, an inverter device 13, a water purifier 14, a reformed water tank 15, and a control device 16.

  The hot water tank 21 is a sealed and pressure resistant container. The temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 21 is basically divided into two layers having different temperatures. The upper layer is a relatively high temperature layer (eg, 50 ° C. or higher), and the lower layer is a relatively low temperature layer (eg, 20 ° C. to 40 ° C.). The upper and lower layers are at substantially the same temperature. The hot water storage tank 21 stores hot water, and is connected to a hot water circulation line 22 through which the hot water circulates (circulates in the direction of the arrow in the figure).

  The fuel cell module 11, the heat exchanger 12, the inverter device 13, the water purifier 14, the reforming water tank 15, the control device 16, and the hot water storage tank 21 are accommodated in the housing 10a. The hot water storage tank 21 may be provided separately from the power generation unit 10, that is, outside the housing 10a.

  The fuel cell module 11 is configured to include at least a reforming unit 33 and a fuel cell 34 as described later. The fuel cell module 11 is supplied with a reforming material, reforming water, and air (cathode air) as an oxidant gas (cathode gas). Examples of the reforming raw material include gaseous fuels for reforming such as natural gas and LP gas, and liquid fuels for reforming such as kerosene, gasoline and methanol. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where natural gas is used as a raw material for reforming is illustrated. Specifically, the fuel cell module 11 is connected to a supply source Gs (for example, a gas supply pipe for city gas (natural gas)) and one end of a reforming raw material supply pipe 11a to which a reforming raw material is supplied. The other end is connected to an evaporation unit 32 described later. The reforming raw material supply pipe 11 a is provided with a reforming raw material pump 11 a 1 for pressure-feeding the reforming raw material to the evaporation unit 32.

  The fuel cell module 11 has one end connected to the reforming water tank 15 and the other end of the reforming water supply pipe 11b to which the reforming water is supplied connected to the evaporation section 32 (reforming section 33). . The reforming water supply pipe 11b is provided with a reforming water pump 11b2. Further, the fuel cell module 11 has one end connected to the cathode air blower 11c1 (oxidant gas pump) and the other end of the cathode air supply pipe 11c to which cathode air (oxidant gas, eg, air) is supplied. It is connected.

  The heat exchanger 12 is supplied with combustion exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell module 11 (including exhaust heat from the reforming unit 33 and the fuel cell 34, which will be described later) and supplied with hot water from the hot water storage tank 21. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the flue gas and the stored hot water (recirculating water). The heat exchanger 12 is also a condenser that performs heat exchange between the combustion exhaust gas and the stored hot water, condenses the water vapor contained in the combustion exhaust gas, and generates condensed water. Here, the storage tank water is a heat medium (exhaust heat recovery water) that recovers the exhaust heat of the combustion exhaust gas through the heat exchanger 12.

  In the heat exchanger 12, an exhaust pipe 11d from the fuel cell module 11 is connected (penetrated). A condensed water supply pipe 12 a connected to the reforming water tank 15 via the water purifier 14 is connected to the bottom of the heat exchanger 12.

  In the heat exchanger 12 configured in this manner, the combustion exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 11 is introduced into the heat exchanger 12 through the exhaust pipe 11 d, and heat exchange is performed with the circulating hot water. Are condensed and cooled. Thereafter, the combustion exhaust gas is discharged to the outside of the housing 10a from the exhaust gas exhaust port 10d through the exhaust pipe 11d. The condensed water condensed is dropped by its own weight and supplied from the water purifier 14 to the reformed water tank 15 through the condensed water supply pipe 12a. On the other hand, the stored hot water flowing into the heat exchanger 12 is heated and flowed out toward the hot water storage tank 21. The exhaust pipe 11 d is provided with a drain pipe 12 b that branches from the downstream side of the heat exchanger 12 and communicates with the water receiving member 15 b of the reforming water tank 15.

  Here, an exhaust heat recovery system 20 is configured from the heat exchanger 12, the hot water storage tank 21 and the hot water storage water circulation line 22 described above. On the hot water storage water circulation line 22, a hot water storage water circulation pump 22a (circulating water pump), a radiator 22b and a heat exchanger 12 are disposed in order from the lower end to the upper end of the hot water storage tank 21. The exhaust heat recovery system 20 recovers and stores exhaust heat of the fuel cell module 11 in stored hot water. The hot water circulation pump 22 a pumps hot water from the lower layer of the hot water tank 21 and supplies it to the heat exchanger 12 through the hot water supply pipe 22 c constituting the hot water circulation line 22.

  The radiator 22b is an air-cooled radiator having an electric motor 22b2 that rotationally drives the cooling fan 22b1 and the cooling fan 22b1, and is provided to the stored hot water supply pipe 22c. The radiator 22b cools the hot water supplied from the hot water circulating pump 22a toward the heat exchanger 12 with its operation controlled by the control device 16 as will be described later.

  The inverter device 13 receives DC power (voltage) output from the fuel cell 34 and converts it into predetermined AC power (voltage), and then converts to an AC system power supply 17a and an external power load 17c (for example, an appliance or a lighting fixture). Etc.) is output to the power supply line 17b. The inverter device 13 is a power conversion device that converts DC power supplied from the fuel cell 34 into AC power. The external power load 17c is a load device to which the power from the system power supply 17a and the power from the inverter device 13 are supplied. The inverter device 13 receives AC power (voltage) from the system power supply 17a through the power supply line 17b and converts it into predetermined DC power (voltage). The reforming material pump 11a1 and the reforming water pump 11b2 It outputs to the auxiliary device H including the cathode air blower 11c1, the hot water storage water circulation pump 22a, and the radiator 22b, and the control device 16.

  The water purifier 14 purifies condensed water with an ion exchange resin. The water purifier 14 is in communication with the reforming water tank 15 so that purified condensed water is supplied to the reforming water tank 15.

  The reformed water tank 15 stores the condensed water supplied from the water purifier 14 as the reformed water supplied to the reforming unit 33 via the evaporation unit 32. When the supplied condensed water overflows, the reformed water tank 15 is received by the water receiving member 15b through the overflow line 15a and drained from the drain pipe 15c to the outside of the housing 10a.

  In the reforming water tank 15, a water level sensor 15d for detecting the amount of reforming water stored in the reforming water tank 15 (water level: hereinafter also referred to as “tank water level”) is disposed. . Here, the water level sensor 15d is, for example, a float type sensor, which converts the vertical amount of the float into a resistance value using a variable resistor (potentiometer) and detects the water level (residual water amount) by the vertical movement of the resistance value. It is a sensor.

  The control device 16 operates the accessory H including at least the above-described radiator 22 b to control the operation of the fuel cell system 1 in a centralized manner. The control device 16 has a microcomputer (not shown). The microcomputer comprises an input / output interface, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM and a timer (all not shown) connected respectively via a bus. The CPU carries out integrated operation of the fuel cell system 1. The RAM temporarily stores variables necessary for executing various programs including a radiator operation control program, which will be described later, and the ROM stores various programs including a radiator operation control program, which will be described later.

