JP2022051440A - Fuel cell system and operational method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To avoid the abnormality determination of a minute leakage detection function by using a fire registration function of a gas microcomputer meter.SOLUTION: At the time of determination during a predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, the operation of a fuel cell unit is switched to the operation corresponding to the start fire, which is operated at the start fire operation flow rate corresponding to the start fire registration flow rate registered in advance in a gas microcomputer meter, and during the operation corresponding to the start fire, during a step continuous time longer than a continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter, the start fire operation flow rate is continuously operated at a plurality of different start fire adjustment flow rates corrected by an adjustment value, and during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, the operation corresponding to the start fire is continued for the predetermined continuous gas detection time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and a method of operating the fuel cell system.

Normally, gas microcomputer meters installed in pipes that supply gas to ordinary households have main monitoring functions such as abnormal gas outflow monitoring, seismic sensitivity, pressure monitoring, and long-term use monitoring, as well as gas pipe leakage (especially). , Equipped with a safety function (hereinafter referred to as "micro-leakage detection function") that detects (small amount of leakage).

The minute leakage detection function issues an alarm (blinking of the alarm lamp, etc.) when the gas supply continues for a certain period of time, for example, 30 days (when the alarm counter exceeds the threshold value). The definition of "continuation" is, for example, that gas is flowing without an interval of 20 minutes or more. In other words, a flow disruption of less than 20 minutes (eg, 19 minutes) is recognized as "continuation".

Here, in the fuel cell system, unlike other gas consuming devices, it is a normal specification to continue consuming gas for the purpose of power generation.

For this reason, in the fuel cell system installed in the gas piping facility to which the microcomputer meter is applied, a certain power generation suspension period should be provided before 30 days have passed so that the above-mentioned minute leakage detection function does not work. (See Patent Document 1).

However, in the fuel cell system, when the power generation is stopped, the number of times of starting and stopping increases, and the durability of the device may decrease. Therefore, in Patent Document 2, paying attention to the ignition registration function of the gas microcomputer meter, continuous operation is performed in a predetermined fixed flow rate operation mode when the continuation of gas supply at a predetermined fixed flow rate does not reach the reference time. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-353292 Patent No. 5580237

In the fire registration function of the gas microcomputer meter, the error certification range of the registered fire flow rate is generally narrow, the controlled flow rate in the fuel cell system does not fall within the fire fire registration flow rate range, and the minute leakage detection function operates. Can also occur.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid the abnormality determination of the minute leakage detection function with high probability by using the start fire registration function of the gas microcomputer meter.

The fuel cell system according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a fuel cell unit operated by using gas via a gas microcomputer meter, and the gas microcomputer in advance at the time of determination during a predetermined minute leakage detection determination period. The operation of the fuel cell unit is switched to the start-fire compatible operation that operates at the start-fire operation flow rate corresponding to the start-fire registered flow rate registered in the meter, and the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter is longer during the start-fire compatible operation. During the step continuous time, the start-fire compatible operation switching unit that continuously operates at a plurality of different start-fire adjustment flow rates in which the start-fire operation flow rate is corrected by the adjustment value, and the start-fire compatible operation for a predetermined continuous gas detection time. It is equipped with a starter operation maintenance unit to continue.

The fuel cell system according to claim 1 includes a charge cell unit, a start-up compatible operation switching unit, and a start-up operation maintenance unit. The fuel cell unit is operated using gas that has passed through a gas microcomputer meter. The start fire compatible operation switching unit switches the operation of the fuel cell unit to the start fire compatible operation at the time of determination during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period. The starter response operation is the operation of the fuel cell unit that operates at the starter operation flow rate corresponding to the starter registered flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter. In addition, the start fire compatible operation switching unit continuously operates at a plurality of different start fire adjustment flow rates in which the start fire operation flow rate is corrected by the adjusted value during the step continuous time equal to or longer than the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter during the start fire compatible operation. As such, it controls the operation of the fuel cell unit.

