JP3273189B2 - Energy supply and utilization equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy supply / utilization facility, and more particularly to an energy supply / utilization facility configured to mainly obtain electric power from a fuel cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a fuel cell as a device for obtaining electric energy. 2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a fuel cell is a type of battery in which a so-called fuel such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or hydrocarbon is used as a negative electrode active material of the battery and oxygen is used as a positive electrode active material to cause electromotive combustion. In ordinary thermal power generation, fuel is burned to convert chemical energy into heat energy,
This heat causes the steam turbine and generator to operate and form electrical energy. Therefore, in this method, the conversion efficiency reaches at most 35 to 40% even in thermal power generation. On the other hand, in a fuel cell, chemical energy can be directly extracted as electric energy, so that the conversion efficiency is much higher. In addition, the demand for fuel cells is increasing in recent years, especially since they are clean without emitting harmful substances as in the case of burning petroleum-based fuel.

[0003]

However, since a fuel cell requires a long time from when it is started to when it reaches a stable predetermined power generation capacity, it is necessary to operate the fuel cell continuously rather than intermittently in terms of operating efficiency. Further, there is a disadvantage that low-load operation is inefficient and causes deterioration of the fuel cell. However, on the other hand, simply operating the fuel cell when the power demand is low is wasteful. Cooling water is used during the operation of the fuel cell.
℃ and high temperature. Conventionally, this cooling waste heat has almost always been discarded.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in particular, an energy supply / utilization facility capable of realizing efficient operation of a fuel cell without waste, and further, an exhaust system from the fuel cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy supply / utilization facility capable of achieving high-efficiency use of energy by effectively utilizing heat or exhaust gas.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An energy supply / utilization facility configured to use a fuel cell as a main energy supply source to an object of power consumption, comprising: an electrolysis tank that uses water as a liquid to be decomposed and electric power from the fuel cell as a working source; A hydrogen tank for collecting and storing hydrogen generated in the decomposition tank, and a hydrogen supply line for supplying the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank to the fuel cell, wherein the facility includes a sewage treatment device. , The sewage treatment device is an aeration treatment tank for aeration treatment of the received treated water.
And an aeration treatment provided at a stage subsequent to the aeration treatment tank
Methane fermentation tank that ferments water to generate methane gas
And water from methane gas provided in the latter stage of the methane fermentation tank.
Reformer for generating hydrogen, and water generated by the reformer
A hydrogen supply line for supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen tank
The aeration tank and the methane fermentation tank are provided with an exhaust heat supply line extending from the fuel cell to supply exhaust heat generated by the operation of the fuel cell to the aeration tank and the methane fermentation tank . It is characterized by the following.

[0006]

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the energy supply and utilization equipment according to claim 1, wherein, in a subsequent stage of the methane fermentation tank, sludge tank is provided for storing the sludge after fermentation, to the sludge tank Is provided with sludge drying means which operates using electric power supplied from the fuel cell as a driving source.

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the power demand of the fuel cell is small, surplus power can be sent to the electrolysis tank to produce hydrogen as fuel for the fuel cell. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell from being stopped or to perform a low-load operation, and to prevent waste of fuel. Further, the processing speed can be increased by utilizing the exhaust heat from the fuel cell for sewage treatment. Furthermore, hydrocarbons (methane) and times generated during sewage treatment
To generate hydrogen and use it as fuel for fuel cells.
By using it, effective use of energy can be achieved.

[0014]

[0015] In the energy supply and utilization equipment according to claim 2, the sludge produced by sewage treatment dried and solidified can be used as aggregate or the like.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an energy supply / utilization facility according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fuel cell. The fuel cell 1 uses hydrogen or hydrocarbon as a negative electrode active material and oxygen as a positive electrode active material. In this embodiment, the fuel cell 1
Is a low-temperature type that operates at room temperature.

The oxygen which is one of the fuels of the fuel cell 1 is used in the air, and an air intake line 2 is connected to the fuel cell 1. Also, the symbol S
Reference numeral 1 denotes a hydrogen supply line for supplying hydrogen as the other fuel to the fuel cell 1. The hydrogen supply line S1 extends from the hydrogen tank 4, and the fuel hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 4 to the fuel cell 1.

The electric power from the fuel cell 1 is output to the transmission line E1. The transmission line E1 is branched into transmission lines E2 and E3 toward the inverter 7 and the electrolysis tank 8, respectively. In this embodiment, a solar power generation device (solar cell) 9 and a wind power generation device 10 are provided as power generation devices in addition to the fuel cell 1. Transmission lines E4 and E5 from the solar power generation device 9 and the wind power generation device 10 are connected to the inverter 7. From the inverter 7, a transmission line E6 for transmitting the electric power converted into an alternating current by the inverter 7 to a predetermined power consumption target extends. The electric power from the transmission line E6 is mainly used for various facilities at the terminal.

The electrolysis tank 8 is for electrolyzing water to generate hydrogen and oxygen. A hydrogen supply line S2 for extracting hydrogen obtained by the electrolysis and an oxygen line O1 for extracting oxygen extend from the electrolysis tank 8. The hydrogen line 12 is connected to the hydrogen tank 4. On the other hand, the oxygen line 01
Oxygen from is suitably used for the required purpose.

In the figure, what is indicated by reference numeral 20 and surrounded by a dashed line is a sewage treatment apparatus. 21 is a sewage treatment apparatus 20
Is connected to a treated water receiving line W1 for receiving treated wastewater. This aeration tank 21
The water treatment line system includes a filtration device 22, an activated carbon adsorption device 23, an RO membrane (osmosis membrane) device 24, and the like, and a sludge treatment line system including a methane fermentation tank 26, a sludge treatment tank 27, and the like. Is configured. Symbol W2 in the figure
W5 to W5 are water pipes constituting the water treatment line system, and M1 to M3 are mud pipes constituting the sludge treatment line system.