  A remote controller 18 as an operation unit is connected to the control device 16 by wire or wirelessly. The remote control 18 is operated by the user. The user selects and operates the remote controller 18 to perform a “high efficiency mode” described later, a “low noise mode” described later, or a “standard mode” described later that does not correspond to the “high efficiency mode” and the “low noise mode”. Can be selected arbitrarily.

  The fuel cell module 11 further includes a casing 31, an evaporation unit 32, a reforming unit 33, and a fuel cell 34. The casing 31 is formed of a heat insulating material in a box shape. The evaporation unit 32 is heated by a combustion gas described later, evaporates the supplied reforming water to generate steam, and preheats the supplied reforming raw material. The evaporation unit 32 mixes the water vapor thus generated and the preheated reforming raw material, and supplies the mixture to the reforming unit 33.

  The evaporating unit 32 is connected to a reforming material supply pipe 11 a having one end connected to the supply source Gs. Further, the evaporation unit 32 is connected to the other end of the reforming water supply pipe 11 b whose one end (lower end) is connected to the reforming water tank 15.

  The reforming unit 33 is heated by a combustion gas to be described later and supplied with heat necessary for the steam reforming reaction, so that the reforming unit 33 contains steam from the mixed gas (reforming raw material, steam) supplied from the evaporation unit 32. A reformed gas (anode gas) is generated and led out from the reformed gas delivery pipe 38. The reforming section 33 is filled with a catalyst (for example, Ru or Ni-based catalyst), and the mixed gas reacts with the catalyst to be reformed to generate a gas containing hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. (Steam reforming reaction). The reformed gas contains hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam, unreformed natural gas (methane gas), and reformed water (steam) that has not been used for reforming. Thus, the reforming unit 33 generates a reformed gas (fuel) from the reforming raw material (raw fuel) and the reformed water, and supplies the reformed gas to the fuel cell 34. The steam reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction.

  The fuel cell 34 is configured by stacking a fuel electrode, an air electrode (oxidant electrode), and a plurality of cells 34a made of an electrolyte interposed between the two electrodes. The fuel cell 34 of the present embodiment is a solid oxide fuel cell, and uses zirconium oxide, which is a type of solid oxide, as an electrolyte. The fuel electrode of the fuel cell 34 is supplied with a reformed gas as fuel, that is, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane gas or the like. The operating temperature is about 400 to 1000 ° C. It should be noted that the power generation amount below the rating is possible even at 400 ° C. or lower. It also permits the start of power generation at 600 ° C. Not only hydrogen but also natural gas and coal gas can be used directly as fuel. In this case, the reforming unit 33 can be omitted.

  On the fuel electrode side of the cell 34a, a fuel flow passage 34b is formed through which a reformed gas (anode gas), which is a fuel, flows. An air flow path 34c through which air (cathode air) that is an oxidant gas (cathode gas) flows is formed on the air electrode side of the cell 34a.

  The fuel cell 34 is provided on the manifold 35. The reformed gas (anode gas) from the reforming unit 33 is supplied to the manifold 35 via the reformed gas delivery pipe 38. The lower end (one end) of the fuel flow path 34b is connected to the fuel outlet of the manifold 35, and the reformed gas led out from the fuel outlet is introduced from the lower end and led out from the upper end. . The cathode air sent out by the cathode air blower 11c1 is supplied via the cathode air supply pipe 11c, introduced from the lower end of the air flow path 34c, and led out from the upper end.

  The cathode air blower 11c1 is driven by the electric motor 11c2, and the drive duty of the electric motor 11c2 is calculated by the control device 16. The flow rate sensor 11c3 provided on the downstream side of the cathode air blower 11c1 of the cathode air supply pipe 11c detects the cathode air flow rate discharged from the cathode air blower 11c1. The flow rate sensor 11 c 3 is configured to transmit the detection result to the control device 16.

In the fuel cell 34, power generation is performed by the reformed gas (anode gas), which is the fuel supplied to the fuel electrode, and the oxidant gas (cathode gas) supplied to the air electrode. That is, in the fuel electrode, reactions shown in the following chemical formula 1 and chemical formula 2 occur, and in the air electrode, a reaction shown in chemical formula 3 below occurs. Specifically, oxide ions (O ²⁻ ) generated at the air electrode permeate the electrolyte and react with hydrogen at the fuel electrode to generate electrical energy. Then, the reformed gas and the oxidant gas which are not used for the power generation are led out from the fuel flow path 34b and the air flow path 34c. Water (H ₂ O) generated in the fuel cell 34 by the reaction is delivered to the reforming water tank 15 via the water purifier 14.
(Formula 1)
H ₂ + O ^2- → H ₂ O + 2 e ⁻
(Formula 2)
CO + O ^2- → CO ₂ + 2 e ⁻
(Formula 3)
^{_{1 / 2O 2 + 2e - →}} O 2-

  The reformed gas (anode offgas as fuel offgas) that has not been used for power generation is led out from the fuel flow path 34b to the combustion section 36 (a space formed between the fuel cell 34 and the reforming section 33). Similarly, oxidant gas (cathode off-gas as cathode air) that has not been used for power generation is led out to the combustion section 36 from the air flow path 34c. In the combustion unit 36, the anode off gas is combusted by the cathode off gas, and the evaporation unit 32 and the reforming unit 33 are heated by the combustion gas (flame 37). Furthermore, the inside of the fuel cell module 11 is heated to the operating temperature.

  The combustion unit 36 is provided with a pair of ignition heaters 36a1 and 36a2 for igniting the anode off gas. Combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustion unit 36 reaches the heat exchanger 12 from the fuel cell module 11 through the exhaust pipe 11d together with water generated in the fuel cell 34 by an electrochemical reaction.

  When activating the fuel cell system 1, the controller 16 executes the warm-up mode prior to the power generation mode. In the warm air mode, the control device 16 drives the reforming raw material pump 11a1 to drive the reforming raw material through the reforming raw material supply pipe 11a, the evaporation unit 32, the reforming unit 33, and the fuel cell of the fuel cell module 11 The fuel is supplied to the combustion unit 36 from 34. The control device 16 also operates the cathode air blower 11c1, and supplies air (cathode gas), which is an oxidant gas, to the combustion unit 36 via the air electrode of the cell 34a of the fuel cell module 11 via the air flow path 34c. . Then, when the ignition heaters 36a1 and 36a2 are ignited, the reforming raw material is burned by the air in the combustion unit 36. The evaporation unit 32, the reforming unit 33, and the fuel cell 34 are heated by the combustion heat in the combustion unit 36. When the evaporation unit 32, the reforming unit 33, and the fuel cell 34 are heated to a predetermined temperature range, the control device 16 starts the reforming reaction in the reforming unit 33 by operating the reforming water pump 11b2. Exit warm-up mode and shift to power generation mode.

