JP2021064507A - Fuel cell device, control unit, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell device, a control unit, and a control program that can prevent an increase in the number of times of stop of power generating operation.SOLUTION: A fuel cell device comprises: a fuel cell; a first tank that accumulates water recovered from exhaust gas; a water supply device that supplies water to the first tank from the outside; a purifier that purifies the water supplied from the outside; a breakthrough detection device that detects that the purifier reaches its breakthrough; and a control unit that controls operation. When the breakthrough of the purifier is detected during execution of water supply control through breakthrough detection control, the control unit does not perform stop control at abnormality, but instead executes breakthrough handling control of stopping the execution of the water supply control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

The present disclosure relates to fuel cell devices, control devices and control programs.

There is known a fuel cell module including a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cell cells capable of obtaining electric power by using a fuel gas which is a hydrogen-containing gas and air which is an oxygen-containing gas are stacked in a storage container. Further, various fuel cell devices have been proposed in which the fuel cell module and auxiliary machinery necessary for its operation are housed in a housing such as an outer case.

In such a fuel cell device, excess fuel gas that has not been used for power generation is burned, and the exhaust gas after combustion is passed through a heat exchanger or the like to be cooled. At the time of this heat exchange, the condensed water generated by condensing the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is purified by an ion exchange resin (hereinafter referred to as an ion exchange resin for condensed water) to form a water tank such as a reformed water tank. Store. Then, so-called water self-sustaining operation is performed in which the stored water is supplied as reformed water to a reformer that reforms raw fuel such as natural gas by steam reforming.

Regarding the operation and control of a fuel cell using such condensed water as reforming water, Patent Document 1 states that when the water level of the water tank for storing the condensed water is lowered and the amount of water is insufficient, the water tank is described. In addition, a fuel cell device that purifies external water such as tap water via an ion exchange resin for external water purification treatment (hereinafter referred to as "ion exchange resin for water replenishment") and then supplies water (hereinafter "replenishment"). , Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-159461

The fuel cell device of the present disclosure includes a fuel cell and
A first tank for storing water recovered from the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, and
A water replenishing device including an electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve that replenishes the first tank with water from the outside.
A purification device that purifies water supplied from the outside,
A breakthrough detection device including a water quality measuring device for measuring the conductivity of external water via the purification device for detecting the breakage of the purification device.
A control device for controlling the power generation operation of the fuel cell is provided.
The control device is
Water replenishment control to replenish the first tank with external water by opening and closing the water stop valve, and
The water stop valve operation detection control that detects whether or not the number of times of the water stop valve opening / closing operation exceeds a predetermined first value, and the value of the conductivity of external water that has passed through the purification device are determined in advance. The number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve in the water stop valve operation detection control includes the conductivity confirmation control for confirming whether or not the predetermined second value is exceeded, and the number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve exceeds the first value. When the value of the conductivity in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value, the purification device is detected to have failed, and the breakthrough detection control
Abnormal stop control that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an abnormality that requires maintenance occurs,
When the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control by the failure detection control, the water replenishment is performed without executing the abnormality stop control caused by the abnormality of the failure of the purification device. It is possible to execute breakthrough coping control, which stops the execution of control.

Further, the control device of the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a fuel cell device including a fuel cell, and the fuel cell is a water replenisher including a purification device, a breakthrough detection device, and an electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve. A device is provided, and whether the number of times of the water replenishment control for replenishing external water in the fuel cell device by the opening / closing operation of the water stop valve and the opening / closing operation of the water stop valve exceeds a predetermined first value. Water stop valve operation detection control that detects whether or not it is present, and conductivity confirmation control that confirms whether or not the value of the conductivity of external water that has passed through the purification device exceeds a predetermined second value. When the number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve in the water stop valve operation detection control exceeds the first value and the value of the conductivity in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value. , The failure detection control for detecting the failure of the purification device by the failure detection device.
The control device stops the execution of the abnormal stop control for stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event requiring the stop of operation occurs, and the execution of the water replenishment control when the purification device breaks down. It is possible to selectively execute breakthrough coping control.
When a failure of the purification device occurs during the execution of the water replenishment control, the control device executes the failure coping control instead of the execution of the abnormal stop control.