As a result, even if the starter operation flow rate controlled in the fuel cell unit is out of the flow rate range recognized as the starter registration flow rate by the gas microcomputer meter, the starter registration is performed with any of a plurality of different starter adjustment flow rates. Recognized as a range of flow rates. Therefore, by using the ignition registration function of the gas microcomputer meter, it is possible to avoid the abnormality determination of the minute leakage detection function with high probability.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 2, the fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate, and the start operation flow rate is the start fire registration flow rate, the temperature inside the fuel cell unit, and the like. It is obtained by being corrected to approach the normal flow rate based on at least one of the outside temperature, the outside pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 2, the fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate. Therefore, by correction, the ignition registration flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter approaches the normal conversion value based on at least one of the temperature inside the fuel cell unit, the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure. The operating flow rate. As a result, the normal flow rate controlled by the fuel cell unit can be corrected to a numerical value (starting operation flow rate) corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of the actual gas that changes depending on the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 3, the start fire operation maintenance unit has a continuous start fire operation determination unit that determines whether or not the start fire response operation has been maintained during the continuous gas detection time, and the continuous start operation determination unit. It has a load-following operation switching unit that switches the fuel cell unit to a load-following operation according to a power load when the determination by the unit is affirmed.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 3, the start fire operation maintenance unit has a continuous start fire operation determination unit and a load follow-up operation switching unit. The continuous start fire operation judgment unit judges whether or not the start fire response operation is maintained during the continuous gas detection time, and if the judgment is affirmed, the load follow-up operation switching unit makes the fuel cell unit a power load. Switch to load-following operation according to the situation.

This makes it possible to avoid the alarm on the gas microcomputer meter and return the fuel cell system to normal operation.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 4, the fire registration flow rate is a gas flow rate corresponding to the base power generation maintenance output of the fuel cell unit.

According to the fuel cell system according to claim 4, since the base power generation of the fuel cell unit is maintained and the gas consumption is small, the actual gas consumption flow rate and the gas flow rate used for the power generation operation controlled by the normal flow rate are different. The error can be reduced.

The operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 5 is an operation method of a fuel cell system operated by using gas via a gas microcomputer meter, and at the time of determination during a predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, The operation of the fuel cell unit is switched to the fire-compatible operation that operates at the start-fire operation flow rate corresponding to the start-fire registered flow rate registered in the gas microcomputer meter in advance, and the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter during the start-fire compatible operation. During the above-mentioned step continuous time, the starter operation flow rate is corrected by the adjustment value for continuous operation with a plurality of different starter adjustment flow rates, and the starter response operation is predetermined during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period. Continue for the continuous gas detection time.

In the operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 5, the fuel cell unit is operated by using the gas that has passed through the gas microcomputer meter. The operation of the fuel cell unit is switched to the operation corresponding to the ignition at the time of the determination during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period. The starter response operation is the operation of the fuel cell unit that operates at the starter operation flow rate corresponding to the starter registered flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter. Further, during the operation corresponding to the ignition, the fuel cell unit is operated continuously at a plurality of different ignition adjustment flow rates in which the ignition operation flow rate is corrected by the adjustment value during the step continuous time equal to or longer than the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter. Driving is controlled.

As a result, even if the starter operation flow rate controlled in the fuel cell unit is out of the flow rate range recognized as the starter registration flow rate by the gas microcomputer meter, the starter registration is performed with any of a plurality of different starter adjustment flow rates. Recognized as a range of flow rates. Therefore, by using the ignition registration function of the gas microcomputer meter, it is possible to avoid the abnormality determination of the minute leakage detection function with high probability.

In the operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 6, the fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate, and the start operation flow rate is the start fire registered flow rate in the fuel cell unit. It is obtained by being corrected to approach the normal flow rate based on at least one of the temperature, the outside temperature, the outside pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 6, the fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate. Therefore, by correction, the ignition registration flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter approaches the normal conversion value based on at least one of the temperature inside the fuel cell unit, the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure. The operating flow rate. As a result, the normal flow rate controlled by the fuel cell unit can be corrected to a numerical value (starting operation flow rate) corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of the actual gas that changes depending on the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas pressure.

The operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 7 is to switch the fuel cell unit to a load follow-up operation according to a power load after the start-up response operation is maintained during the continuous gas detection time.

In the operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 7, it is determined whether or not the operation corresponding to the ignition is maintained during the continuous gas detection time, and if the determination is affirmed, the fuel cell unit is adjusted according to the power load. Switch to load-following operation. This makes it possible to avoid the alarm on the gas microcomputer meter and return the fuel cell system to normal operation.

The method of operating the fuel cell system according to claim 8 is that the ignition registration flow rate is a gas flow rate corresponding to the base power generation maintenance output of the fuel cell unit.