  When the control device 16 operates the reforming water pump 11b2, the reforming water in the reforming water tank 15 is supplied to the evaporation unit 32 via the reforming water supply pipe 11b. The reformed water is heated by the evaporating unit 32 to become water vapor. The steam moves to the reforming unit 33 together with the reforming material supplied from the reforming material supply pipe 11a. In the reforming section 33, the reforming raw material is reformed with steam to become an anode gas (hydrogen-containing gas) that is a reformed gas containing steam (endothermic reaction). The anode gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of the cell 34a of the fuel cell 34 via the fuel flow passage 34b. Further, the cathode air blower 11c1 is activated, and cathode gas (air) is supplied to the air electrode of the cell 34a through the air flow path 34c. Thereby, the fuel cell 34 (fuel cell module 11) generates power.

  In the warm air mode and the power generation mode, the high temperature flue gas generated in the fuel cell module 11 is condensed with the water generated in the fuel cell 34 by the electrochemical reaction via the exhaust pipe 11 d (heat exchanger 12 (condenser ). Since the water vapor contained in the high-temperature combustion exhaust gas is cooled by the heat exchanger 12 (condenser), it is condensed and becomes condensed water, and the condensed water supply pipe together with the water generated in the fuel cell 34 by the electrochemical reaction. It is supplied to the reforming water tank 15 via 12a.

  The housing 10a has an intake port 10b for sucking outside air, a ventilation exhaust port 10c for discharging air inside the housing 10a to the outside, and a combustion exhaust gas from the heat exchanger 12 to the outside. A flue gas exhaust port 10d is formed. A check valve 54 is provided at the intake port 10b. The check valve 54 allows the flow of air from the outside into the housing 10a but restricts the flow in the reverse direction.

  A ventilation fan 55 as an accessory H driven by an electric motor is provided at the ventilation exhaust port 10c. The ventilation fan 55 is for delivering the air (ventilated exhaust) in the housing 10a to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, tap water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 21 from a water supply pipe 42 connected to a high-pressure water supply source Sw (for example, a water pipe) via a pressure reducing valve 41. The temperature of the tap water is measured by a water temperature measuring device 67 provided in the water supply pipe 42, such as a thermistor, and is output to the control device 16. The hot water storage tank 21 stores, for example, hot water adjusted to 70 ° C. that has been heated and generated by exhaust heat recovery by the hot water storage water circulation line 22 described above.

  The hot water of the hot water storage tank 21 flows into the mixing valve 62 from the hot water supply pipe 61. The mixing valve 62 is connected via the water supply pipe 42 and the water supply pipe 42 a. The mixing valve 62 adjusts the hot water / water mixing ratio between hot water flowing from the hot water storage tank 21 through the hot water supply pipe 61 and water flowing from the high pressure water supply source Sw through the water supply pipe 42 and the water supply pipe 42a. The mixed water adjusted to a set temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water of the hot water storage tank 21, for example, 30 ° C. is generated. The mixed hot water is connected to the water supply side of the water heater Wh via the mixed hot water supply pipe 63. The water heater Wh directly or heats the mixed water supplied from the mixed water supply pipe 63 to supply hot water from the hot water supply plug 69.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bypass passage 64 that connects the water supply pipe 42 to the mixed hot water supply pipe 63 is provided with a normally open electromagnetic on-off valve 65 that is open when not energized. The electromagnetic on-off valve 65 can not be mixed (controlled) with hot water and water due to a failure of the mixing valve 62 or the control system of the mixing valve 62, for example, and the temperature of the mixed hot water in the mixing hot water supply pipe 63 rises. When the mixing water upper limit temperature (for example, 50 ° C.) is exceeded, the control device 16 switches to the open state. The electromagnetic on-off valve 65 is opened, and water is introduced from the water supply pipe 42 to the mixed hot water supply pipe 63, thereby lowering the temperature of the mixed hot water in the mixed hot water supply pipe 63 and preventing abnormally high temperature hot water. The temperature of the mixed hot water is measured by a hot water temperature measuring device 66 provided downstream of the joining portion of the mixed hot water supply pipe 63 with the bypass passage 64, for example, a thermistor or the like, and is output to the control device 16.

  By the way, as described above, when the fuel cell module 11 generates power, the reforming water is indispensable for generating the reformed gas (anode gas) in the reforming unit 33. Therefore, in order to be able to supply the reforming water to the reforming unit 33, it is necessary that the reforming water tank 15 be stored with an appropriate amount of reforming water. On the other hand, in order to generate condensed water, it is effective to operate the radiator 22b to cool the stored hot water, which is the circulating water. However, if the output of the electric motor 22b2 is simply increased in order to increase the cooling efficiency of the hot water stored in the radiator 22b, the operating noise generated accordingly increases.

  Here, the fuel cell system 1 includes an operation sound generated with the operation of the reforming raw material pump 11a1, the reforming water pump 11b2, and the cathode air blower 11c1, which are indispensable auxiliary machines H for generating electric power, and hot water storage. A combined operation noise is generated by combining the operation noise generated with the operation of the radiator 22b which is the accessory H for cooling water (circulating water). Accordingly, the control device 16 efficiently generates condensed water and maintains the output of the fuel cell system 1 while considering the combined operation sound level of the combined operation sound emitted from the fuel cell system 1, the electric motor of the radiator 22b. Adjust the output of 22b2. In addition, the ventilation fan 55 which is the auxiliary machine H is intermittently operated and stopped repeatedly according to the internal temperature of the housing | casing 10a. Therefore, the electric motor of the ventilation fan 55 is excluded from the output adjustment target. Also, the ventilation fan 55 can be a sound source because it generates an operation sound upon operation, but in the following description, the ventilation fan 55 is excluded from the sound source.

  The operating sound (noise) generated by the equipment including the fuel cell system 1 installed in a house or the like needs to satisfy a reference value that is predetermined according to the installation location (installation area) of the equipment (for example, the environment) Ministry's website (http://www.env.go.jp/kijun/oto1-1.html). Therefore, when the fuel cell system 1 is newly installed or relocated, for example, a daytime reference value and a nighttime reference value corresponding to the installation location (installation area) are set in the control device 16 by the installation operator or the like. In the following description, the set reference value is referred to as “reference noise level”.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the location (area) where the fuel cell system 1 is installed corresponds to “AA” as a type of area determined by the Ministry of the Environment, the daytime (for example, morning The reference noise level at 6 o'clock to 10 o'clock is set to 50 decibels or less, and the reference noise level at night (for example, from 10 pm to 6 am on the next day) is set to 40 decibels or less. When the location (area) where the fuel cell system 1 is installed corresponds to “A and B”, the daytime reference noise level is set to 55 dB or less, and the nighttime reference noise level is set to 45 dB or less. Is done. Furthermore, when the location (area) where the fuel cell system 1 is installed corresponds to “C”, the reference noise level during the day is set to 60 dB or less, and the reference noise level during the night is set to 50 dB or less. .

  In addition, as a type of area, “AA” is an area that requires special tranquility such as an area where medical facilities and social welfare facilities are gathered, and “A” is an area that is exclusively used for residence. It is divided. Also, as a type of area, "B" is an area mainly used for housing, and "C" is classified as an area used for commerce, industry, etc. together with a considerable number of residences. .