Further, the control program of the present disclosure is applied to a control device for controlling a fuel cell device including a fuel cell.
A refill control step that replenishes external water inside the fuel cell device,
A breakthrough detection control step that detects the breakthrough of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device, and
An abnormal stop control step that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation is detected, and
It is a control program for executing a breakthrough coping control step that stops execution of the water replenishment control when a breakage of the purification device is detected.
When the control device detects a failure of the purification device in the failure detection control step during the execution of the water replenishment control step, the water replenishment control step being executed is performed instead of the execution of the abnormal stop control step. Stop and execute the breakthrough coping control step.

It is a schematic block diagram of the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing around the reforming water tank of the fuel cell apparatus which enlarged the F part of FIG. It is an external perspective view of a fuel cell device. It is a flow chart which shows the control flow before the start of the water replenishment control in the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows the control flow after the start of the water replenishment control in the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment.

Hereinafter, the fuel cell device of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams for explaining a schematic configuration of the fuel cell device of the embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration around the reforming water tank, which is an enlarged view of the F portion of FIG.

The fuel cell device 100 of the embodiment includes power supply by operating a fuel cell module 1 that generates electricity using raw fuel such as natural gas and LP gas, and a heat exchanger 3, a radiator, and a heat medium circulation pump. It is equipped with an exhaust heat recovery system consisting of P2 and a heat storage tank. The waste heat recovery system is indicated by the symbol HS (heat cycle) in the figure. Further, the fuel cell device 100 may be a so-called monogeneration system that does not supply hot water.

In addition to the fuel cell module 1 and the like described above, the fuel cell device 100 includes a reforming water tank 6, a power conditioner 20, a control device 30, a storage device 40, a display device 50, and the like as auxiliary devices. Further, the fuel cell device 100 includes a reforming water flow path R including a reforming water pump P1, a drainage flow path D, and various sensors. The sensor, the water detector WL 2 disposed in the second water level (lower level) _(second water level sensor), and water detectors WL ₁ disposed in a first level higher than the water detector WL ₂ ( _{A first water level sensor) and an electric conductivity meter WC 1} which is a water quality measuring device for measuring the water quality of replenished water are provided at least.

The fuel cell module 1 is housed in the storage container 10. A cell stack 11 in which a plurality of fuel cell cells are stacked, a reformer 12 that reforms the raw fuel with steam using steam, and an ignition heater for igniting excess fuel gas (not shown). , And an exhaust gas catalyst or the like filled in the catalyst container 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell module 1 is arranged in a case 50 including each frame 51 and an exterior panel (not shown).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the case 50 contains a gas pump B1 for supplying raw fuel such as natural gas to the reformer, and an oxygen-containing gas such as outside air or air, as illustrated in FIG. In the reforming water pump P1 and the reforming water tank 6 for supplying the reformed water in the reforming water tank 6 to the reformer 12 as the raw material water for steam reforming. A drainage channel D or the like for draining the surplus water of the above is arranged.

Further, in the case 50, as described above, the power conditioner 20 linked with the system power supply, the control device 30 including the control board for controlling the entire device, the storage device 40, etc., and the operation of the fuel cell are controlled. Various sensors used for this purpose are also arranged.

In the fuel cell device 100 having the above-described configuration, the heat exchanger 3 arranged adjacent to the fuel cell module 1 includes the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module 1, the water flowing in the heat exchanger 3, and the like. Heat exchange is performed with the heat medium or fuel cell of the above, and the moisture contained in the exhaust gas condenses to generate condensed water.

The generated condensed water is separated by a gas-liquid separator or the like, collected via the condensed water flow path C, and stored in the reformed water tank 6. The reformed water tank 6 is an example of the first tank in the present disclosure.

The exhaust gas from which the water has been removed is exhausted to the outside of the fuel cell device via the exhaust gas flow path E. Further, the reformed water stored in the reformed water tank 6 is supplied to the reformer 12 in the fuel cell module 1 via the reformed water flow path R and the reformed water pump P1, and the reformed water is used. It is used for steam reforming of raw materials and fuels.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion related to the power generation operation of the fuel cell and the reformed water used for the fuel cell in the configuration of the fuel cell device 100, that is, the inside of the two-point chain line F of FIG.

The reformed water tank 6 for purifying and storing condensed water is composed of a first reformed water tank 61 for purification treatment and a second reformed water tank 62 for storage. The first reformed water tank 61 and the second reformed water tank 62 are connected by a lower water pipe 65 and communicate with each other. Further, a water replenishing device 7 for replenishing the first reformed water tank 61 after purifying tap water or the like replenished from the outside is provided.

