JP2020136205A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

To deal with occurrence of problems in a cooling system, in a system configuration where the cooling system is provided, respectively, for multiple fuel cell stacks.SOLUTION: A cooling system provided, respectively, for multiple fuel cell stacks has an introduction path of a cooling medium to the fuel cell stacks, and a reflux path for reflowing the cooling medium, discharged from the fuel cell stacks, to the introduction path. One cooling system and the other cooling system share a communication introduction path for communicating the introduction paths of both cooling systems, a communication reflux path for communicating the reflux paths, an introduction path on-off valve built in the communication introduction path, and a reflux path on-off valve built in the communication reflux path. When stack cooling is normal in all of the multiple cooling systems, the introduction path on-off valve and the reflux path on-off valve are subjected to valve closing control, and when stack cooling is abnormal, the introduction path on-off valve and the reflux path on-off valve, shared by the cooling system having abnormal stack cooling with the other cooling system, are subjected to valve opening control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system.

A method has been proposed in which a plurality of fuel cell stacks are provided in a fuel cell system, and the generated power obtained from the plurality of fuel cells is used as the drive power of a drive source such as a motor (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-8916

In Patent Document 1, a single cooling system supplies a refrigerant to a plurality of fuel cell stacks to promote the temperature rise of each fuel cell stack when the system is started in a subfreezing environment. By the way, the operating condition of the fuel cell stack is usually different among a plurality of fuel cell stacks. Therefore, managing the stack temperature for each fuel cell stack is beneficial for improving the efficiency of power generation operation and improving fuel efficiency. Temperature control for each fuel cell stack can be achieved by providing an independent cooling system for each fuel cell stack. However, it has been pointed out that if a cooling system is provided independently for each fuel cell stack, it is necessary to take measures when a problem such as a poor pumping of refrigerant occurs in the cooling system. More specifically, in the fuel cell stack that is the cooling target of the defective cooling system, the progress of the electrochemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, which is an exothermic reaction, is hindered due to insufficient cooling, so refrain from power generation operation. Or need to stop. Then, the load of the power generation operation in the other fuel cell stack becomes excessive, and the fuel consumption is lowered.

The present invention can be realized as the following forms.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel cell system is provided. This fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a plurality of cooling systems provided in association with each fuel cell stack so as to circulate and recirculate the refrigerant in the fuel cell stack to cool the stack, and the cooling system. A fuel cell system having a control unit for controlling the stack cooling by the above, and each of the plurality of cooling systems is associated with an introduction path for introducing the refrigerant into the associated fuel cell stack. The plurality of cooling systems have a recirculation path for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the fuel cell stack and returning the refrigerant to the introduction path, and the plurality of cooling systems are described in one cooling system and another cooling system. A communication introduction path for communicating the introduction path of the cooling system with the introduction path of the other cooling system, and a communication return path for communicating the return path of the one cooling system with the return path of the other cooling system. , The introduction path on-off valve incorporated in the communication introduction path and the return path on-off valve incorporated in the communication return path are shared, and the control unit performs the stack cooling normally in all of the plurality of cooling systems. In the situation where the introduction path on-off valve and the return path on-off valve are closed and controlled, and the stack cooling is abnormal in a part of the plurality of cooling systems, the stack cooling is abnormal. The introduction path on-off valve and the return path on-off valve shared by the cooling system with the other cooling system are controlled to open. According to this form of fuel cell system, another cooling system (hereinafter, normal cooling system) in which stack cooling is normal is provided in the introduction path of a cooling system in which stack cooling is abnormal (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal cooling system). The refrigerant can be introduced into the fuel cell stack associated with the abnormal cooling system by guiding the refrigerant from the introduction path (referred to as) through the communication introduction path. Further, the refrigerant discharged from the fuel cell stack associated with the abnormal cooling system can be guided from the reflux path of the abnormal cooling system to the reflux path of the normal cooling system via the communication return path. As a result, stack cooling is continued in the fuel cell stack associated with the abnormal cooling system, so it is necessary to refrain from power generation operation or stop power generation in the fuel cell stack associated with the abnormal cooling system. It disappears. As a result, even if the stack cooling becomes abnormal in a certain cooling system, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell stack other than the fuel cell stack associated with the abnormal cooling system from being overloaded with power generation operation. It is possible to avoid or suppress the deterioration of fuel efficiency.