  As described above, the control device 16 operates the electric power of the radiator 22b so that the combined operation sound level of the fuel cell system 1 satisfies the reference noise levels set in the daytime and nighttime in a state where the reference noise level is set. Adjust the output of the motor 22b2. For this reason, the control device 16 (more specifically, the microcomputer) executes a radiator operation control program shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this radiator operation control program will be specifically described. In the following description, the case where the fuel cell system 1 is installed in “AA” as an area type will be described as an example. However, “A”, “B”, “ When installed at C, the same applies except that the reference noise level is different.

  The control device 16 (microcomputer) starts the execution of the program in step 100, and in the subsequent step 101, "high efficiency mode", "low noise mode" and "standard mode" by the user's selection operation on the remote control 18. It is determined whether any one of the modes is selected. That is, if any one of the "high efficiency mode", the "low noise mode" and the "standard mode" is selected, the control device 16 determines "Yes" and proceeds to step 102. On the other hand, if any of the “high efficiency mode”, “low noise mode”, and “standard mode” is not selected, the control device 16 determines “No” and proceeds to step 113. When the mode is not selected, the control device 16 operates the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b as in the “standard mode” as will be described later.

  In step 102, the control device 16 determines the mode selected by the user. Specifically, when the mode selected by the user is the "high efficiency mode", the control device 16 executes each step processing of step 103 to step 107. In addition, when the mode selected by the user is the "low noise mode", the control device 16 executes each step processing of step 108 to step 112. Furthermore, when the mode selected by the user is the “standard mode”, the control device 16 executes each step processing of step 113 to step 115. Hereinafter, description will be made in order from the case where the “high efficiency mode” is selected.

When “High Efficiency Mode” is selected “High Efficiency Mode” is a mode for continuing normal operation in the fuel cell system 1 without causing system shutdown and output limitation due to lack of reforming water. is there. That is, when the “high efficiency mode” is selected, the fuel cell system 1 has the combined operation noise level equal to or less than the reference noise level which is the first reference noise level set as described above, and the reformed water It operates with high recovery efficiency of condensed water and high power generation efficiency.

  Therefore, when the “high efficiency mode” is selected, the control device 16 determines “Yes” in step 103 if the current time is daytime (for example, 6 am to 10 pm). Then, the process proceeds to step 104. On the other hand, if the current time is night (for example, 10:00 pm to 6 am the next day), the control device 16 determines that the result is "No" because it is not daytime, and proceeds to step 105. The control device 16 acquires the current time based on, for example, time information set in the remote control 18 or the like.

  In step 104, as described above, the control device 16 acquires 50 dB set as the daytime reference noise level (first reference noise level) of the regional type “AA” and sets it as “setting 1”. To do. As a result, the synthetic operation noise level in the daytime of the fuel cell system 1 has an upper limit of 50 dB, which is the “setting 1”. As described above, when the reference noise level in the daytime is set to “setting 1”, the control device 16 proceeds to step 106.

  On the other hand, if the current time is nighttime in step 103, the control device 16 sets 40 dB as the nighttime reference noise level (first reference noise level) of the regional type “AA” in step 105. Is acquired and set as “setting 2”. As a result, the combined operating noise level at night of the fuel cell system 1 has an upper limit of 40 dB, which is the “setting 2”. As described above, when the reference noise level at night is set to “setting 2”, the control device 16 proceeds to step 106.

  Here, the user uses the remote control 18 to select and operate the “high efficiency mode”, whereby the control device 16 automatically sets “setting 1” and “setting 2” according to the current time. . That is, the selection of the “high efficiency mode” by the user corresponds to the selection of “setting 1” and “setting 2” corresponding to the reference noise level representing the upper limit of the synthesized operating sound level.

In step 106, the control device 16 synthesizes the operating sound level that is the sound pressure level of the operating sound generated when the fuel cell system 1, that is, the auxiliary device H serving as the sound source, is operated according to the following formula 1. The operation of the radiator 22b that is permitted so that the operation noise level becomes the setting 1 (50 dB or less in the daytime) set in the step 104 or the setting 2 (40 dB or less in the night time) set in the step 105 Calculate the sound (operating sound level). Hereinafter, this calculation will be specifically described by taking the case of daytime (setting 1) as an example.
(Equation 1)
^{L = 10log (10 0.1L1 +10 0.1L2} +10 0.1L3 + ... + 10 0.1Ln) × D ... Formula 1

  In the equation 1, “L” on the left side represents the combined operation sound level (dB), and “L1” to “Ln” on the right side are the sound pressure levels of the operation sounds of the respective accessories H (sound source) including the radiator 22b. Represents a certain operating noise level (dB). In the present embodiment, “n” is five. Further, “D” on the right side in the equation 1 represents a correction coefficient. Here, the correction coefficient D is set, for example, in consideration of the influence of the resonance of the vibration emitted by each accessory H in the fuel cell system 1.

  For example, when the driving duty cycle (phase) of the reforming raw material pump 11a1 matches the driving duty cycle (phase) of the working reforming water pump 11b2, the reforming raw material pump 11a1 There is a high possibility that the vibration caused by the vibration and the vibration caused by the reforming water pump 11b2 resonate. In this case, since the combined operation sound level L is increased due to the occurrence of resonance, the control device 16 sets, for example, the correction coefficient D to a small value. On the other hand, when the cycle (phase) of the driving duty of the reforming material pump 11a1 that is operating does not match the cycle (phase) of the driving duty of the reforming water pump 11b2 that is operating, the reforming material pump Since there is a low possibility that the vibration due to 11a1 and the vibration due to the reforming water pump 11b2 will resonate, the control device 16 sets the correction coefficient D to a larger value than when the resonance occurs.

  As described above, in order for the fuel cell system 1 to continue the output by the normal operation, it is necessary for the fuel cell module 11 to be supplied with the reforming raw material, the cathode air and the reforming water. Therefore, during the normal operation, the reforming material pump 11a1, the cathode air blower 11c1, the reforming water pump 11b2, and the hot water circulation pump 22a need to be operated preferentially and regularly. In other words, the operation sound (operation sound level) generated with the operation of the reforming material pump 11a1, the cathode air blower 11c1, the reforming water pump 11b2, and the hot water circulating pump 22a reduces the combined operation sound level L. It is not a target for adjustment.

  On the other hand, the radiator 22b needs to operate so as to cool the stored hot water (circulated water) in order to generate condensed water in the heat exchanger 12 (condenser). There is no need to maintain a constant cooling capacity according to the temperature of the hot water or circulating water. That is, since the radiator 22b has a high degree of freedom regarding the operation, the operation sound (operation sound level) generated with the operation of the radiator 22b is an adjustment target for reducing the composite operation sound level L.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the normal operation, when the reforming raw material pump 11a1 (sound source) operates at the drive duty s1, an operating sound of an operating sound level S1 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated, and the cathode When the air blower 11c1 (sound source) operates with the driving duty s2, an operating sound level S2 (for example, about 15 dB) is generated, and when the reforming water pump 11b2 (sound source) operates with the driving duty s3, it operates. The operation sound of the sound level S3 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated, and the operation sound of the operation sound level S4 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated when the hot water circulating pump 22a (sound source) operates at the drive duty s4. Assume the case. In this case, 50 (dB), which is the reference noise level (first reference noise level), is substituted for “L” in Equation 1, and the operating sound level S1 (20 dB) of the reforming raw material pump 11a1 is assigned to “L1”. Substituting the operating sound level S2 (15 dB) of the cathode air blower 11c1 into “L2”, substituting the operating sound level S3 (20 dB) of the reforming water pump 11b2 into “L3”, and circulating hot water in “L4” By substituting the operating sound level S4 (20 dB) of the pump 22a and setting "L5" as the operating sound level S5 of the radiator 22b, Equation 1 is solved for "L5".