A reforming water outlet 62a connected to a suction port of the reforming water pump P1 is provided at the lower part or the bottom of the second reforming water tank 62 for storing the generated reforming water. Further, the second reformed water tank 62 is provided with a surplus water outlet 62b connected to the drainage flow path D.

_{At the lower part of the second reformed water tank 62, a water detector WL 2} for detecting that the clean water level, which is the water level of the stored reformed water, has reached the drought level, which is the lower limit water level, is arranged. .. The water detector WL ₂ may be provided so as to be located below the first reforming water tank 61.

The black dot at the tip of each sensor in the figure indicates the position where the sensor is arranged or the detection position at the tip of the probe or the like. _{Further, the drought level indicated by the detection position of the water detector WL 2} located at the second water level described above is a predetermined predetermined amount of water, that is, implementation, which is a reference for executing the abnormal stop control described later in the present disclosure. It is also an index showing the lower limit water level in the form.

The first reformed water tank 61 for collecting and purifying the condensed water to prepare the reformed water is filled with an ion exchange resin for condensed water for purifying the condensed water recovered from the heat exchanger 3. The first ion exchange resin container 63 is arranged.

A water detector WL for detecting that the water level, which is the water level of the stored reformed water, is at the first water level, which is a predetermined set water level, at a predetermined position of the first reformed water tank 61. ₁ is arranged.

Further, in the fuel cell device 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an external water replenishment tank 71 is arranged as a water replenishment device 7 for replenishing the first reformed water tank 61 with water from the outside. There is. An external water auxiliary water tank 71, between the water supply (Waterworks) or the like as an external source of water, the water refilling channel G containing water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated is provided.

The external water replenishment tank 71 is filled with a second ion exchange resin for purifying tap water or the like (hereinafter referred to as external water) replenished from the outside when the reformed water is insufficient. A resin container 72 is arranged.

The reformed water generated in the second ion exchange resin container 72 is stored in the external water replenishment tank 71, and is replenished in the first reformed water tank 61 as needed. Therefore, the bottom side of the external water replenishment tank 71 and the external water receiving port 61a provided in the lower part of the first reforming water tank 61 are connected.

Further, the second ion exchange resin container 72 is filled with the above-mentioned ion exchange resin for water replenishment for purification of external water. While the external water passes through the ion exchange resin for water replenishment, impurities contained in tap water and the like are removed, and deionized water having a conductivity of about 1 μS / cm, that is, replenished water which is purified water is purified. To.

The electric conductivity meter WC ₁ in the figure is an example of a breakthrough detection device that determines whether or not the above-mentioned ion exchange resin for water replenishment has breakage. The electric conductivity meter WC ₁ is arranged in the lower part of the second ion exchange resin container 72 in which the replenishment water stays so that the conductivity of the replenishment water which is the deionized water after the purification treatment can be measured. .. The electric conductivity meter WC ₁ may be provided at a position where the refilling water is supplied in the first reforming water tank 61 as long as it can determine the breakage of the ion exchange resin for refilling water.

The purified water is stored in the external water replenishment tank 71 via the purified water outlet provided in the lower part of the second ion exchange resin container 72, flows out from below the external water replenishment tank 71, and is the first. 1 It flows down to the water storage section in the reformed water tank 61 and is stored as reformed water.

In the fuel cell device 100 of the present embodiment, when the reforming water in the reforming water tank 6 is insufficient, the external water such as the above-mentioned tap water is purified through the ion exchange resin for refilling, and then refilled. Is introduced into the reformed water tank 6. The conditions and control of water replenishment will be described later.

The fuel cell device 100 then includes a control device 30 that includes at least one processor to provide control and processing power to perform various functions, as described in detail below.

According to various embodiments, at least one processor may be run as a single integrated circuit or as multiple communicable integrated and / or discrete circuits. At least one processor can be run according to a variety of known techniques.

In one embodiment, the processor comprises, for example, one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data calculation procedures or processes by executing instructions stored in the associated memory. In other embodiments, the processor may be firmware, eg, a discrete logic component, configured to perform one or more data computation procedures or processes.

According to various embodiments, the processor is one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or devices thereof or Any combination of configurations, or other known device and configuration combinations, may be included to perform the functions described below.