The present invention can be realized in various aspects. For example, it can be realized in the form of an operation control method of a fuel cell system.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the cooling monitoring control executed by the control part which the fuel cell system has.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell system 10 includes a first fuel cell stack 11 to a third fuel cell stack 13 as a plurality of fuel cell stacks, and also has a first cooling system 200, a second cooling system 300, and a third cooling for each fuel cell stack. It includes a system 400, a control unit 500, a gas supply / exhaust mechanism 600, and a battery output control unit 700.

The first fuel cell stack 11, the second fuel cell stack 12, and the third fuel cell stack 13 receive fuel gas, for example, hydrogen gas and oxygen-containing air from the gas supply / exhaust mechanism 600, and generate electricity, respectively. This generated power is sent to the battery output control unit 700, and if the fuel cell system 10 is a system mounted on a fuel cell vehicle for generating driving force, it is used as driving power for a load 800 such as a driving motor. If the fuel cell system 10 is a system arranged for power generation in a commercial and industrial facility, the generated power of each fuel cell stack is used as the driving power of a load of 800 such as electric lights and various electric appliances of the commercial and industrial facility. Used. The output control by the battery output control unit 700 may be performed by the control unit 500 described later.

The first cooling system 200, the second cooling system 300, and the third cooling system 400 have the same equipment configuration, and the refrigerant is circulated and returned to the associated fuel cell stack to cool the stack. The configuration will be described by taking the first cooling system 200 as an example. In the first cooling system 200, the radiator 211 to the first fuel cell stack 11 are used to circulate and return the refrigerant to the first fuel cell stack 11 to cool the stack. It is provided with an introduction path 210 leading to the above and a return path 220 leading from the first fuel cell stack 11 to the radiator 211. The radiator 211 that connects the introduction path 210 and the return path 220 receives the blowing of cold air from the fan 212 to cool the refrigerant, for example, the cooling water. The refrigerant cooled by the radiator 211 is transferred to the first fuel cell stack 11 as shown by an arrow in the figure by rotationally driving the pump 213 arranged in the pipeline of the introduction path 210 by the pump motor 214. be introduced.

The refrigerant introduced into the first fuel cell stack 11 cools the stack while passing through the first fuel cell stack 11 and is discharged from the first fuel cell stack 11. The refrigerant discharged from the first fuel cell stack 11 is guided to the return path 220 and returned to the introduction path 210. This reflux of the refrigerant is performed not only via the radiator 211, but also via a bypass path 223 that bypasses the radiator 211. The temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the first fuel cell stack 11 is detected by the temperature sensor 221 arranged in the return path 220, and the detected temperature (refrigerant temperature) is transmitted to the control unit 500 to cool the stack. Used for control parameters.

The bypass path 223 has one end connected to a three-way valve 222 arranged in the return path 220 and the other end connected to the introduction path 210, and has an ion exchanger 224 in the middle of the pipeline. The ion exchanger 224 removes various ions charged and dissolved in the refrigerant passing through the bypass path 223, for example, iron ions dissolved from the pipeline wall of the introduction path 210 and the like from the refrigerant. The three-way valve 222 is driven under the control of the control unit 500, which will be described later, to switch between passing the refrigerant through the radiator 211 and passing the refrigerant through the bypass path 223, as well as passing the refrigerant through the radiator 211 and passing the refrigerant through the bypass path 223. Is executed while adjusting the refrigerant passage amount ratio. For example, when the control unit 500 determines from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 221 that the refrigerant needs to be rapidly cooled or greatly cooled, the three-way valve 222 is driven so as to only pass the refrigerant to the radiator 211. Further, when the control unit 500 determines that ion removal is necessary due to the output of an ion concentration sensor or the like (not shown) or due to the reflux of the refrigerant exceeding a predetermined time, the three-way valve 222 is transferred to the bypass path 223. Drive control is performed so that only the refrigerant passes, or drive control is performed so that the refrigerant passes through the radiator 211 and the refrigerant passes through the bypass path 223 after the refrigerant passage amount ratio is adjusted.