  Thereby, the operation sound level S5 of "L5", that is, the radiator 22b (sound source) is calculated as, for example, 50 dB. In this case, in order to facilitate understanding, the correction coefficient D is set to "1". The operating sound level S1 of the reforming raw material pump 11a1, the operating sound level S2 of the cathode air blower 11c1, the operating sound level S3 of the reforming water pump 11b2, and the operating sound level S4 of the hot water circulating pump 22a are, for example, external power It goes without saying that the change is appropriately made in accordance with the output fluctuation or the like of the fuel cell system 1 caused by the change or the like of the power consumption by the load 17c. And the control apparatus 16 will progress to step 107, if the operating sound level S5 of the radiator 22b is calculated.

  In step 107, the control device 16 refers to the radiator duty-operating sound level map indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 using the operating sound level S5 of the radiator 22b calculated in step 106, and the operating sound level S5. A radiator duty s5 for operating the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b is determined in accordance with. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, in the range where the operating sound level S5 exceeds Sa (for example, about 40 dB), the rotational speed of the radiator 22b (the cooling fan 22b1 and the electric motor 22b2) (indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5). The increase in activation noise level slows down with the increase in In other words, in the range where the operation sound level S5 exceeds Sa, the increase in the operation sound level slows even if the radiator duty s5 increases.

  For example, when the rectangular radiator duty s5 is determined, the control device 16 drives the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b with the determined radiator duty s5 via a drive circuit (not shown). Thus, the electric motor 22b2 rotates the cooling fan 22b1 to cool the stored hot water flowing through the stored hot water supply pipe 22c. Thus, when radiator duty s5 is determined and electric motor 22b2 is driven, control device 16 proceeds to step 116 and ends the execution of the radiator operation control program.

When “Low Noise Mode” is Selected Next, a case where the selected mode is “low noise mode” will be described according to the determination processing of step 102 described above. The “low noise mode” is a normal operation in the fuel cell system 1 with the combined operation noise level L reduced as compared to the “high efficiency mode” without causing a system stop and output limitation due to a lack of reforming water. It is a mode for continuing. That is, when the "low noise mode" is selected, the fuel cell system 1 sets the combined operation noise level lower than the second reference noise level lower than the first reference noise level as the reference noise level set as described above. Operate with

  Therefore, when the "low noise mode" is selected, the control device 16 determines "Yes" in step 108 if the current time is daytime (for example, 6 am to 10 pm). Then, the process proceeds to step 109. On the other hand, if the current time is nighttime (for example, from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am the next day), the control device 16 determines “No” because it is not daytime, and proceeds to step 110. The control device 16 acquires the current time based on, for example, time information set in the remote control 18 or the like.

  In step 109, as described above, the control device 16 sets the second reference noise level lower than 50 dB set as the daytime reference noise level (first reference noise level) of the regional type “AA”, for example, , 45 dB as "setting 3". As a result, the synthetic operation noise level L in the daytime of the fuel cell system 1 has an upper limit of 45 dB, which is the “setting 3”. Thus, when the reference noise level (second reference noise level) in the daytime is set to "setting 3", the control device 16 proceeds to step 111.

  On the other hand, if the current time is nighttime in step 108, the control device 16 sets 40dB as the nighttime reference noise level (first reference noise level) of the regional type “AA” in step 110. A lower second reference noise level, for example, 35 dB is set as “setting 4”. As a result, the synthetic operation noise level L of the fuel cell system 1 at night is limited to 35 dB, which is the “setting 4”, as the upper limit. Thus, when the reference noise level (second reference noise level) at night is set to “setting 4”, the control device 16 proceeds to step 111.

  Here, the user uses the remote control 18 to select and operate the “low noise mode”, whereby the control device 16 automatically sets “setting 3” and “setting 4” according to the current time. . That is, selecting the "low noise mode" by the user corresponds to selecting "setting 3" and "setting 4" corresponding to the reference noise level representing the upper limit of the combined operation sound level.

  In step 111, as in step 106, the control device 16 determines that the combined operating sound level L generated by the fuel cell system 1 is set to 3 (45 dB in the daytime) set in step 109 according to the above equation 1. Or below) or the allowable operating sound (operating sound level) of the radiator 22b is calculated so as to be set to 4 set in step 110 (35 dB or less at night). Hereinafter, this calculation will be specifically described by exemplifying the case of night (setting 4).

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the normal operation, when the reforming raw material pump 11a1 is operated at the duty s1, an operating sound of the operating sound level S1 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated, and the cathode air blower 11c1 is at the duty s2. When operating, an operating sound level S2 (for example, about 15 dB) is generated, and when the reforming water pump 11b2 operates with a duty s3, an operating sound level S3 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated. Suppose that the hot water circulating pump 22a is operating at the duty s4 and is generating an operating sound of an operating sound level S4 (for example, about 20 dB). In this case, 35 (dB), which is the second reference noise level, is substituted into “L” of the equation 1, the actuation sound level S1 (20 dB) is substituted into “L1”, and the actuation sound level S2 (L2). 15 dB), the operating sound level S3 (20 dB) is assigned to “L3”, the operating sound level S4 (20 dB) is assigned to “L4”, and the operating sound level S6 (unknown number) of the radiator 22b is set to “L5”. And solve equation 1 for "L5".

  As a result, "L5", that is, the operation sound level S6 of the radiator 22b is calculated as, for example, 35 dB. Also in this case, the correction coefficient D is set to “1” to facilitate understanding. And the control apparatus 16 will progress to step 112, if the operating sound level S6 of the radiator 22b is calculated.

  In step 112, the control device 16 refers to the radiator duty-operation sound level map shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 using the operation sound level S6 of the radiator 22b calculated in step 111. Then, the control device 16 determines a radiator duty s6 for operating the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b corresponding to the operation sound level S6. For example, when the rectangular radiator duty s6 is determined, the control device 16 drives the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b with the determined radiator duty s6 via a drive circuit (not shown). Thus, the electric motor 22b2 rotates the cooling fan 22b1 to cool the stored hot water flowing through the stored hot water supply pipe 22c. As described above, when the radiator duty s6 is determined and the electric motor 22b2 is driven, the control device 16 proceeds to step 116 and ends the execution of the radiator operation control program.