The control device 30 includes a storage device 40, a display device 50, a power conditioner 20, a fuel cell module 1, a raw fuel supply device such as a gas pump B1, and an oxygen-containing gas supply device such as an air blower B2. quality water pump P1 water supply equipment such as water supply device for water refilling channel G and the like including a Tomesuiben V _1, and the water detector WL 1 of the first water level (high _level), the second level (low It is connected to various sensors such as a water level detector such as the water detector _{WL 2 and a water quality measuring device such as the electric conductivity meter WC 1} to control the entire fuel cell device 100 including each of these functional parts. And manage.

The control device 30 acquires a program stored in the storage device 40 and executes this program to realize various functions related to each part of the fuel cell device 100. Further, the display device 50 visualizes the designated necessary information and an alarm or warning based on the instruction signal from the control device 30. The display device 50 may be provided with a sounding function for notifying an alarm, a warning, or the like by sound.

When a control signal or various kinds of information is transmitted from the control device 30 to another functional unit or device, the control device 30 and the other functional unit may be connected by wire or wirelessly. The control characteristic of the present embodiment performed by the control device 30 will be described later. In the present embodiment, the control device 30 particularly controls the replenishment of the external water described above to the reformed water storage unit. Further, in the figure, the connection line connecting the control device 30, the storage device 40, the display device 50, each device constituting the fuel cell, and each sensor may be omitted.

The storage device 40 can store programs and data. The storage device 40 may also be used as a work area for temporarily storing the processing result. The storage device 40 includes a recording medium. The recording medium may include any non-transitory storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium and a magnetic storage medium. Further, the storage device 40 may include a plurality of types of storage media.

The storage device 40 may include a combination of a portable storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and a storage reading device. The storage device 40 may include a storage device used as a temporary storage area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Next, the replenishment control when the reformed water is insufficient by the fuel cell device having the above configuration is performed as follows. The following description will be given based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, each step in the flowchart is abbreviated as "S" and is referred to. For example, step 1, step 2 ... Are referred to as [S1], [S2] ..., respectively. The same is true in the figure.

_{The control device 30 of the fuel cell device has a water detector WL 1} arranged at a predetermined height position of the reforming water tank 6 which is the first tank during normal or normal times when no abnormality is detected in the system. It is determined whether or not the water detection signal is received _{until the transmitted water detection signal is interrupted, that is, until the water detection signal from the water detector WL 1} at the first water level, which is the first predetermined water level, cannot be received. Wait while repeating the loop of S1], that is, "Yes" on the left side of the drawing in [S1] of the flowchart.

_{When the water detection signal transmitted by the water detector WL 1 at} the first water level is no longer received during the loop of the above [S1], that is, the water level of the condensed water stored in the first reforming water tank 61 is raised. When the water level falls below the first water level indicating the predetermined first predetermined water level and the branching determination becomes "No", the control device 30 first starts the external water replenishment control [S3] shown in FIG. 4B. The breakthrough determination control [S2] for determining whether or not water can be replenished is executed.

The breakthrough determination control [S2] is independently executed in the control device 30 including the storage device 40, such as a controller system or a computer system, and does not use a sensor, a measuring instrument, or the like. That is, the breakthrough determination control [S2] is a value of a computer flag (hereinafter referred to as a CP flag) indicating the breakage of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, which is preset in the program or the like constituting the control device 30 or the like. However, depending on whether it is "0 (zero)" or "1" at present, whether or not the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has ruptured before the present, or a record in which the rupture has occurred. Is not left or not. The setting of the CP flag and the abnormal stop control [S10] and the fault alarm control [S12] that may be executed when the CP flag is "1" will be described later.

Then, in the breakthrough determination control [S2], if the value of the CP flag indicating the breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is "0", the breakage has not occurred before the present, and conversely, the CP If the value of the flag is "1", the control device 30 determines that the water replenishment ion exchange resin has broken.

In the breakthrough determination control [S2] of FIG. 4A, when the branch determination is “Yes”, that is, the value of the CP flag indicating the breakthrough is “0” (Flag = 0), the control device 30 is shown in FIG. 4B. Shift to water replenishment control [S7].

When it is confirmed that the water replenishment ion exchange resin is not broken, the control device 30 starts the water replenishment control after [S3]. Rehydration control, until the water detector WL ₁ located in the first level and outputs a water detection signal is performed by repeating opening and closing operations of Tomesuiben V _1.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4B, as [S4], the external water introduction, by opening and closing the water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated disposed in the water supply passage G, is outside water Tap water is introduced into the second ion exchange resin container 72 to replenish the water. Hereinafter, the external water will be referred to as "tap water".