The second cooling system 300 and the third cooling system 400 have the same configuration as the first cooling system 200 described above, and the second cooling system 300 attempts to cool the corresponding second fuel cell stack 12 in a stack. The 3 cooling system 400 attempts to cool the corresponding third fuel cell stack 13 in a stack. In the following description, the same member name is used for the same member, and a member belonging to the second cooling system 300 or a member belonging to the third cooling system 400 is distinguished by a code.

In one cooling system in the above three cooling systems, for example, the first cooling system 200, and another cooling system, for example, the second cooling system 300, the introduction path 210 in the first cooling system 200 is introduced in the first cooling system 200. The communication introduction path 230 communicating with the path 310, the communication return path 240 communicating the return path 220 in the first cooling system 200 with the return path 320 in the second cooling system 300, and the introduction path opening / closing incorporated in the communication introduction path 230. The valve 250 and the return path on-off valve 260 incorporated in the communication return path 240 are shared and provided. The communication introduction path 230 communicates the introduction path 210 and the introduction path 310 between the cooling systems, and the communication return path 240 communicates the return path 220 and the return path 320 between the cooling systems.

Further, in the second cooling system 300 and the third cooling system 400, the communication introduction path 330 that connects the introduction path 310 in the second cooling system 300 to the introduction path 410 in the third cooling system 400 and the recirculation in the second cooling system 300. A communication return path 340 that connects the path 320 to the return path 420 in the third cooling system 400, an introduction path on-off valve 350 incorporated in the communication introduction path 330, and a return path on-off valve 360 incorporated in the communication return path 340. Share and prepare. Looking at these flow path configurations from a plurality of cooling systems including the first cooling system 200, the second cooling system 300, and the third cooling system 400, the plurality of cooling systems communicate with the communication introduction path 230 described above. It will have an introduction path 330, a communication return path 240 and a communication return path 340, an introduction path on-off valve 250 and a return path on-off valve 360, and a return path on-off valve 260 and a return path on-off valve 360.

In the present embodiment, in the first cooling system 200 and the third cooling system 400, as shown in FIG. 1, the introduction path 210 and the introduction path 410 are communicated with each other by the continuous communication introduction path 230 and the communication introduction path 330. There is. Further, in the first cooling system 200 and the third cooling system 400, as shown in FIG. 1, the return path 220 and the return path 420 are communicated with each other by the continuous communication return path 240 and the communication return path 340. In the first cooling system 200 and the third cooling system 400, a communication introduction path for directly communicating the introduction path 210 and the introduction path 410 is provided, or a communication return path for directly communicating the return path 220 and the return path 420 is provided. A road may be provided.

The control unit 500 is configured as a computer having a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, memory, and input / output ports (not shown). Various sensors such as a temperature sensor 221 are connected to the input / output port. For example, if the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment is a system mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, the input / output ports include an ignition switch, a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive wheels, and a depression state of the brake pedal. A brake pedal sensor that detects fuel, an accelerator opening sensor that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal as the accelerator opening, and the like are connected. These sensors are also connected to the battery output control unit 700, which will be described later, and the detection signal is used as a control parameter for adding power to the load 800. Then, the control unit 500 constructs the monitoring unit 510, the first control unit 520, and the second control unit 530 as functional units by loading the computer program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the CPU program. These functional parts will be described later.

Under the control of the control unit 500 or the battery output control unit 700, the gas supply / exhaust mechanism 600 contains fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) and oxygen in each of the first fuel cell stack 11 to the third fuel cell stack 13. Supply air. The gas supply / exhaust mechanism 600 also circulates and supplies unconsumed fuel gas and discharges exhaust gas to the outside of the system. The supply amount and supply timing of fuel gas and air are defined by the control unit 500 or the gas supply / discharge mechanism 600.