According to the operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 8, since the base power generation of the fuel cell unit is maintained and the gas consumption is small, the gas used for the power generation operation controlled by the actual gas consumption flow rate and the normal flow rate. The error with the flow rate can be reduced.

According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid the abnormality determination of the minute leakage detection function with a high probability by using the start fire registration function of the gas microcomputer meter.

It is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller which concerns on this embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the output of a fuel cell system and the gas consumption for each outside air temperature. It is a front view of the operation remote controller which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the variable operation operation corresponding to the start fire which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the correction process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the start fire fluctuation operation processing which concerns on this embodiment. This is an example showing the relationship between the gas consumption amount and the operation time in the variable operation process corresponding to the ignition according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system which concerns on the modification of this Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment, which is an example of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system 10 according to the present embodiment.

The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell unit 12. A hot water storage tank 14 is attached to the fuel cell unit 12, and the fuel cell system 10 is a so-called cogeneration system.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the hot water storage tank 14 is provided in the fuel cell unit 12 is taken as an example, but the fuel cell unit 12 and the hot water storage tank 14 may be separate units.

The fuel cell unit 12 includes a controller 16, a desulfurizer 20, a mass flow controller (MFC) 24, a fuel cell (FC) module 22, an inverter 28, a heat exchanger 30, a hot water storage tank 14, a temperature sensor 26, and an external pressure sensor 27. I have.

The desulfurizer 20 removes sulfur components and sulfur compounds contained in the gas supplied from the gas supply pipe 18. In this embodiment, city gas 13A is used as the gas.

The fuel cell module 22 has a reforming unit and a power generation unit inside. The gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 20 is supplied to the fuel cell module 22 via the mass flow controller 24. The mass flow controller 24 is adjusted with the gas density of the city gas 13A, and supplies the desulfurized gas to the fuel cell module 22 at a normal flow rate. The gas flow rate of the fuel cell module 22 is controlled by the normal flow rate, and the power generation operation is performed based on the normal flow rate.

In the reforming section of the fuel cell module 22, the gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 20 is reformed into a gas containing hydrogen as a main component. The power generation unit uses hydrogen to generate electricity. The electric power from the power generation unit of the fuel cell module 22 is converted into alternating current by the inverter 28, and then consumed by the electric load of the home electric appliance 42 (household electric appliances and lighting) and the like.

Hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 14. The hot water is heated by heat exchange between the high temperature exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module 22 and the heat exchanger 30. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 is used for hot water supply to the hot water supply equipment 44 (shower, bath, sink, etc.) via the backup heat source machine (BB) 32 by directly or indirectly exchanging heat, and floor heating and air conditioning. It is used for heat exchange in equipment. By using the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14 in this way, the heat generated by power generation can be used. , Energy saving.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which clean water is directly supplied to the hot water storage tank 14, the clean water is supplied to a clean water heat exchanger that exchanges heat with hot water from the hot water storage tank 14 to generate heat. It may be exchanged.

The backup heat source machine 32 includes a combustor and a heat exchange unit inside. In the backup heat source machine 32, when the hot water desired by the user cannot be supplied by the hot water from the hot water storage tank 14 (when the temperature is lower than the desired hot water temperature), the hot water from the hot water storage tank 14 is heated and supplied to the hot water supply facility 44. ..

(Configuration of controller 16)
As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 16 includes a CPU 50, a RAM 51, a ROM 52, a storage 54, an I / O 56, and a bus 58 such as a data bus or a control bus connecting them. The storage 54 stores data such as a program for variable operation for starting fire, a starting fire registration flow rate Q0, a minute leakage detection determination period counter C, a continuous gas detection time T1, a step continuous time T2, and a step change flow rate ΔQ, which will be described later. ing.

A mass flow controller 24, a fuel cell module 22, an inverter 28, and a backup heat source machine 32 are connected to the I / O 56. The controller 16 controls the operations of the mass flow controller 24, the fuel cell module 22, the inverter 28, and the backup heat source machine (BB) 32. Further, a temperature sensor 26, an outside atmospheric pressure sensor 27, and a remote control panel 34 are connected to the I / O 56.

The temperature sensor 26 is provided near the outside air of the fuel cell unit 12 and measures the outside air temperature. The measured outside air temperature data K is transmitted to the controller 16. The outside air pressure sensor 27 measures the outside air pressure. The measured outside atmospheric pressure data P is transmitted to the controller.

