JP2019158312A - Biogas supply device and power generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a biogas supply device capable of supplying adequate biogas without being provided with a concentration meter.SOLUTION: The biogas supply device comprises: a combustion device combusting biogas generated in a fermentation tank; a changeover part changing over between a state in which biogas is supplied to the combustion device and a state in which biogas is supplied to a biogas using device using biogas; and a control device controlling the combustion device and the changeover part. The control device comprises; a combustion test control part which causes the combustion device to perform biogas combustion test; a supply determination part determining whether or not the biogas is supplied to the gas application device on the basis of the result of the test combustion; and a changeover control part controlling the changeover part in such a way that the biogas is supplied to the gas application device when the supply determination part determines that supplying of biogas to the gas application device is acknowledged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a biogas supply apparatus and a power generation system.

  Conventionally, for example, a power generation system includes a fermenter that generates biogas and a power generation device that generates power by burning biogas (for example, Patent Document 1). And when the density | concentration of the active ingredient (for example, methane) of the biogas generated in the fermenter is low, a power generation device cannot be operated with the biogas.

  Therefore, the biogas supply device of the power generation system according to Patent Document 1 includes a concentration meter that measures the concentration of the active component of the biogas. Thereby, an appropriate biogas can be supplied to the power generator. By the way, for example, the concentration meter is expensive, and in recent years, there is a demand for supplying an appropriate biogas to a gas using device such as a power generation device without providing the concentration meter.

JP 2003-293860 A

  Then, the 1st subject is providing the biogas supply apparatus which can supply appropriate biogas, without providing a concentration meter.

  The second problem is to provide a power generation system capable of generating power by burning an appropriate biogas without providing a densitometer.

  The biogas supply device supplies the biogas to a combustion device that burns biogas generated in a fermenter, a state in which the biogas is supplied to the combustion device, and a gas use device that uses the biogas. A switching unit that switches between states, and a control device that controls the combustion device and the switching unit, wherein the control device performs a combustion test of the biogas in the combustion device, and Based on the result of the combustion test, a supply determination unit that determines whether or not to supply the biogas to the gas using device, and the supply determination unit supplies the biogas to the gas using device. A switching control unit that controls the switching unit so as to supply the biogas to the gas using device when determining.

  Further, in the biogas supply device, a plurality of the fermenters are provided for the biogas supply device, and the switching unit supplies the biogas to the combustion device for each of the fermenters and Each of the fermenters is provided so that the state of supplying the biogas to the gas use device can be switched, and the combustion test control unit causes the biogas combustion test for each of the fermenters, The supply determining unit may be configured to determine whether or not to supply the biogas to the gas using device for each fermenter based on the result of the combustion test.

  In the biogas supply device, the switching control unit supplies the biogas to the combustion device when the supply determination unit determines that the biogas is not supplied to the gas use device. In this way, the switching unit may be controlled.

  The power generation system includes the biogas supply device, the fermenter that generates the biogas, and the power generation device as the gas use device that generates power by burning the biogas.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a power generation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the biogas supply apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control flow diagram of the biogas supply apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a control flow diagram of a first fermentor combustion test process according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of a second fermenter combustion test process according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a control flow diagram of a third fermenter combustion test process according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the gas supply switching process according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the power generation system and the biogas supply apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In each drawing, the dimensional ratio of the drawings does not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratio, and the dimensional ratio between the drawings does not necessarily match.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of fermenters 2 that generate biogas, and a power generation device 3 that generates power by burning the biogas. The power generation system 1 also includes a biogas supply device 4 that supplies the biogas in the fermenter 2 to the power generation device 3.

  For example, a biogas (for example, methane gas) is generated by decomposing organic materials (for example, food waste, food residues) by the microorganisms (for example, methane bacteria) in the fermenter 2. In this embodiment, although the fermenter 2 is the structure that the electric power generation system 1 is equipped with three tanks, the structure that it is one tank, two tanks, or four tanks or more may be sufficient, for example. The number of is not particularly limited.