  Incidentally, the operating sound level S6 of the radiator 22b in the “low noise mode” that is the second power generation state is lower than the operating sound level S5 of the radiator 22b in the “high efficiency mode” that is the first power generation state. Therefore, as is apparent from FIG. 5, the radiator duty s6 in the “low noise mode” is smaller than the radiator duty s5 in the “high efficiency mode”. As a result, the output of the electric motor 22b2 that operates at the radiator duty s6 in the “low noise mode”, that is, the second output is smaller than the output of the electric motor 22b2 that operates at the radiator duty s5 in the “high efficiency mode”. Become.

When "Standard mode" is selected (when no mode is selected)
Next, the case where the selected mode is the “standard mode” (when the mode is not selected in step 101) will be described according to the determination process of step 102. The “standard mode” is a mode in the fuel cell system 1 for continuing normal operation with a preset synthetic operation sound level L without causing system stop and output limitation due to the shortage of reforming water. is there. That is, when the "standard mode" is selected, the fuel cell system 1 operates at a preset reference noise level regardless of whether it is daytime or nighttime.

  For this reason, when the “standard mode” is selected, the control device 16 sets, for example, 40 dB, which is set in advance as the reference noise level, as the “setting 5” in step 113. As a result, the daytime and nighttime combined operation noise level L of the fuel cell system 1 has an upper limit of 40 dB, which is the “setting 5”. Thus, when the reference noise level is set to "setting 5", the control device 16 proceeds to step 114.

  Here, the user uses the remote control 18 to select and operate the “standard mode”, whereby the control device 16 automatically sets “setting 5”. That is, selecting the “standard mode” by the user corresponds to selecting “setting 5” corresponding to the reference noise level representing the upper limit of the combined operation sound level.

  In step 114, as in step 106, the control device 16 determines that the combined operation sound level L generated by the fuel cell system 1 is set to the setting 5 (daytime and nighttime) set in step 113 according to the equation 1. The allowable operating noise (operating noise level) of the radiator 22b is calculated so as to be 40 dB or less. Hereinafter, this calculation will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the normal operation, when the reforming raw material pump 11a1 operates at the duty s1, an operating sound level S1 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated, and the cathode air blower 11c1 has the duty s2. When operating, an operating sound level S2 (for example, about 15 dB) is generated, and when the reforming water pump 11b2 operates with a duty s3, an operating sound level S3 (for example, about 20 dB) is generated. Suppose that the hot water circulating pump 22a is operating at the duty s4 and is generating an operating sound of an operating sound level S4 (for example, about 20 dB). In this case, 40 (dB), which is the reference noise level, is substituted for “L” in Equation 1, the working sound level S1 (20 dB) is substituted for “L1”, and the working sound level S2 (15 dB) is substituted for “L2”. Is substituted, and the operating sound level S3 (20 dB) is substituted for “L3”, the operating sound level S4 (20 dB) is substituted for “L4”, and the operating sound level S7 (unknown number) of the radiator 22b is substituted for “L5”. And solve equation 1 for "L5".

  Accordingly, “L5”, that is, the operating sound level S7 of the radiator 22b is calculated as, for example, 40 dB. In this case as well, the correction coefficient D is set to “1” for easy understanding. And the control apparatus 16 will progress to step 115, if the operating sound level S7 of the radiator 22b is calculated.

  In step 115, the control device 16 refers to the radiator duty-operating sound level map indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 using the operating sound level S7 of the radiator 22b calculated in step 114. And the control apparatus 16 determines the radiator duty s7 which operates the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b corresponding to the operation sound level S7. For example, when the rectangular radiator duty s7 is determined, the control device 16 drives the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b with the determined radiator duty s7 via a drive circuit (not shown). Thereby, electric motor 22b2 rotates cooling fan 22b1, and cools the hot water stored in the hot water supply pipe 22c. Thus, when radiator duty s7 is determined and electric motor 22b2 is driven, control device 16 proceeds to step 116 and ends the execution of the radiator operation control program.

  As can be understood from the above description, the fuel cell system 1 of the above embodiment includes a fuel cell 34 that generates power using fuel (anode gas) and oxidant gas (cathode gas), and a reforming material from a supply source Gs. A reforming unit 33 that generates fuel (anode gas) from the reforming raw material supplied through the supply pipe 11a and the water vapor obtained by evaporating the reformed water and supplies the fuel to the fuel cell 34. The fuel cell module 11, the reforming water tank 15 for storing the reforming water supplied to the reforming unit 33 via the reforming water supply pipe 11 b, and the fuel off-gas and oxidant gas from the fuel cell 34 are burned. Heat exchange is performed between the generated combustion exhaust gas and the stored hot water as circulating water supplied from the hot water storage tank 21 through the stored hot water supply pipe 22c to condense the water vapor contained in the combustion exhaust gas to produce condensed water. As a condenser The heat exchanger 12 and a plurality of pumps for pumping the reforming raw material, reforming water, oxidant gas and circulating water, specifically, reforming from the supply source Gs provided in the reforming raw material supply pipe 11a A reforming material pump 11a1 that pumps the reforming material to the section 33, a reforming water pump 11b2 that is provided in the reforming water supply pipe 11b and pumps the reforming water from the reforming water tank 15 to the reforming section 33, A cathode air blower 11c1 as an oxidant gas pump for pressure-feeding an oxidant gas (cathode gas) to the fuel cell 34, and a circulation provided for the stored water supply pipe 22c to pump stored water from the hot water storage tank 21 to the heat exchanger 12. A hot water circulating pump 22a serving as a water pump, a cooling fan 22b1, and an electric motor 22b2 for driving the cooling fan 22b1 are provided in the hot water supply pipe 22c to supply hot water supplied from the hot water tank 21. A radiator 22b for retirement, at least including auxiliary equipment H to a control unit 16 which at least controls the operation of the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b, a fuel cell system equipped with.

  The reforming raw material pump 11a1, the reforming water pump 11b2, the cathode air blower 11c1, the hot water storage water circulation pump 22a, and the radiator 22b, which constitute the auxiliary unit H, become sound sources as they operate, and the sound sources are generated. A remote controller 18 as an operation unit that is selected by a user to select a setting 1 to a setting 5 that are a plurality of reference noise levels representing the upper limit of the combined operating sound level L obtained by synthesizing the sound operating sound levels (S1 to S5). And the control device 16 controls the output of the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b so that the synthesized operating sound level L is equal to or lower than the reference noise level (setting 1 to setting 5) selected by the remote controller 18. Configured In this case, the reference noise level is set so that the nighttime values of setting 2 and setting 4 are smaller than the daytime values of setting 1 and setting 3.

  According to this, the user can arbitrarily select the setting 1 to the setting 5 that are the reference noise level by the selection operation via the remote controller 18. And the control apparatus 16 is set so that the synthetic | combination operation sound level L which generate | occur | produces with the action | operation of the auxiliary machine H may satisfy | fill the setting 1-setting 5 (reference | standard noise level) selected by the user (below a reference | standard noise level). In addition, the output of the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b can be controlled. Thereby, radiator 22b operates so that synthetic operation sound level L may satisfy the setting 1-setting 5 (reference noise level) selected by the user, and cools the hot water stored in heat exchanger 12. it can. Therefore, the fuel cell system 1 can continue the power generation state without reducing the utilization efficiency and energy utilization efficiency of the reforming water.