Like the control unit 500, the battery output control unit 700 is configured as a computer having a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, memory, and input / output ports (not shown). In addition to the temperature sensors described above for each fuel cell stack, various sensors such as an ignition switch and a wheel speed sensor are connected to the input / output ports. Then, the battery output control unit 700 uses the sensor output of the wheel speed sensor or the like as a control parameter to control the power generation of the first fuel cell stacks 11 to 3 and the third fuel cell stack 13, and also controls the addition of electric power to the load 800. Do.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of cooling monitoring control executed by the control unit 500 included in the fuel cell system 10. This cooling monitoring control is repeatedly executed while the gas supply from the gas supply / discharge mechanism 600 to the first fuel cell stack 11 to the third fuel cell stack 13 and the power generation control by the battery output control unit 700 are being executed. .. First, the control unit 500 senses the cooling state of the first fuel cell stack 11, the second fuel cell stack 12, and the third fuel cell stack 13 (step S100). In this sensing, the detection temperature of the temperature sensors 221 to 421, which is a parameter for determining the suitability of stack cooling, is input. In addition, various devices used for stack cooling in the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400, specifically, fans 212 to fan 412, pumps 213 to pumps 413, three-way valves 222 to three-way valves 422, Regarding the ion exchangers 224 to 424, as sensing of various parameters for detecting drive abnormalities and failures of these devices, output sensing of fan drive motors and pump motors 214 to pump motors 414 and drive sensing of three-way valves, Ion concentration sensing of the ion exchanger is performed.

Based on the result of the sensing performed in step S100, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the stack cooling is functioning normally in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 (step S110). In step S110, when it is determined affirmatively that the stack cooling is normal in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400, the control unit 500 determines the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the communication introduction path 330 of the communication introduction path 230. In addition to the introduction path on-off valve 350, the return path on-off valve 260 of the open-flow path 240 and the return path on-off valve 360 of the open-flow path 340 are fully closed (step S120). That is, if an affirmative determination is made in step S110, the introduction path on-off valve and the return path on-off valve described above are controlled to close under the condition that the stack cooling is normal in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400. Will be done.

Following step S120, the control unit 500 continuously operates all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 (step S130), and temporarily ends this routine. As a result, the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 will continue to function the stack cooling normally.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S110, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the stack cooling is abnormal in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 (step S140). In step S140, if it is determined affirmatively that the stack cooling is abnormal in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400, the control unit 500 indicates that the stack cooling is abnormal in all the cooling systems. After notifying the abnormality, the first fuel cell stack 11 to the third fuel cell stack 13 are set to idle operation, and the cooling operation of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 is stopped (step S150). , End this routine once. For the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400, the functional unit of the control unit 500 that executes steps S110 and step S140 for determining whether the stack cooling is normal or abnormal corresponds to the monitoring unit 510. The monitoring unit 510 monitors whether the stack cooling is normal or abnormal for all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400. Then, the functional unit of the control unit 500 that executes the affirmative determination of step S110 and then the step S120 corresponds to the first control unit 520. According to the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 510, the first control unit 520 sets the introduction path on-off valve and the return path on-off valve under the condition that the stack cooling is normal in all of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400. Control the valve closure.

As an abnormality notification when stack cooling is abnormal in all cooling systems, the control unit 500 issues a warning message such as "Please stop immediately and perform system maintenance" on the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system 10. The text is displayed on the monitor, and the above warning text is read aloud via the vehicle sound device. The transition of the fuel cell stack to idle operation is made by gradually reducing the gas supply amount from the current power generation operation, and the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system 10 stops after traveling to the parking area by deceleration traveling. It is also possible to continue the vehicle operation by the charging power of the battery after the idle operation is performed in step S150.

If a negative determination is made in step S140, the control unit 500 identifies in which cooling system of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 the stack cooling is abnormal, and stops the cooling operation of the specified cooling system. (Step S160). For convenience of explanation, it will be described below assuming that the stack cooling of the first cooling system 200 shown in FIG. 1 is abnormal.