The refilling water that supplies tap water is such that the electromagnetically open / close type water stop valve V1 continuously opens for a predetermined first hour and then continuously closes for a predetermined second hour according to the instruction of the control device 30. It is performed by repeating the opening and closing operation. The first time for continuously opening the water stop valve V1 at the time of refilling water is set shorter than the second time for continuously closing the water stop valve V1. For example, the first time is 3 seconds and the second time is 12 seconds.

Next, the control device 30 water cutoff valve V ₁ is performed once opening and closing operation as described above, stores in the storage device 40, is already stored, the previous water stopping valve V ₁ of the The cumulative number of times of opening and closing (N) is calculated and recorded by totaling and accumulating with the number of times of opening and closing [S5].

Next, in [S6], the control device 30 determines whether or not the water replenishment ion exchange resin has reached the end of its life or usage limit. The determination is executed as a water replenishment amount confirmation control for confirming whether or not the number of times (N) of opening and closing of the water stop valve V1 described above is equal to or less than a predetermined first value (N1).

If the above-mentioned first value (N1) is 500 times and the number of times of opening / closing (N) is 500 times or less when the branch determination is "Yes", the control device 30 uses the ion exchange resin for water replenishment. It is determined that the product has not reached the end of its life, and the next step, the water amount recovery determination [S7], is performed.

Further, in [S6], when the number of times of opening / closing (N) exceeds or exceeds the above-mentioned first value (N1) and the branch determination is "No", the control device 30 reaches the end of the life of the water replenishment ion exchange resin. In [S14], it is determined that there is a possibility that the deionized water has broken, and whether or not the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has broken down is determined so as to measure the conductivity of the deionized water. The conductivity confirmation control, which is confirmed using the electric conductivity meter WC _{1, is executed.} With this configuration, the reliability of the breakthrough determination can be improved.

As described above, in the present flowchart accumulates the number of times of opening and closing the water stop valve V ₁ is opened and closed operate in [S5], compares the first value in its opening and closing times of the (N) (S6) and (N1), the When the value exceeds one value (N1), [S14] is executed. However, the refilling amount confirmation control including [S5] and [S6] can be omitted or replaced by another configuration. If omitted, each time you close the Tomesuiben V _1, may be performed to confirm the conductivity of the deionized water.

In [S14] of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4B, the second value (W2), which is the criterion for determining the conductivity of deionized water, which is the criterion for detecting fracture, is set to 100 μS / cm.

_{Then, in [S14], the conductivity of the deionized water measured by the first} electric conductivity meter WC 1 arranged in the lower part of the second ion exchange resin container 72 is 100 μS / cm or less, which is a determination standard. If "Yes", the control device 30 shifts to the next step, the water amount recovery determination [S7].

The above-mentioned [S6] water replenishment amount confirmation control and [S14] conductivity confirmation control indicate two determination conditions of the breakthrough detection control in the present disclosure. Either of the [S6] water replenishment amount confirmation control and the [S14] conductivity confirmation control may be confirmed first, and the confirmation order can be interchanged. Further, the number of times of opening / closing (N) in the above-mentioned water replenishment confirmation control exceeds the first value (N1), and the conductivity of the deionized water measured by the _{first electric conductivity meter WC 1 in the conductivity confirmation control is} When it exceeds the second value (W2), it is determined that the water replenishment ion exchange resin has broken.

In the water amount recovery determination [S7], as in [S1] in FIG. 4A, the above-mentioned external water is determined by using _{the water detector WL 1 arranged at a predetermined height position of the first reforming water tank 61.} This is a step of confirming whether or not the water level of the reformed water in the first reformed water tank 61 has recovered to the first water level, which is the first predetermined water level, by the water replenishment operation.

In the water amount recovery determination [S7], the water detector WL ₁ transmits a water detection signal, and the water level of the reformed water in the first reformed water tank 61 recovers to the first water level, which is the first predetermined water level. If it is confirmed that the operation has been performed and the branch determination is "Yes", the control device 30 normally ends the water replenishment control [S8] and returns to the start [S0], which is the beginning of the flow.

After finishing the water replenishment control [S8], the power generation operation may be stopped, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the power generation operation may be restarted. Since the control is restarted without undergoing maintenance, it does not fall under the abnormal stop control of the present disclosure.