The remote control panel 34 is installed inside the target house where the fuel cell system 10 is installed, and has a function for the user to input a command regarding the fuel cell system 10 and a function for displaying the status of the fuel cell system 10. Have.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gas microcomputer meter 48 (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer meter 48”) is attached to the gas supply pipe 18. A branch portion B1 is provided on the downstream side of the microcomputer meter 48, the branch pipe 18A supplies gas to the fuel cell unit 12, the branch pipe 18B supplies gas to the backup heat source machine 32, and the branch pipe 18C is a house. Gas is supplied to the indoor gas appliance 40 (stove, etc.).

The microcomputer meter 48 measures the actual volume flow rate of the gas to be supplied, and has a plurality of functions (abnormal outflow monitoring function, seismic sensitivity function, pressure monitoring function, long-term use monitoring function, minute leakage) for monitoring abnormalities in gas supply. It has a detection function, etc.). It also has a fire registration function related to the micro leak detection function.

The minute leakage detection function issues an alarm (blinking of the alarm lamp, etc.) when the gas supply continues for a certain period (for example, 30 days) (when the alarm counter exceeds the threshold value). This fixed period registered in the microcomputer meter 48 is hereinafter referred to as "micro-leakage detection determination period T". The definition of "continuation" is that the gas is flowing without an interval of one hour or more. In other words, a flow disruption of less than an hour (eg, 59 minutes) is recognized as "continuation". In the present embodiment, as an example, the minute leakage detection determination period T is 30 days, and the definition time of continuation is 1 hour.

The start fire registration function is a micro-leakage detection function when gas consumption continues for a continuous determination time C0 within a predetermined error range of the start fire registration flow rate Q0 registered in advance (hereinafter referred to as "start fire registration flow rate range QW"). It does not issue an alarm. The continuous determination time C0 is shorter than the time defined as "continuation" described above in the minute leakage detection determination period, and is set to, for example, 10 minutes.

The fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment switches the power generation operation from the load follow-up operation to the ignition-compatible operation at the time of determination set to arrive in a period shorter than the minute leakage detection determination period T. The load-following operation is an operation that follows the required load. The starter-corresponding operation is an operation at a gas flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "starter operation flow rate Q1") in which the starter registration flow rate Q0 is corrected by normal conversion based on the outside air temperature and the outside atmospheric pressure.

Here, the minute leakage detection determination period counter C, the start fire registration flow rate Q0, the start fire operation flow rate Q1, the continuous gas detection time C1, the step continuous time T2, and the step change flow rate ΔQ, which are related to the start fire corresponding operation, will be described.

As described above, the start fire registration flow rate Q0 is a gas flow rate registered in advance in the microcomputer meter 48 because the start fire registration function of the microcomputer meter 48 is used. The start fire registration flow rate Q0 is registered as a flow rate corresponding to the actual volume flow rate of the gas, and this start fire registration flow rate Q0 is also registered in the controller 16 of the fuel cell system 10.

The start fire operation flow rate Q1 is a gas flow rate obtained by correcting the start fire registration flow rate Q0 to a normal flow rate based on the outside air temperature data K and the outside air pressure data P. The normal flow rate can be corrected by the following equation (1).

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the output [W] of the fuel cell system 10 and the actual gas consumption [L / h] in the case where the outside air temperature is low temperature KL and the case where the outside air temperature is high temperature KH. For example, the low temperature KL is the lowest expected outside air temperature, and -10 ° C can be assumed as an example. The high temperature KH is the highest assumed outside air temperature, and 30 ° C. can be assumed as an example. The start fire registration flow rate Q0 is set to the actual gas consumption during the base load operation (minimum output operation that can maintain the power generation function) at the time of high temperature KH. The range of the adjustment value ΔD0 above and below the start fire registration flow rate Q0 is set as the start fire registration flow rate range QW.

At both low temperature KL and high temperature KH, the actual gas consumption is almost constant from 0 to the output W1. At high temperature KH, the gas consumption is within the QW of the ignition registration flow rate between the output 0 and the output W2. At the time of low temperature KL, the gas consumption is lower than the start fire registration flow rate range QW from the output 0 to the output W3. Between the output W3 and the output W5, the gas consumption falls within the start fire registration flow rate range QW, and the output W4 becomes the gas consumption amount of the start fire registration flow rate Q0.