  In addition, the reference noise level is set so that the values of setting 2 and setting 4 set at night are smaller than the values of setting 1 and setting 3 set during the day, so that the fuel cell system 1 operates at night. Even so, the synthetic operating sound level L can be reduced. Thereby, the fuel cell system 1 can be operated while ensuring excellent quietness.

  In this case, the remote controller 18 can select setting 1 and setting 2 that are the first reference noise level as a reference noise level, or setting 3 and setting 4 that are the second reference noise level lower than the first reference noise level. The control device 16 controls the output of the electric motor 22b2 to be the first output when the first reference noise level (setting 1 and setting 2) is selected by the selection operation on the remote controller 18, When the second reference noise level (setting 3 and setting 4) is selected by the selection operation on the remote controller 18, the output of the electric motor 22b2 is controlled to be a second output smaller than the first output. In this case, the control device 16 can change the duty for operating the electric motor 22b2 by controlling the first output in accordance with the radiator duty s5 and controlling the second output in accordance with the radiator duty s6.

  According to this, the output of the electric motor 22b2 can be reduced as the user selects the reference noise level to be reduced. As a result, the radiator 22b (electric motor 22b2) is operated to allow the synthetic operation sound level L to satisfy the reference noise level selected by the user, and effectively suppressing the user from feeling discomfort. it can.

(First modification)
In the above embodiment, the operation noise generated with the operation of the reforming raw material pump 11a1, the cathode air blower 11c1, the reforming water pump 11b2, the stored hot water circulation pump 22a, and the radiator 22b housed in the inside of the housing 10a. The control device 16 outputs the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b so that the combined operation sound level L obtained by combining the operation sound level L1 to the operation sound level L5 satisfies the reference noise level set for each mode selected by the user. I made it to control. In this case, the control unit 16 further adjusts (changes) the reference noise level set for each mode based on the external noise level caused by the operation noise emitted by the device installed outside the housing 10a, and the control device 16 performs the radiator 22b. It is also possible to control the output of the electric motor 22b2. Hereinafter, this first modification will be specifically described.

  In this first modification, as shown in FIG. 8, a noise measuring device 70 is connected to the control device 16 by wire or wirelessly. The noise measuring device 70 measures external noise caused by an operating sound generated by a device (for example, an outdoor unit for air conditioning) installed outside the housing 10a. The noise measuring device 70 measures the external noise level Lo of the external noise outside the housing 10 a and outputs a signal representing the measured external noise level Lo to the control device 16. Thereby, the control apparatus 16 can acquire the signal showing the external noise level Lo.

  In the first modification, when the user selects the “high efficiency mode” by the selection operation on the remote controller 18, the control device 16 sets the daytime reference noise level set by the setting 1 (the first reference noise level). For example, the nighttime reference noise level (first reference noise level, for example, 40 dB) set by the setting 2 and 50 dB is adjusted (changed) according to the external noise level Lo. Specifically, the control device 16 reduces the reference noise level (first reference noise level, for example, 50 dB or 40 dB) according to the external noise level Lo. In this case, the control device 16 subtracts the noise level set according to the external noise level Lo from the reference noise level (first reference noise level) or substitutes the external noise level Lo into the right side of the equation 1 [L6 The reference noise level (first reference noise level) is lowered by adding the item "." And the control apparatus 16 determines the radiator duty s5 which operates the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b by executing a radiator operation control program as in the above embodiment.

  When the user selects the “low noise mode” by the selection operation on the remote controller 18, the control device 16 sets the daytime reference noise level set by the setting 3 (second reference noise level, for example, 45 dB). And the nighttime reference noise level (second reference noise level, for example, 35 dB) set by setting 4 is adjusted (changed) according to the external noise level Lo. Specifically, the control device 16 reduces the reference noise level (second reference noise level, for example, 45 dB or 35 dB) according to the external noise level Lo. In this case, the control device 16 subtracts the noise level set according to the external noise level Lo from the reference noise level (second reference noise level) or substitutes the external noise level Lo into the right side of the equation 1 [L6 The reference noise level (second reference noise level) is lowered by adding the item "." And the control apparatus 16 determines the radiator duty s6 which operates the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b by executing a radiator operation control program as in the above embodiment.

  Further, when the user selects “standard mode” by a selection operation on the remote controller 18, the control device 16 adjusts (changes) the reference noise level (for example, 40 dB) set by the setting 5 according to the external noise level Lo. Do. Specifically, the control device 16 reduces the reference noise level according to the external noise level Lo. In this case, the control device 16 subtracts the noise level set in accordance with the external noise level Lo from the reference noise level, or adds the term “L6” for substituting the external noise level Lo to the right side of the equation 1. As a result, the reference noise level is lowered. And the control apparatus 16 determines the radiator duty s7 which operates the electric motor 22b2 of the radiator 22b by executing a radiator operation control program as in the above embodiment.

  Thus, in the first modification, the control device 16 uses the external noise measured by the noise measurement device 70 that measures external noise outside the housing 10a that houses at least the fuel cell module 11 and the auxiliary machine H. The reference noise level (the first reference noise level and the second reference noise level) can be adjusted based on the external noise level Lo of the external noise.

  Thereby, the reference noise level (the first reference noise level and the second reference noise level) adjusted in consideration of the external noise level Lo emitted from the device installed outside the housing 10a can be emitted from the fuel cell system 1 The operation of the radiator 22b can be controlled so that the synthesized operation sound level L is satisfied. Therefore, also in the first modification, the normal operation of the fuel cell system 1 can be continued in a state where the reference noise level is satisfied, as in the above embodiment.

(Second modification)
In the embodiment and the first modified example, the control device 16 executes the radiator operation control program to determine the radiator duty s5, the radiator duty s6, or the radiator duty s7, and the determined radiator duty s5, radiator duty s6 or The electric motor 22b2 is operated by the radiator duty s7. In this case, as the auxiliary machine H excluding the radiator 22b, for example, the vibration associated with the operation of the hot water storage water circulation pump 22a and the vibration associated with the operation of the electric motor 22b2 (radiator 22b) resonate, and as a result, the combined operation sound level L may increase.

  Therefore, when operating the electric motor 22b2 with the radiator duty s5, the radiator duty s6 or the radiator duty s7 determined as described above, the control device 16 drives the hot water storage water circulation pump 22a as shown in FIG. The phase (cycle) of the rectangular duty s5 (s6, s7) for operating the electric motor 22b2 can be changed so as not to coincide with the phase (cycle) of the duty (broken line). Thereby, for example, in the situation where the hot water circulating pump 22a and the electric motor 22b2 (the radiator 22b) are operated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of resonance, and thus the composite operating sound level L can be reduced. About the other effect, the effect similar to the said embodiment and said 1st modification is acquired.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 16 can also increase the radiator duty s5, the radiator duty s6, or the radiator duty s7 determined as described above in a stepwise manner. Thus, by increasing the radiator duty s5, the radiator duty s6 or the radiator duty s7 stepwise with the passage of time, for example, immediately after the operation of the electric motor 22b2 (radiator 22b) is started, for example, the hot water circulation pump 22a And resonance can be avoided, and as a result, the synthetic operating sound level L can be reduced. Even in this case, the other effects are the same as those of the embodiment and the first modification.