When the cooling operation of the first cooling system 200 is stopped in step S160, the control unit 500 notifies an abnormality that the stack cooling of the first cooling system 200 is abnormal (step S170). This abnormality notification does not need to identify and notify which cooling system the stack cooling is abnormal, such as "There is an abnormality in the cooling system, so drive to the maintenance and inspection site to perform system maintenance." The warning text is displayed as text on the monitor of the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system 10, or the above warning text is read aloud and notified via the vehicle sound device. As a result, a cooling system with abnormal stack cooling can be restored early at the maintenance site. The control unit 500 stores in the memory which cooling system the stack cooling is abnormal, and at the time of system maintenance at the maintenance and inspection site, the control unit 500 mounts the cooling system with the abnormal stack cooling on the monitor of the vehicle. Display text.

Following the abnormality notification in step S170, the control unit 500 is in a situation where the stack cooling is abnormal in the first cooling system 200. Therefore, the introduction path opening / closing valve 250 and the return path opening / closing of the abnormal first cooling system 200 are performed. The valve 260 is controlled to open fully, and the driving of the first cooling system 200 is stopped (step S180). Due to the valve opening control of the introduction path on-off valve 250, the introduction path 210 of the first cooling system 200 becomes the introduction path of the second cooling system 300 at the communication introduction path 230 between the first cooling system 200 and the second cooling system 300. Communicate with 310. Due to the valve opening control of the return path on-off valve 260, the return path 220 of the first cooling system 200 is a communication return path 240 between the first cooling system 200 and the second cooling system 300, and the return path of the second cooling system 300. Communicate with 320. In this case, the other introduction path on-off valve 350 and the return path on-off valve 360 are still in the valve closing control of the pipeline being fully closed. Further, when the drive of the first cooling system 200 is stopped, the introduction of the refrigerant by the pressure pump 213 into the first fuel cell stack 11 is stopped. Then, the functional unit of the control unit 500 that executes step S180 corresponds to the second control unit 530, and the second control unit 530 has the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400 according to the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 510. In any of the above, for example, in the situation where the stack cooling is abnormal in the first cooling system 200, the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the return path on-off valve 260 for the first cooling system 200 which are considered to be abnormal are opened. Control.

Following step S180, the control unit 500 drives and controls the pump pump 313 so as to increase the amount of refrigerant circulation in the second cooling system 300 in which the stack cooling is normal (step S190), and ends this routine. At this time, the circulation amount increase control of the pumping pump 313 is 1.5 to 2.0 times the flow rate when the pumping pump 313 introduces the refrigerant only into the second fuel cell stack 12. Specifically, the control unit 500 detects and detects the refrigerant temperature discharged from the first fuel cell stack 11 and the refrigerant temperature discharged from the second fuel cell stack 12 by the temperature sensor 221 and the temperature sensor 221 respectively. The amount of increase control is specified by using the refrigerant temperature ratio. The refrigerant thus increased and sent out from the pressure feed pump 313 passes through the introduction path 310 and is introduced into the second fuel cell stack 12, and also passes through the communication introduction path 230 in which the introduction path on-off valve 250 is open. Then, it flows into the introduction path 210 and is also introduced into the first fuel cell stack 11. Then, the refrigerant introduced from the introduction path 210 to the first fuel cell stack 11 via the communication introduction path 230 is discharged from the fuel cell stack to the return path 220 while cooling the first fuel cell stack 11 and refluxed. The passage opening / closing valve 260 flows into the return passage 320 via the communication return passage 240 in which the valve is open, and is circulated and returned in the second cooling system 300. During the operation of the fuel cell system 10, the control for increasing the amount of refrigerant circulation in step S190 was continued, and when the operation of the fuel cell system 10 was stopped due to the vehicle stop, the control unit 500 controlled the valve opening in step S180. The introduction path on-off valve 250 and the return path on-off valve 260 are controlled to close.

When it is determined in step S160 that the stack cooling of the second cooling system 300 is abnormal, in step S180, the introduction path on-off valve 250, the introduction path on-off valve 350, and the return path on-off valve for the second cooling system 300 are determined. The 260 and the return path on-off valve 360 are controlled to be fully opened, and the second cooling system 300 is stopped. This is because the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the introduction path on-off valve 350, and the return path on-off valve 260 and the return path on-off valve 360 can participate in the introduction of the refrigerant into the first cooling system 200 and the circulation of the refrigerant from the first cooling system 200. is there. One of the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the introduction path on-off valve 350, and one of the on-off passage valve 260 and the on-off passage on-off valve 360 may be controlled to open.