The operation of the fuel cell system 10 at the output corresponding to the start fire registered flow rate Q0 (start fire operation flow rate Q1: normal flow rate) is referred to as start fire compatible operation. In this embodiment, since the start fire registration flow rate Q0 is set to the gas consumption amount during the base load operation (minimum output operation that can maintain the power generation function) at the time of high temperature KH, it is within the start fire registration flow rate range QW depending on the outside air temperature. It is possible to avoid the inability to execute the power generation operation. The start fire registration flow rate Q0 does not necessarily have to be set to the gas consumption during base load operation at high temperature KH, but the maximum value of the start fire registration flow rate range QW should be larger than the gas consumption during base load operation. Need to be set.

The minute leakage detection determination period counter C is for counting the time until the determination time, which is set to arrive in a shorter period than the minute leakage detection determination period registered in the microcomputer meter 48. In the present embodiment, as an example, 25 days are counted by the minute leakage detection determination period counter C.

The continuous determination time C0 is the time registered in the microcomputer meter 48, and when the gas consumption continues within the start fire registration flow rate range QW, the alarm is not issued in the minute leakage detection function. .. In this embodiment, 10 minutes is set as an example.

The continuous gas detection time C1 is set to be longer than the continuous determination time C0 registered in the microcomputer meter 48, and is a time related to the continuation of the ignition response operation described later. In this embodiment, 90 minutes is set as an example. The continuous gas detection time C1 may be the same as the continuous determination time C0.

The step continuous time T2 is a time for maintaining the operation at the same flow rate when the start fire operation flow rate Q1 is changed stepwise in the start fire response variable operation process executed during the start fire response operation. The step continuous time T2 is set to a time longer than the continuous determination time C0 registered in the microcomputer meter 48.

The step change flow rate ΔQ is an amount that changes the gas flow rate when shifting to the next flow rate after maintaining the operation at the same flow rate for the step continuous time T2 in the start-up variable operation process. The step change flow rate ΔQ can be set, for example, in the range of the adjustment value D0, which is a half value of the start fire registration flow rate range QW.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the remote control panel 34 according to the present embodiment. The remote control panel 34 has a rectangular appearance, and a touch panel unit 34B is arranged on the upper part of the main panel 34A.

The touch panel unit 34B displays the time, operating status, set numerical values, etc., and a touch pad unit is laid so as to overlap a part or all of the display surface, so that the user's touch operation can be recognized. It has become like. In FIG. 4, the display of the main panel 34A is an example of the operation status screen, and the main panel 56 can be switched to various different screens by touching the "screen switching" which is the touch pad unit. In FIG. 4, the characters “during operation corresponding to fire” are displayed to the effect that the operation corresponding to fire fire, which will be described later, is in progress.

Further, the main panel 34A below the touch panel unit 34B is an arrangement area 34C of a plurality of operation switch groups. The operation switch group is a so-called hard switch, and operation switches related to hot water supply and power generation are arranged.

In the remote controller panel 34 shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement position, number, function, shape, etc. of the touch panel unit 34B and the operation switch group may be changed depending on the model, year, version, etc., and the remote controller in FIG. 4 may be changed. The shape of the panel 34 is not limited to the shape of the panel 34.

Next, in the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, the variable operation process corresponding to the ignition will be described. During the operation of the fuel cell system 10, the controller 16 continuously performs the variable operation process corresponding to the start of fire based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the count in the minute leakage detection determination period counter C is 25 days or more. If the judgment is denied, the process waits in step S12 until the count reaches 25 days or more. If the determination is affirmed, it can be determined that the determination date has arrived, so the correction process is performed in step S14.

In the correction process, as shown in FIG. 6, the outside air temperature data K is acquired in step S14A, and the outside air pressure data P is acquired in step S14B. Then, in step S14C, the start fire operation flow rate Q1 is calculated from the start fire registration flow rate Q0 using the equation (1) based on the outside air temperature data K and the outside air pressure data P.

Next, in step S26, the ignition fluctuation operation process is executed. In the start-fire fluctuation operation process, as shown in FIG. 7, in step S30, the fuel cell system 10 is operated with a gas consumption that is ΔQ smaller than the start-fire operation flow rate Q1. As a result, even if the gas flow rate measured by the microcomputer meter 48 is higher than the start fire registration flow rate range QW due to the instrumental error of each part of the microcomputer meter 48 or the fuel cell system 10, if it is within the range of ΔQ, the microcomputer meter 48 Therefore, it is recognized that the operation is within the registered flow rate Q0.