  The power generation device 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that generates power by burning biogas. For example, the power generation device 3 may be a cogeneration device that generates power by burning biogas and generates a heating medium (for example, steam or hot water) using the burned heat.

  The biogas supply device 4 includes a combustion device 5 that combusts biogas generated in the fermenter 2, and an auxiliary fuel supply unit 6 that supplies auxiliary fuel to the combustion device 5. In addition, the biogas supply device 4 includes a switching unit 7 that switches between a state in which the biogas from the fermenter 2 is supplied to the power generation device 3 and a state in which the biogas is supplied to the combustion device 5.

  The combustion device 5 burns the biogas supplied from the fermenter 2 and the auxiliary fuel supplied from the auxiliary fuel supply unit 6. And the combustion apparatus 5 is provided with the combustion temperature detection part 5a which detects combustion temperature (specifically exhaust gas temperature), and the misfire detection part 5b which detects that combustion misfired.

  The auxiliary fuel supply unit 6 includes an auxiliary fuel source (for example, a gas cylinder) 6a for storing auxiliary fuel (for example, liquefied petroleum gas, propane gas), a fuel flow rate detection unit 6b for detecting the supply flow rate of the auxiliary fuel, and a pipe ( Not numbered). The auxiliary fuel supply unit 6 is supplied to the combustion device 5 when the combustion device 5 is ignited or when biogas having a low concentration of an active component (for example, methane) is combusted.

  The switching unit 7 includes a gas deriving unit 8 for deriving biogas generated in the fermenter 2 to the outside of the fermenter 2, a first supply unit 9 for supplying biogas from the gas deriving unit 8 to the power generation device 3, and a gas And a second supply unit 10 for supplying biogas from the derivation unit 8 to the combustion device 5. The switching unit 7 includes a switching valve 11 that switches between a state in which the gas deriving unit 8 and the first supply unit 9 are electrically connected and a state in which the gas deriving unit 8 and the second supply unit 10 are electrically connected.

  The switching unit 7 is provided for each fermenter 2 so that the state in which the biogas is supplied to the power generation device 3 and the state in which the biogas is supplied to the combustion device 5 can be switched for each fermenter 2. ing. That is, the number of switching units 7 is the same as the number of fermenters 2. In the present embodiment, three fermenters 2 are provided, and three switching units 7 are also provided.

  The gas outlet 8 connects the fermenter 2 and the switching valve 11. And the gas derivation | leading-out part 8 is the gas flow rate detection part 8a which detects the flow volume of the biogas generated from the fermenter 2, the gas pressure detection part 8b which detects an internal gas pressure, and piping (not numbered). And.

  The first supply unit 9 includes piping (not numbered), and connects the switching valve 11 and the power generation device 3. The second supply unit 10 includes piping (not numbered), and connects the switching valve 11 and the combustion device 5.

  The switching valve 11 is not particularly limited, but can be a three-way valve. The switching valve 11 includes a plurality of on-off valves, for example, a first on-off valve that opens and closes between the gas derivation unit 8 and the first supply unit 9, a gas derivation unit 8, and a second supply unit 10. And a second on-off valve that opens and closes between the two.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the biogas supply device 4 includes an input unit 12 for a user to input information. Further, the biogas supply device 4 includes a control device 13 that controls the combustion device 5 and the switching unit 7 (specifically, the switching valve 11).

  The control device 13 includes an acquisition unit 13a that acquires information from the input unit 12 and the detection units 5a, 5b, 6b, 8a, and 8b, a storage unit 13b that stores the information, and the combustion device 5, and each fermenter. And a combustion test control unit 13c that performs a combustion test of two biogases. In addition, the control device 13 determines whether or not to supply biogas to the power generation device 3 based on the result of the combustion test, and the switching unit 7 ( Specifically, a switching control unit 13e that controls the switching valve 11) is provided.