On the contrary, in the water amount recovery determination [S7], the water detector WL ₁ does not transmit a water detection signal, and the water level of the reformed water in the first reformed water tank 61 is the first predetermined water level. until 1 level not recovered, when the branch determination is "no", the controller 30 returns to [S4], by opening and closing the water stop valve V _1, a second ion exchange resin container of tap water The water replenishment operation introduced into 72 is performed again. The water replenishment control as described above may be repeated a plurality of times so as to loop on the flowchart.

_{Further, in [S14], the conductivity of the deionized water measured by the first} electric conductivity meter WC 1 arranged in the lower part of the second ion exchange resin container 72 exceeds 100 μS / cm and is used for refilling water. When it is detected or suspected that the ion exchange resin has broken, that is, when the branch determination in [S14] is "No", the control device 30 constitutes the above-mentioned control device 30 and the like. After rewriting the value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment preset in the program or the like from "0 (zero)" to "1" [S15], the water replenishment control is stopped [ S16] and return to the start [S0], which is the beginning of the flow [S17].

Even when the water replenishment ion exchange resin is suspected to be broken, the control device 30 of the present embodiment is exemplified in [S10] if there is no abnormality other than the above-mentioned water replenishment ion exchange resin breakage. Instead of executing the abnormal stop control that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell device, the value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is rewritten from 0 to 1 [S15]. After that, the water replenishment control is stopped [S16].

Therefore, when the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control, the control device 30 in the present embodiment is caused by the occurrence of a failure abnormality in the purification device, that is, the failure of the purification device. The abnormal stop control caused by the above is not executed, and instead, the execution of the water replenishment control being executed is stopped [S16]. This is an example of the breakthrough countermeasure control of the present disclosure, and at the same time, an exceptional measure or an abnormal stop control of the abnormal stop control executed when the "abnormality requiring maintenance" described later occurs. It is also an example of an exception.

The CP flag value may be rewritten [S15] after the water replenishment control is stopped [S16]. Further, although not shown in the flowchart of the present embodiment, the failure alarm control such as [S12] for notifying the outside that the purification device has failed is performed before or after the stop of the water replenishment control [S16]. You can also do it.

Next, when the CP flag value is rewritten to "1" in [S15], the water replenishment control is stopped, and the start [S0] of the flowchart of FIG. 4A is restored, the water level of the condensed water in the tank drops again. When the flow progresses to the breakthrough determination control [S2] via [S1], unlike the one described above, this time, in the breakthrough determination control [S2], the branch determination is "No" (Flag = 1). ).

_{Therefore, in [S9], the control device 30 newly determines whether or not the water detector WL 2} at the second water level position, which is the drought position of the reforming water tank 6, transmits a water detection signal, that is, in the tank. Check if the water level of the stored condensed water has dropped to a dangerous level.

In this [S9], if the _{water detection signal from the water detector WL 2 at} the second water level position is continuously detected as "Yes", the amount of reformed water stored in the reformed water tank 6 is still large. Determining that the level has not dropped to the danger level, the control device 30 returns to the loop of [S1] described above.

That is, even if the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has broken down and the water replenishment control after [S3] cannot be executed, the fuel cell until the amount of reformed water stored falls below the dangerous level. The power generation operation of the device is continued. However, when the power generation operation is continued without replenishing water in this way, the water level of the reforming water tank 6 will gradually decrease unless the amount of condensed water collected increases.

Then, in [S9], if the _{water detection signal from the water detector WL 2 at} the second water level position is interrupted, the control device 30 determines the amount of reformed water stored in the reforming water tank 6. Judges that has dropped to a dangerous level. When the water level in the reforming water tank 6 becomes lower than the second water level, it is necessary to stop the power generation operation once [S10] and perform maintenance.

That is, the power generation operation cannot be restarted until the manual maintenance is completed. As described above, the control for stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell device when an abnormal event requiring maintenance occurs is an example of the abnormal stop control, and the above example is the amount of water stored in the tank. Is an abnormal stop control caused by the fact that the amount of water is less than a predetermined amount.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4A, the above-mentioned abnormal stop control displays, for example, information on the abnormality (cause information) that caused the execution of the abnormal stop control in association with the stop [S10] of the power generation operation. It may be notified to the outside [S11] through 50 or the like.