In step S31, it is determined whether or not the step continuous time T2 (10 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed. If the determination is denied, the process waits in step S31 until the step continuous time T2 elapses. If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the fuel cell system 10 is operated with the gas consumption of the ignition operation flow rate Q1, and in step S33, it is determined whether or not the step continuous time T2 has elapsed. If the determination is denied, the process waits in step S33 until the step continuous time T2 elapses. If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the fuel cell system 10 is operated with a gas consumption of a flow rate ΔQ larger than the starter operation flow rate Q1. As a result, even if the gas flow rate measured by the microcomputer meter 48 is lower than the start fire registration flow rate range QW due to the instrumental error of each part of the microcomputer meter 48 or the fuel cell system 10, if it is within the range of ΔQ, the microcomputer meter 48 Therefore, it is recognized that the operation is within the registered flow rate Q0.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the step continuous time T2 has elapsed. If the determination is denied, the process waits in step S35 until the step continuous time T2 elapses. If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S36, it is determined whether or not the continuous gas detection time T1 has elapsed. If the determination is denied, the process waits in step S36 until the continuous gas detection time T1 elapses. If the judgment is affirmed, it is possible that the issuance of an alarm in the minute leakage detection function of the microcomputer meter 48 could be avoided because the gas consumption is continued for the continuous gas detection time T1 at the starter operation flow rate Q1 ± ΔQ. high. Therefore, in step S20, the minute leakage detection determination period counter C is reset, and in step S22, the load following operation is returned and the process returns to step S12.

In FIG. 8, as an example, even when the fuel cell system 10 is operated at the start fire operation flow rate Q1, the gas consumption amount and the operation time are shown in the case where the gas consumption amount is slightly smaller than the start fire registration flow rate range QW. The relationship is shown. In the start-up compatible operation of the present embodiment, when the gas consumption amount controlled by the fuel cell system 10 is Q1-ΔQ and Q1, the gas consumption amount does not fall within the start-up registration flow rate range QW and is controlled by the fuel cell system 10. When the gas consumption is Q1 + ΔQ, the gas consumption is within the QW of the ignition registered flow rate range.

As described above, in the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, the flow rate of the ignition operation flow rate Q1 is shaken up and down to continue gas consumption within the range of ± ΔQ for the step continuous time T2. Therefore, even if there is an instrumental error in each device of the microcomputer meter 48 or the fuel cell system 10, the gas flow rate measured by the microcomputer meter 48 can be kept within the start fire registration flow rate range QW, and the start fire registration function of the microcomputer meter 48 can be set. Can be used to avoid issuing an alarm in the micro-leakage detection function.

In the present embodiment, the starter-corresponding operation is performed with three stages of gas flow rate, the starter operation flow rate Q1-ΔQ, the starter operation flow rate Q1, and the starter operation flow rate Q1 + ΔQ. May be done.

Further, in the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, since the start fire registration flow rate Q0 is corrected to the start fire operation flow rate Q1 and the start fire corresponding operation is performed, the difference from the start fire registration flow rate of the microcomputer meter 48 can be reduced, and the microcomputer meter 48 can be operated. By using the fire registration function, it is possible to avoid issuing an alarm in the minute leakage detection function.

In this embodiment, both the outside air temperature and the outside air pressure are used when correcting the start fire registration flow rate Q0 to the start fire operation flow rate Q1, but the correction is made using only one of the outside air temperature and the outside air pressure. May be good.
Further, instead of the outside air temperature, the temperature inside the housing of the fuel cell unit 12 may be used for correction.
Further, the outside air temperature and the outside air pressure do not necessarily have to be equipped with a device for measurement (temperature sensor or barometric pressure sensor) in the fuel cell system 10, and data obtained by an external device or communication may be used.