  The combustion test control unit 13 c controls the combustion device 5 and the switching valve 11 to cause the combustion device 5 to perform a biogas combustion test in each fermenter 2. Specifically, the combustion test control unit 13 c causes the combustion apparatus 5 to perform a biogas combustion test for each fermenter 2 by switching the switching valve 11.

  The supply determination unit 13d determines whether the biogas is supplied to the power generation device 3 for each fermenter 2 based on the result of the combustion test. In the present embodiment, the supply determination unit 13d determines whether or not the misfire detection unit 5b has detected a misfire of the combustion device 5.

  Specifically, when burning without a misfire for a predetermined time with only biogas, the supply determination unit 13d determines that the concentration of the active ingredient is equal to or higher than a set value and supplies the biogas to the power generation device 3. Is determined. On the other hand, in the case of misfire, the supply determination unit 13d determines that supplying the biogas to the power generation device 3 is non-determining that the concentration of the active ingredient is less than the set value.

  Then, when the supply determination unit 13d determines that it is appropriate to supply the biogas of the predetermined fermenter 2 to the power generation device 3, the switching control unit 13e supplies the biogas to the power generation device 3. The switching valve 11 is controlled. And the electric power generating apparatus 3 burns the said biogas, and generates electric power.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the supply determination unit 13d does not supply the biogas from the predetermined fermenter 2 to the power generation device 3, the switching control unit 13e supplies the biogas to the combustion device 5. The switching valve 11 is controlled. And the combustion apparatus 5 burns and processes the said biogas.

  Therefore, the combustion device 5 functions as a combustion test device that tests whether or not the component can be supplied to the power generation device 3 when performing a biogas combustion test. As a result, the combustion device 5 functions as a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of the active ingredient of the biogas. On the other hand, the combustion device 5 functions as an inappropriate biogas processing device (surplus gas processing device, flare stack) when burning biogas whose active ingredient concentration is less than the set value. Thus, the combustion apparatus 5 has a plurality of functions such as a gas combustion test apparatus and a gas processing apparatus.

  The configurations of the power generation system 1 and the biogas supply device 4 according to this embodiment are as described above. Next, the control flow of the biogas supply device 4 according to this embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. explain. The control flow is an example and is not limited to such a flow.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the combustion test time is reached (“Y” in S1), the combustion test steps S3 to S7 are performed, and when it is not the combustion test time (“N” in S1), the normal operation step is performed. S2. The combustion test time is not particularly limited, but may be set, for example, every 12 hours or every 24 hours, considering that the fermentation process is unlikely to change rapidly.

  In the normal operation step S2, the biogas supply path set in the most recent combustion test steps S3 to S7 is maintained without switching the switching valves 11. Further, when there is a biogas combusted in the combustion device 5 (a biogas whose active ingredient concentration is less than the set value), the combustion is performed when the pressure detected by the gas pressure detection unit 8b is equal to or higher than the set value. The device 5 introduces biogas (for example, by opening a valve in the device), and then burns and processes it.

  On the other hand, in the combustion test steps S3 to S7, the combustion test control unit 13c performs the combustion test of only the biogas generated in the first fermentation tank 2 with the combustion device 5 (first fermentation tank combustion test process S3). Thereafter, the combustion test control unit 13c performs the combustion test of the biogas generated in the second fermenter 2 and the combustion test of only the biogas generated in the third fermenter 2 with the combustion device 5 (second fermenter). Combustion test process S4, 3rd fermentor combustion process S5).

  And based on the result of each combustion test, the switching control part 13e switches the supply path | route of biogas appropriately by the switching valve 11 (gas supply switching process S6). Thereafter, the combustion test control unit 13c stops the combustion device 5 (combustion device stop step S7).

  Here, the fermenter combustion test steps S3 to S5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In 1st fermenter combustion test process S3, as shown in FIG. 4, when the combustion apparatus 5 is not driving | running ("N" of S3a), the combustion apparatus 5 is started (S3b). At this time, the combustion device 5 is activated by burning the auxiliary fuel supplied from the auxiliary fuel supply unit 6.