When the third cooling system 400 determines in step S160 that the stack cooling is abnormal, the control unit 500 sets the introduction path on-off valve 350 and the return path on-off valve 360 for the third cooling system 400 in step S180. The valve opening is controlled so that the pipeline is fully opened, and the third cooling system 400 is driven and stopped.

Further, when it is determined in step S160 that the stack cooling is abnormal in the two cooling systems of the first cooling system 200 to the third cooling system 400, the control unit 500 and the introduction path on-off valve 250 in step S180. The introduction path on-off valve 350, the return path on-off valve 260, and the return path on-off valve 360 are controlled to be fully opened. The introduction path on-off valve 250 and the introduction path on-off valve 350, and the return path on-off valve 260 and the return path on-off valve 360 introduce refrigerant from one cooling system in which stack cooling is normal to two cooling systems in which stack cooling is not normal. This is because stack cooling can participate in the refrigerant circulation from two cooling systems with abnormal stack cooling to one cooling system with normal stack cooling. Further, the control unit 500 drives and stops two cooling systems in which stack cooling is abnormal, in addition to the valve opening control described above. When the stack cooling is abnormal in the two cooling systems, one cooling system in which the stack cooling is normal, for example, the pump 313 in the second cooling system 300, has the first cooling system 200 and the third cooling in which the stack cooling is abnormal. Drive control is performed so that the amount of refrigerant circulation is 2.5 to 3.0 times that of the cooling of the first fuel cell stack 11 and the third fuel cell stack 13 corresponding to the system 400. .. The same applies to the case of the first cooling system 200 and the case of the third cooling system 400 as one cooling system in which the stack cooling is normal.

As described above, in the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, for example, when the stack cooling is abnormal in the first cooling system 200, the stack cooling is normal in the introduction path 210 of the first cooling system 200. The refrigerant can be introduced from the introduction path 310 of the cooling system 300 through the communication introduction path 230 to the first fuel cell stack 11 associated with the first cooling system 200. Further, in the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, the refrigerant discharged from the first fuel cell stack 11 associated with the first cooling system 200 in which the stack cooling is abnormal is taken into the return path 220 of the first cooling system 200. Can be guided to the return path 320 of the second cooling system 300 via the communication return path 240. As a result, the stack cooling is continued in the first fuel cell stack 11 associated with the first cooling system 200 in which the stack cooling is abnormal, so that the stack cooling is associated with the abnormal first cooling system 200. It is not necessary to refrain from power generation operation or stop power generation in the first fuel cell stack 11. As a result, according to the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, even if the stack cooling becomes abnormal in any of the first fuel cell stacks 11 to the third fuel cell stack 13, the stack cooling is abnormal. For example, the fuel cell stack 12 and the third fuel cell stack 13 other than the first fuel cell stack 11 associated with the first cooling system 200 can be prevented from being overloaded with power generation operation. Can be avoided.

The fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment uses the detection refrigerant temperature of the temperature sensor 221 and the temperature sensor 221 to cover the refrigerant circulation for cooling the first fuel cell stack 11 in the second cooling system 300 in which the stack cooling is normal. The pressure feed pump 313 of the second cooling system 300 is driven and controlled so that the amount of refrigerant circulation is increased by the amount of increase control of the amount of refrigerant circulation specified in the above section. Therefore, while avoiding an excessive drive load on the pressure feed pump 313 and cooling the first fuel cell stack 11 corresponding to the first cooling system 200 in which the stack cooling is abnormal, the power generation of the first fuel cell stack 11 is performed. You can continue driving.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized by various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or one of the above-mentioned effects. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve a part or all. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