Further, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, after the above-mentioned cause information is reported to the outside [S11], the information that "the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is broken" is reported to the outside. The over-report control [S12] can be executed. The method of issuing the abnormality information (breakage information) in the failure report control may be the same as or different from the method of issuing the abnormality information in the above-mentioned abnormal stop control.

As described in detail above, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment do not immediately stop the operation even if the ion exchange resin breaks, so that the power generation operation can be efficiently performed.

Further, with this configuration, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment perform maintenance of the ion exchange resin for replenishment, and the drought in which the amount of reformed water stored becomes less than the dangerous level as described above. When an abnormality occurs, it can be performed at the same timing as the maintenance for resolving the abnormality. Therefore, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment can reduce the number of maintenances.

Further, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, after rewriting the value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin from "0" to "1" [S15], the CP flag "1" is used. Is not reset without instructions from the administrator including the user and the like. That is, in other words, when the control device 30 detects the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, the control device 30 executes the failure record control for rewriting the CP flag indicating the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin to "1". The record holding control that keeps the CP flag at "1" is executed until a record erasing command or the like from the outside is received.

With this configuration, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment store the rupture or suspected rupture of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, and modify as described above. When a drought abnormality occurs in which the amount of quality water stored is less than the dangerous level, in addition to signals, reports, etc. that are information issued to the outside about this drought abnormality, an abnormality has occurred in the ion exchange resin for refilling water. Information can be reliably transmitted to the administrator and the like.

The above-described embodiment is an example of breakthrough control of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment in the fuel cell device of the present disclosure. Further, in the above example, as an example of the water replenishment amount integrating device used for the refilling amount confirmation control included in the breakthrough detection control in the control device 30, it is an integration / accumulation item of the amount of water that has flowed through the ion exchange resin for water replenishment. The number of times (N) of opening and closing of the electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve V ₁ is used, but for example, the cumulative valve opening time obtained by accumulating the opening times (first time) of the electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve V _{1 may be used.} If a flow meter that measures the inflow of tap water, which is external water, into the second ion exchange resin container 72 per hour, or a water meter, etc., is provided, the value obtained from those sensors, that is, the amount of water is measured. The integrated value of the accumulated water amount may be used as an index or a reference for determining the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for refilling water. These flow meters, water meter, and the like are also examples of the water replenishment amount integrating device.

Further, for example, tap water is the external water, the inflow into the second ion-exchange resin container 72, the time and the water replenishment passage water stop valve V ₁ disposed in G is opened If it can be calculated by calculation based on the water pressure or flow rate of the external water flowing in the water supply flow path G, the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the valve opening time flows into the second ion exchange resin container 72. The cumulative amount of water produced may be used for determining the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for refilling water.

In the embodiment, as an example of "an abnormality other than the breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment" in which the abnormal stop control is executed in the fuel cell device, the water level in the reformed water tank 6 is a drought level of the second water level or less. However, the abnormal events / phenomena that require maintenance in the present disclosure are not limited to this.

In addition, the above-mentioned abnormality of the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is also included in the above-mentioned abnormality that requires maintenance because maintenance is finally required. However, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, the treatment of this "abnormality of breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment" is separated from "other abnormalities requiring maintenance" and treated exceptionally as a special case. Is.

Further, although not shown in the flowchart of the present embodiment, the present disclosure also shows a case where the conductivity of the deionized water collected in the second ion exchange resin container 72 filled with the water replenishment ion exchange resin exceeds the third value. Corresponds to an abnormal event that requires maintenance in.

In that case, the control device 30 determines that an abnormality of the electric conductivity meter or an abnormality of the water replenishment solenoid valve has occurred, and executes the abnormal stop control. The third value is a value larger than the above-mentioned second value, and is, for example, about 150 μS / cm. Whether or not the conductivity of the deionized water collected in the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 72 exceeds the third value may be determined at all times during the power generation operation.

The control device 30 and the storage device 40 of the fuel cell device can also be realized as a configuration provided outside the fuel cell device 100. Further, it can be realized as a control method including a characteristic control step in the control device 30 according to the present disclosure, or as a control program for causing a computer to execute the above steps.

Further, the cell stack device and the fuel cell module are not limited to SOFC, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell (PEFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell [Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)], and a fuel cell. , Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) and the like.