  And when the 1st fermenter 2 is operating ("Y" of S3c), and when the 1st fermenter 2 is a test object ("Y" of S3d), each switching valve 11 is set. Can be switched. Thereby, while the biogas of the 2nd and 3rd fermenter 2 is supplied to the power generation device 3, only the biogas of the 1st fermenter 2 is supplied to the combustion device 5, and it burns with the combustion device 5 A test is performed (S3e).

  In addition, when the 1st fermenter 2 is not operating ("N" of S3c), since fermentation is not performed and biogas is not generated, the biogas of the 1st fermenter 2 is not generated. The combustion test is omitted. Moreover, when the 1st fermenter 2 is not a test object ("N" of S3d), as mentioned later, the active ingredient density | concentration of the biogas of the 1st fermenter 2 is more than a setting value by the past combustion test. Since it has been confirmed, the combustion test of the biogas in the first fermenter 2 is omitted.

  Then, when the auxiliary fuel is supplied, the supply is stopped. After that, when the combustion device 5 can continue the combustion only with the biogas in the first fermentation tank 2 for a predetermined time (in S3f). “N”), assuming that the concentration of the active ingredient of the biogas in the first fermenter 2 is equal to or higher than the set value, the first fermenter 2 is excluded from the next combustion test (S3g). On the other hand, when the combustion apparatus 5 misfires (“Y” in S3f), the combustion test of the first fermenter 2 is completed assuming that the active ingredient concentration of the biogas in the first fermenter 2 is less than the set value. Is done.

  Moreover, when 1st fermenter combustion test process S3 is complete | finished, as shown in FIG. 5, 2nd fermenter combustion test process S4 is implemented, and as shown in FIG. 6, after that, 3rd fermenter combustion test process S5 is performed. Is implemented. In addition, since 2nd fermenter combustion test process S4 and 3rd fermentor combustion test process S5 are substantially the same as 1st fermenter combustion test process S3, the detailed description is not repeated.

  In addition, the order of a combustion test is not restricted to the structure that it is the order of the 1st fermenter 2, the 2nd fermenter 2, and the 3rd fermenter 2, The order of a combustion test is not specifically limited. Moreover, in one combustion test process S3-S7, it is not restricted to the structure of performing the combustion test process S3-S5 of all the fermenters 2, In one combustion test process, one part (for example, one or Two combustion test steps S3 to S5 of the fermenter 2 may be performed, and in the next combustion test step, the combustion test steps S3 to S5 of the other fermenters 2 may be performed.

  Next, details of the gas supply switching step S6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the gas supply switching step S6, as shown in FIG. 7, when the first fermenter 2 is excluded from the subject of the combustion test (“Y” in S6a), the biogas in the first fermenter 2 is effective. This is the case when the component concentration is equal to or higher than the set value. In such a case, the biogas is supplied to the power generation device 3 by controlling the switching valve 11 (S6b).

  On the contrary, when the 1st fermenter 2 is not excluded from the object of a combustion test ("N" of S6a), it is a case where the active ingredient density | concentration of the biogas of the 1st fermenter 2 is less than a setting value. In such a case, the biogas is supplied to the combustion device 5 by controlling the switching valve 11 (S6c).

  Similarly, when the second fermenter 2 is excluded from the subject of the combustion test (“Y” in S6d), the biogas is supplied to the power generator 3 (S6e). Conversely, when the second fermenter 2 is not excluded from the subject of the combustion test (“N” in S6d), the biogas is supplied to the combustion device 5 (S6f).

  Similarly, when the third fermenter 2 is excluded from the subject of the combustion test (“Y” in S6g), the biogas is supplied to the power generator 3 (S6h). On the contrary, when the 3rd fermenter 2 is not excluded from the object of a combustion test ("N" of S6g), the said biogas is supplied to the combustion apparatus 5 (S6i).

  Thus, since only the biogas whose active ingredient concentration is equal to or higher than the set value is supplied to the power generation device 3, for example, it is possible to prevent the power generation device 3 from stopping. Therefore, the power generation device 3 can generate power stably.