In the fuel cell system 10 of the embodiment, when the stack cooling is abnormal in the first cooling system 200, the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the recirculation path on-off valve 260 are controlled to open, and the introduction path on-off valve 350 and the recirculation path on-off are opened and closed. The valve 360 was left closed, but not limited to this. That is, when the stack cooling is abnormal in the first cooling system 200, in addition to the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the recirculation path on-off valve 260, the introduction path on-off valve 350 and the recirculation path on-off valve 360 are also controlled to open. May be good. When the introduction path on-off valve 250 and the introduction path on-off valve 350 are opened, the introduction path 210 of the first cooling system 200 is also provided from the introduction path 410 of the third cooling system 400 in addition to the introduction path 310 of the second cooling system 300. If the refrigerant can be introduced via the communication introduction path 230 and the communication introduction path 330 and the return path on-off valve 260 and the return path on-off valve 360 are opened, in addition to the return path 320 of the second cooling system 300, the first 3 Refrigerant can be introduced into the return path 420 of the cooling system 400 from the return path 220 of the first cooling system 200 via the communication return path 240 and the communication return path 340. In this way, it is possible to suppress the degree of increase when controlling to increase the amount of refrigerant circulation in the second cooling system 300 and the third cooling system 400.

The fuel cell system 10 of the embodiment has three cooling systems of the first fuel cell stack 11 to the third fuel cell stack 13, but two cooling systems of the first fuel cell stack 11 and the second fuel cell stack 12. Alternatively, it can be applied to a form having four or more cooling systems.

10 ... Fuel cell system, 11 ... 1st fuel cell stack, 12 ... 2nd fuel cell stack, 13 ... 3rd fuel cell stack, 200 ... 1st cooling system, 210 ... Introduction path, 211 ... Radiator, 212 ... Fan, 213 ... pump, 214 ... pump motor, 220 ... return path, 221 ... temperature sensor, 222 ... three-way valve, 223 ... bypass path, 224 ... ion exchanger, 230 ... communication introduction path, 240 ... communication return path, 250 ... Introductory path on-off valve, 260 ... Refrigerating path on-off valve, 300 ... Second cooling system, 310 ... Introductory path, 311 ... Radiator, 312 ... Fan, 313 ... Pump pump, 314 ... Pump motor, 320 ... Refrigerating path, 321 ... Temperature Sensor, 322 ... three-way valve, 323 ... bypass path, 324 ... ion exchanger, 330 ... communication introduction path, 340 ... communication return path, 350 ... introduction path on-off valve, 360 ... return path on-off valve, 400 ... third cooling system , 410 ... Introduction path, 411 ... Radiator, 412 ... Fan, 413 ... Pump pump, 414 ... Pump motor, 420 ... Circulation path, 421 ... Temperature sensor, 422 ... Three-way valve, 423 ... Bypass path, 424 ... Ion exchanger, 500 ... Control unit, 510 ... Monitoring unit, 520 ... First control unit, 530 ... Second control unit, 600 ... Gas supply / exhaust mechanism, 700 ... Battery output control unit, 800 ... Load

Claims (1)

A plurality of fuel cell stacks, a plurality of cooling systems provided in association with each fuel cell stack so as to circulate and return the refrigerant to the fuel cell stacks to cool the stack, and control of the stack cooling by the cooling system. A fuel cell system having a control unit for
Each of the plurality of cooling systems
It has an introduction path for introducing the refrigerant into the associated fuel cell stack, and a return path for guiding the refrigerant discharged from the associated fuel cell stack and returning the refrigerant to the introduction path.
The plurality of cooling systems
In one cooling system and another cooling system, the communication introduction path for communicating the introduction path of the one cooling system with the introduction path of the other cooling system and the return path of the one cooling system are described. The communication return path that communicates with the return path of another cooling system, the introduction path on-off valve incorporated in the communication introduction path, and the return path on-off valve incorporated in the communication return path are shared.
The control unit
Under the situation where the stack cooling is normal in all of the plurality of cooling systems, the introduction path on-off valve and the return path on-off valve are controlled to be closed.
In a situation where the stack cooling is abnormal in a part of the plurality of cooling systems, the introduction path on-off valve and the recirculation path opening / closing valve shared by the cooling system with the abnormal stack cooling with the other cooling system. Control the valve opening,
Fuel cell system.

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