1 Fuel cell module 6 Remodeling water tank (1st tank)
61 1st reformed water tank 62 2nd reformed water tank 63 1st ion exchange resin container 64 2nd ion exchange resin container 30 Control device 40 Storage device 50 Display device 100 Fuel cell device

V ₁ Water stop valve G Water supply flow path WC ₁ Electrical conductivity meter WL ₁ Water detector (1st water level sensor)
WL ₂ water detector (second water level sensor)

Claims (7)

With a fuel cell
A first tank for storing water recovered from the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, and
A water replenishing device including an electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve that replenishes the first tank with water from the outside.
A purification device that purifies water supplied from the outside,
A breakthrough detection device including a water quality measuring device for measuring the conductivity of external water via the purification device for detecting the breakage of the purification device.
A control device for controlling the power generation operation of the fuel cell is provided.
The control device is
Water replenishment control to replenish the first tank with external water by opening and closing the water stop valve, and
The water stop valve operation detection control that detects whether or not the number of times of the water stop valve opening / closing operation exceeds a predetermined first value, and the value of the conductivity of external water that has passed through the purification device are determined in advance. The number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve in the water stop valve operation detection control includes the conductivity confirmation control for confirming whether or not the predetermined second value is exceeded, and the number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve exceeds the first value. When the value of the conductivity in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value, the purification device is detected to have failed, and the breakthrough detection control
Abnormal stop control that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an abnormality that requires maintenance occurs,
When the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control by the failure detection control, the water replenishment is performed without executing the abnormality stop control caused by the abnormality of the failure of the purification device. A fuel cell device that is capable of executing breakthrough coping control, which stops the execution of control. The cause is that the control device stops the execution of the replenishment control in the breakthrough control, and then the amount of water stored in the first tank becomes less than a predetermined predetermined amount of water. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein when the abnormal stop control is executed, the breakthrough alarm control that issues the failure information of the purification device to the outside is executed. A storage device for storing a program executed by the control device and information necessary for executing the program is further provided.
The control device is
A breakthrough record control that records the breakage detection of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device in the storage device, and
It is possible to execute a record holding control for holding a record of the failure of the purification device in the storage device.
When the failure of the purification device is detected by the failure detection control, the control device executes the failure recording control and executes the record holding control until a record erasing command from the outside is received. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2. The control device repeats the water stop valve opening / closing control for closing the water stop valve for a predetermined second time continuously after opening the water stop valve continuously for a predetermined first time. The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation is controlled to open and close the water stop valve. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein the first time is shorter than the second time. A control device that controls a fuel cell device including a fuel cell.
The fuel cell includes a purification device, a breakthrough detection device, and a water replenishment device including an electromagnetically open / close type water stop valve.
Water replenishment control that replenishes external water inside the fuel cell device by opening and closing the water stop valve, and
The water stop valve operation detection control that detects whether or not the number of times of the water stop valve opening / closing operation exceeds a predetermined first value, and the value of the conductivity of external water that has passed through the purification device are determined in advance. The number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve in the water stop valve operation detection control includes the conductivity confirmation control for confirming whether or not the predetermined second value is exceeded, and the number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve exceeds the first value. Includes a breakthrough detection control that detects that the purification device has broken through by the breakthrough detection device when the value of the conductivity in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value.
Abnormal stop control to stop the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation occurs,
It is possible to selectively execute the breakthrough coping control that stops the execution of the water replenishment control when the breakage occurs in the purification device.
A control device that executes the failure coping control instead of the abnormal stop control when a failure of the purification device occurs during the execution of the water replenishment control. For a control device that controls a fuel cell device equipped with a fuel cell,
A refill control step that replenishes external water inside the fuel cell device by opening and closing the electromagnetically open / close type water stop valve, and
External water via a water stop valve operation detection control that detects whether or not the number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve exceeds a predetermined first value and a purification device that purifies water supplied from the outside. The number of times of opening / closing operation of the water stop valve in the water stop valve operation detection control includes the conductivity confirmation control for confirming whether or not the value of the conductivity of the water exceeds a predetermined second value. A breakthrough detection control step for detecting the breakage of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device when the first value is exceeded and the conductivity value in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value.
An abnormal stop control step that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation is detected, and
A control program for executing a failure coping control step that stops execution of the water replenishment control when a failure of the purification device is detected.
When a failure of the purification device is detected in the failure detection control step during the execution of the water replenishment control step, the execution of the abnormal stop control step is stopped, and the execution of the water replenishment control step is stopped. A control program that executes a breakthrough control step.

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