  From the above, the biogas supply device 4 according to the present embodiment uses the biogas, the combustion device 5 that burns the biogas generated in the fermenter 2, the state in which the biogas is supplied to the combustion device 5, and the biogas. A switching unit 7 that switches between a state in which the biogas is supplied to the gas using device 3 and a control device 13 that controls the combustion device 5 and the switching unit 7. A combustion test control unit 13c that performs a combustion test of the biogas in the combustion device 5, and a supply determination unit 13d that determines whether the biogas is supplied to the gas using device 3 based on the result of the combustion test. When the supply determination unit 13d determines that it is appropriate to supply the biogas to the gas use device 3, the biogas is supplied to the gas use device 3. Comprising a switching control unit 13e for controlling the exchange unit 7, a.

  According to such a configuration, the combustion test of the biogas is performed by the combustion device 5, and whether or not the biogas is supplied to the gas use device 3 is determined based on the result of the combustion test. And when it is judged as right, the said biogas is supplied to the gas usage apparatus 3, Therefore An appropriate biogas can be supplied to the gas usage apparatus 3 without providing a concentration meter.

  Moreover, in the biogas supply device 4 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of the fermenters 2 are provided with respect to the biogas supply device 4, and the switching unit 7 is provided for each of the fermenters 2 with the combustion device. 5 is provided for each fermenter 2 so that the state of supplying the biogas to the gas use device 3 and the state of supplying the biogas to the gas using device 3 can be switched, and the combustion test control unit 13c The biogas combustion test is performed for each fermenter 2, and the supply determination unit 13 d supplies the biogas to the gas use device 3 for each fermenter 2 based on the result of the combustion test. It is the structure of judging the pros and cons of things.

  According to such a configuration, a biogas combustion test is performed for each of the fermenters 2 with respect to the plurality of fermenters 2, and the biogas is gas-applied to each fermenter 2 based on the result of the combustion test. Whether or not to supply to 3 is determined. As a result, only the biogas determined to be good is supplied to the gas using device 3, so that an appropriate biogas can be stably supplied to the gas using device 3.

  Moreover, in the biogas supply device 4 according to the present embodiment, when the switching control unit 13e determines that the supply determination unit 13d supplies the biogas to the gas use device 3, The switching unit 7 is controlled to supply biogas to the combustion device 5.

  According to such a configuration, the biogas determined not to be supplied to the gas using device 3 is supplied to the combustion device 5. And since the said biogas is combusted and processed with the combustion apparatus 5, the combustion apparatus 5 can serve as the biogas combustion test apparatus and the improper biogas processing apparatus.

  Moreover, the power generation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the biogas supply device 4, the fermenter 2 that generates the biogas, and the gas use device 3 that generates power by burning the biogas. And a power generation device 3.

  According to such a configuration, an appropriate biogas is supplied to the power generation device 3 by the biogas supply device 4 without providing a concentration meter. Thereby, it is possible to generate power by burning an appropriate biogas without providing a concentration meter.

  In addition, the electric power generation system 1 and the biogas supply apparatus 4 are not limited to the structure of above-described embodiment, Moreover, it is not limited to an above-described effect. Of course, the power generation system 1 and the biogas supply device 4 can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, it is needless to say that one or a plurality of configurations and methods according to various modifications described below may be arbitrarily selected and employed in the configurations and methods according to the above-described embodiments.

(1) In the biogas supply apparatus 4 according to the above embodiment, the combustion test control unit 13c is configured to cause a biogas combustion test to be performed for each fermenter 2. However, the biogas supply device 4 is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, the biogas supply device 4 may be configured to mix biogas generated from the plurality of fermenters 2, and the combustion test control unit 13c may perform a combustion test of the mixed biogas. In such a configuration, the biogas supply device 4 may include a gas tank that stores biogas generated from the plurality of fermenters 2.