Further, the start fire registration flow rate Q0 may be corrected to the start fire operation flow rate Q1 based on the gas pressure and the gas temperature in addition to the outside air temperature and the outside air pressure. As shown in FIG. 9, a pressure gauge 29A and a thermometer 29B can be installed in the branch pipe 18A delivered to the desulfurizer 20 to measure the gas pressure and the gas temperature. The obtained gas pressure data PG and gas temperature KG are output to the controller 16. In addition, instead of the outside air temperature and the outside air pressure, the start fire registration flow rate Q0 may be corrected to the start fire operation flow rate Q1 based on the gas pressure and the gas temperature, or only one of the gas pressure and the gas temperature is corrected. You may.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the igniter-adaptive variable operation process, the operation at the igniter operation flow rate Q1 (trigger-adaptive operation) is continued only once in the continuous gas detection time T1 and the minute leakage detection determination period counter C is reset. , The minute leakage detection determination period counter C may be reset on condition that the continuation is performed a plurality of times. Further, communication may be performed with the backup heat source machine 32, and the case where the backup heat source machine 32 is not ignited may be added to the reset condition.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gas flow rate supplied to the fuel cell unit 12 is controlled by the normal flow rate, but it may be controlled by the same volume flow rate as the microcomputer meter 48. In that case, the start fire registration flow rate Q0 can be used as the start fire operation flow rate Q1 without correcting the start fire registration flow rate Q0 based on the temperature or pressure.

10 Fuel cell system 12 Fuel cell unit 16 controller (correction unit, ignition compatible operation switching unit, continuous ignition operation judgment unit, load tracking operation switching unit)
24 Mass flow controller 48 Gas microcomputer meter ΔQ Step change flow rate C0 Continuous judgment time C1 Continuous gas detection time C Micro leak detection judgment period Counter Q0 Start fire registration flow rate Q1 Start fire operation flow rate QW Start fire registration flow rate range K Outside temperature data P Outside pressure data PG Gas pressure data KG Gas temperature data T Micro leak detection judgment period T1 Continuous gas detection time T2 Step continuous time D0 Adjustment value

Claims (8)

A fuel cell unit operated using gas via a gas microcomputer meter,
At the time of determination during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, the operation of the fuel cell unit is switched to the ignition compatible operation that operates at the ignition operation flow rate corresponding to the ignition registration flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter, and at the same time. During the start-fire compatible operation, the start-fire compatible operation switching unit that continuously operates at a plurality of different start-fire adjustment flow rates in which the start-fire operation flow rate is corrected by the adjustment value during the step continuous time equal to or longer than the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter. ,
A starter operation maintenance unit that continues the starter response operation for a predetermined continuous gas detection time, and
Equipped with a fuel cell system. The fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate, and the start fire operation flow rate uses the start fire registration flow rate as the temperature inside the fuel cell unit, the outside temperature, the outside pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas temperature. Obtained by being corrected to approach the normal flow rate based on at least one of the gas pressures,
The fuel cell system according to claim 1. The fire operation maintenance unit
A continuous fire operation determination unit that determines whether or not the fire response operation has been maintained during the continuous gas detection time, and a continuous fire operation determination unit.
A load-following operation switching unit that switches the fuel cell unit to load-following operation according to the power load when the determination by the continuous ignition operation determination unit is affirmed.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1 or 2. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the start fire registration flow rate is a gas flow rate corresponding to the base power generation maintenance output of the fuel cell unit. It is a method of operating a fuel cell system that is operated using gas via a gas microcomputer meter.
At the time of determination during the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, the operation of the fuel cell unit is switched to the ignition compatible operation that operates at the ignition operation flow rate corresponding to the ignition registration flow rate registered in advance in the gas microcomputer meter.
During the start fire corresponding operation, continuous operation is performed at a plurality of different start fire adjustment flow rates in which the start fire operation flow rate is corrected by the adjustment value during the step continuous time equal to or longer than the continuous determination time of the gas microcomputer meter.
During the predetermined minute leakage detection determination period, the fire response operation is continued for the predetermined continuous gas detection time.
How to operate the fuel cell system. The fuel cell unit controls the gas flow rate used for power generation operation by a normal flow rate, and the start fire operation flow rate uses the start fire registration flow rate as the temperature inside the fuel cell unit, the outside temperature, the outside pressure, the gas temperature, and the gas temperature. Obtained by being corrected to approach the normal flow rate based on at least one of the gas pressures,
The method for operating a fuel cell system according to claim 5. After the start-up response operation is maintained during the continuous gas detection time, the fuel cell unit is switched to the load follow-up operation according to the power load.
The method for operating a fuel cell system according to claim 5 or 6. The method for operating a fuel cell system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the start fire registration flow rate is a gas flow rate corresponding to the base power generation maintenance output of the fuel cell unit.

Images