  In carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and the above modification, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment and each of the modifications described above, the settings 3 and 4 in the “low noise mode” are uniformly lower values (for example, 5 dB) than the settings 1 and 2 in the “high efficiency mode”. ). However, for example, the values of the setting 3 and the setting 4 in the “low noise mode” may be arbitrarily set according to the operation sound (operation sound level) perceived by the user. In this case, it goes without saying that the settable range by the user is determined so as not to hinder the operation of the fuel cell system 1.

  In the embodiment and each of the modifications, the user can arbitrarily select the “high efficiency mode”, the “low noise mode”, or the “standard mode” by using the remote controller 18 as an operation unit. In addition, for example, since the power consumption by the external power load 17c is large during the daytime, the fuel cell system 1 is operated in the “high efficiency mode”, and at the night time, the power consumption by the external power load 17c is small, so that “low noise” The user may be able to select an “automatic mode” that automatically switches between the “high efficiency mode” and the “low noise mode” so that the fuel cell system 1 is operated in the “mode”. For example, when there is a situation where the reforming water in the reforming water tank 15 is insufficient, the “high efficiency mode” is switched with priority over the “low noise mode”.

  Further, in the embodiment and each of the modifications described above, the ventilation fan 55 that generates operating noise is excluded from the sound source. However, it goes without saying that the ventilation fan 55 can be added to the sound source.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment and said each modification, it was assumed that the radiator 22b was an air cooling type. Instead of this, it is also possible to use a water-cooled radiator or other heat radiating device or heat transfer device that generates an operating sound as the radiator 22b. In the case of using another heat radiating device or heat transfer device that emits operating noise, the control device 16 controls the operation of the heat radiating device or heat transfer device so that the combined operating sound level L satisfies the reference noise level. The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications can be expected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell system, 10 ... Power generation unit, 10a ... Housing, 10b ... Intake port, 10c ... Exhaust port for ventilation, 10d ... Exhaust port for combustion exhaust gas, 11 ... Fuel cell module, 11a ... Reformation material supply pipe , 11a1 ... reforming material pump, 11b ... reforming water supply pipe, 11b2 ... reforming water pump, 11c ... cathode air supply pipe, 11c1 ... cathode air blower (oxidant pump), 11c2 ... electric motor, 11c3 ... flow rate Sensor 11d Exhaust pipe 12 Heat exchanger (condenser) 12a Condensate supply pipe 12b Drain pipe 13 Inverter device 14 Water purifier 15 Reformed water tank 15a Overflow line, 15b ... Water receiving member, 15c ... Drain pipe, 15d ... Water level sensor, 16 ... Control device, 17a ... System power supply, 17b ... Power supply line, 17c ... Negative external power , 18 remote control (operation unit) 20 exhaust heat recovery system 21 storage water tank 22 storage water circulation line 22a storage water circulation pump 22a storage water circulation pump (circulation water pump) 22b radiator 22b1 Cooling fan, 22b2 ... Electric motor, 22c ... Hot water supply pipe, 31 ... Casing, 32 ... Evaporating part, 33 ... Reforming part, 34 ... Fuel cell, 34a ... Cell, 34b ... Fuel flow path, 34c ... Air flow path , 35: manifold, 36: combustion unit, 36a1, 36a2: ignition heater, 37: flame, 38: reformed gas delivery pipe, 41: pressure reducing valve, 42: water supply pipe, 42a: water supply pipe, 54: check valve 55 ... Ventilation fan, 61 ... Hot water supply pipe, 62 ... Mixing valve, 63 ... Mixed hot water supply pipe, 64 ... Bypass passage, 65 ... Electromagnetic switching valve, 66 ... Hot water temperature measuring device, 67 ... Water temperature measuring device, 6 ... Hot water tap, 70 ... Noise measuring device, D ... Correction coefficient, Gs ... Supply source, H ... Auxiliary machine, L ... Synthetic operating sound level, Lo ... External noise level, S1-S7 ... Operating sound level, Sw ... High pressure supply Water source, Wh ... Hot water heater, s1-s4 ... Duty, s5-7 ... Radiator duty

Claims (6)

The fuel is generated from a fuel cell that generates electric power using a fuel and an oxidant gas, a reforming raw material supplied from a supply source through a reforming raw material supply pipe, and steam obtained by evaporating reforming water. A fuel cell module comprising: a reforming unit that supplies the fuel to the fuel cell;
A reforming water tank for storing the reforming water supplied to the reforming section via a reforming water supply pipe;
Heat exchange between the combustion off gas generated from the fuel cell and the combustion exhaust gas generated by burning the oxidant gas and the circulating water supplied from the hot water storage tank through the hot water supply pipe and contained in the combustion exhaust gas A condenser that condenses water vapor to produce condensed water;
A reforming material pump for pumping the reforming material, a reforming water pump for pumping the reforming water, an oxidant gas pump for pumping the oxidizing gas, a circulating water pump for pumping the circulating water, and a cooling fan And an electric motor that drives the cooling fan, provided in the hot water supply pipe, and a radiator that cools the circulating water supplied from the hot water tank,
A control device that controls at least the operation of the electric motor of the radiator, and a fuel cell system comprising:
The reforming raw material pump, the reforming water pump, the oxidant gas pump, the circulating water pump, and the radiator, which constitute the auxiliary, serve as sound sources as they operate.
The operation unit includes a selection operation for selecting one of a plurality of reference noise levels representing an upper limit of a combined operation sound level obtained by combining operation sound levels that are sound pressure levels of operation sounds generated by the sound sources. ,
The controller is
A fuel cell system configured to control an output of the electric motor of the radiator such that the combined operation noise level is equal to or less than the reference noise level selected by the selection unit. The operation unit is
As the reference noise level, it is possible to select a first reference noise level or a second reference noise level lower than the first reference noise level.
The controller is
When the first reference noise level is selected by the selection operation on the operation unit, the output of the electric motor is controlled to be a first output,
The control according to claim 1, wherein when the second reference noise level is selected by the selection operation on the operation unit, the output of the electric motor is controlled to be a second output smaller than the first output. Fuel cell system. The controller is
The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the duty for operating the electric motor is changed between the first output and the second output. The controller is
When the electric motor is operated to have the first output,
The operation of the electric motor by the rectangular shape or the step-by-step increasing duty so as to avoid the resonance between the vibration generated by the electric motor operating and generated and the vibration generated by the accessory excluding the radiator. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, wherein the fuel cell system is controlled. The reference noise level is
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a nighttime value is set smaller than a daytime value. The controller is
The external noise measured by a noise measuring device that measures external noise outside the housing that houses at least the fuel cell module and the auxiliary machine is configured to be acquired,
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reference noise level is adjusted based on an external noise level of the external noise.

Images