(2) Moreover, in the biogas supply apparatus 4 which concerns on the said embodiment, it is the structure that the biogas determined not to supply to the electric power generation apparatus 3 is burned with the combustion apparatus 5, and is processed. . However, the biogas supply device 4 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the configuration may be such that the gas is processed by a purification device that extracts active ingredients to increase the concentration. For example, the gas may be processed by a harmful component removal apparatus that removes only harmful components contained in biogas.

(3) Moreover, in the biogas supply apparatus 4 which concerns on the said embodiment, it is the structure that the gas usage apparatus 3 is the electric power generating apparatus 3. FIG. However, the biogas supply device 4 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the gas use device 3 may be configured as a boiler.

(4) Further, in the biogas supply device 4 according to the above embodiment, when the combustion device 5 is combusted only with biogas for a predetermined time, the supply determination unit 13d supplies the biogas to the power generation device 3 It is the structure of judging that doing is right. However, the biogas supply device 4 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, an appropriate determination criterion that prevents the supply to the power generation device 3 is adopted depending on the difference between the effective component concentration required by the combustion device 5 and the effective component concentration required by the power generation device 3.

  For example, not only the biogas can be burned, but also a criterion that the temperature detected by the combustion temperature detector 5a is equal to or higher than a set value may be employed. In addition, for example, when the mixture of biogas and auxiliary fuel can be combusted by the combustion device 5, a criterion that the ratio of biogas is equal to or higher than a set value may be employed.

(5) Moreover, the biogas supply apparatus 4 which concerns on the said embodiment is a structure of performing a combustion test for every predetermined time like every 12 hours or every 24 hours, for example. However, the biogas supply device 4 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the biogas supply device 4 may be configured to perform a combustion test every time a predetermined amount of gas is generated. That is, the biogas supply device 4 may be configured to continue the combustion test until it is determined that the supply to the gas using device 3 is good when biogas that can be combusted is generated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power generation system, 2 ... Fermenter, 3 ... Power generation apparatus, 4 ... Biogas supply apparatus, 5 ... Combustion apparatus, 5a ... Combustion temperature detection part, 5b ... Misfire detection part, 6 ... Auxiliary fuel supply part, 6a ... Auxiliary Fuel source, 6b ... Fuel flow rate detection unit, 7 ... Switching unit, 8 ... Gas derivation unit, 8a ... Gas flow rate detection unit, 8b ... Gas pressure detection unit, 9 ... First supply unit, 10 ... Second supply unit, 11 ... Switching valve, 12 ... Input unit, 13 ... Control device, 13a ... Acquisition unit, 13b ... Storage unit, 13c ... Combustion test control unit, 13d ... Supply determination unit, 13e ... Switch control unit

Claims (4)

A combustion device for burning biogas generated in the fermenter;
A switching unit that switches between a state in which the biogas is supplied to the combustion device and a state in which the biogas is supplied to a gas use device that uses the biogas;
A control device for controlling the combustion device and the switching unit,
The control device includes:
A combustion test control unit that performs a combustion test of the biogas in the combustion device;
Based on the result of the combustion test, a supply determination unit for determining whether to supply the biogas to the gas using device;
A switching control unit for controlling the switching unit to supply the biogas to the gas using device when the supply determining unit determines that the biogas is supplied to the gas using device; A biogas supply device comprising: A plurality of the fermenters are provided for the biogas supply device,
The switching unit is provided for each fermenter so that the state of supplying the biogas to the combustion device and the state of supplying the biogas to the gas using device can be switched for each fermenter. And
The combustion test control unit causes the biogas combustion test for each fermentor,
The biogas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the supply determination unit determines whether or not to supply the biogas to the gas using device for each fermenter based on a result of the combustion test.   The switching control unit controls the switching unit to supply the biogas to the combustion device when the supply determination unit determines that the biogas is not supplied to the gas using device. The biogas supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The biogas supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The fermentor for generating the biogas;
A power generation system comprising: a power generation device as the gas use device that generates power by burning the biogas.

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