A water pipe W2 extending from the aeration tank 21 to the filtration device 22 is provided with a water pipe D extending from the fuel cell 1.
6 are connected. Further, exhaust heat supply lines H1 and H2 for leading cooling water from the fuel cell 1 are connected to the aeration feed 21 and the methane fermentation tank 26, respectively. In this case, heat exchangers (not shown) are provided in the aeration tank 21 and the methane fermentation tank 26, respectively, and the hot water from the exhaust heat supply lines H1 and H2 is led to the heat exchangers. I have.

A reformer 30 is provided downstream of the methane fermentation tank 26 via a methane supply line (methane gas recovery line) 29 separately from the sludge treatment tank 27. Further, a water supply pipe W7 branched from the water supply pipe W5 is connected to the reformer 30. From this reformer 30, a hydrogen line S3 for sending hydrogen generated by the operation of the reformer 30 to the hydrogen tank 4 extends. Further, a water pipe W8 is further branched from the water pipe W5 separately from the water pipe W7, and the water pipe W8 is connected to the electrolysis tank 8.

A power line E7 for receiving power supply from the power transmission line E6 extends to the sludge treatment tank 27 provided at a stage subsequent to the methane fermentation tank 26. The power from the power line E7 is used as a power source for a heater (sludge drying means) 31 provided in the sludge treatment tank 27.

Reference numeral 40 in the figure denotes a plant factory for cultivating plants artificially. A transmission line E8 branched from the transmission line E6 is drawn into the plant factory 40. The plant factory 40 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas supply line G1 that extends from the fuel cell 1 and supplies carbon dioxide generated when the fuel cell 1 is operated with hydrocarbons as fuel. Further, the plant factory 40 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas supply line G2 for taking in exhaust air from a living space or the like existing near or around the facility. Also, from the plant factory 40, the plant 40
A high-oxygen-concentration air supply line O2 for extracting air with an increased oxygen concentration by a plant inside extends.

In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a garbage incineration plant for incinerating garbage. The refuse treatment plant 50 is provided with a generator (not shown) that uses heat generated by refuse incineration as a driving source. The electricity generated by the generator is transmitted to the transmission line E6 via the transmission line E9. A waste heat supply line from the waste treatment plant 50 for supplying surplus waste heat generated by waste incineration and used by the generator to the aeration tank 21 and the methane fermentation tank 26 of the sewage treatment apparatus 20. H3 is provided. Further, a carbon dioxide gas supply line G <b> 3 for supplying carbon dioxide discharged along with the incineration of garbage to the plant factory 40 extends to the plant factory 40.

Next, the operation and effect of the energy supply / utilization facility having the above configuration will be described as an embodiment. In this facility, electric energy is generated by operating the fuel cell 1, and the electric energy can be supplied to each power consumption target from the transmission line E6. Hydrogen, which is the fuel of the fuel cell 1, is taken in from the hydrogen tank 4 via the hydrogen supply line S1, and oxygen is taken in from outside air via the air intake pipe 2.

On the other hand, the power obtained from the solar power generator 9 and the wind power generator 10 can be used together with the power from the fuel cell 1. When the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 9 and the wind power generation device 10 is sufficient for the power consumption, a part or most of the power from the fuel cell 1 is sent to the electrolysis tank 8 via the transmission line E3. . In the electrolysis tank 8, water is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen using the electric power. Hydrogen generated by this electrolysis is sent to the hydrogen tank 4 via the hydrogen supply line S2 and stored. The hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 4 is used as fuel for the fuel cell 1. On the other hand, oxygen can be supplied to required facilities, devices, and the like that require oxygen via the oxygen supply line O1. In this case, a part of the oxygen may be sent to the aeration tank 21, for example. That is, if this oxygen is mixed with the air for aeration in the aeration tank 21 to form oxygen-enriched air, the aeration process can be performed with high efficiency.

In the aeration tank 21, more specifically, in the heat exchanger provided in the aeration tank 21, cooling water discharged from the fuel cell 1 and cooled to a high temperature (about 65 ° C.) by cooling the fuel cell 1 is discharged. It is supplied via a heat supply line H1. Thereby, the aeration process for the processing wastewater stored in the aeration tank 21 is efficiently performed.

The treated wastewater aerated in the aeration tank 21 is sent to the water treatment line system. This treated waste water is subjected to deodorization and decolorization treatment in an activated carbon adsorption device 23 after impurities are removed by a filtration device 22, and then subjected to final fine filtration treatment in an RO membrane device 24, and is used as domestic water. . The waste water from the fuel cell 1 is also sent to the filtration device 22 via the water supply / distribution pipe W6, and is finally purified into domestic water. A part of the water finally treated by the RO membrane device 24 is supplied to the electrolysis tank 8 through the water pipe W8 and used as a liquid to be decomposed.

The sludge content of the treated water from the aeration tank 21 is sent to the methane fermentation tank 26 by a sludge pipe M1. Here, the sludge undergoes a methane fermentation treatment, and the generated methane is sent to the reformer 30 through a methane supply line 29. In the methane fermentation tank 26, as in the case of the aeration tank 21, cooling wastewater from the fuel cell 1 is guided through the exhaust heat supply line H2, and the temperature increases the fermentation processing speed. The reformer 30 generates hydrogen from the collected methane gas (steam reforming reaction), and sends the hydrogen to the hydrogen tank 4 via the hydrogen supply line S3.

A part of the sludge that has been subjected to the methane fermentation treatment is supplied as fertilizer to the plant factory 40 through a sludge pipe M3, and the other part is sent to a sludge treatment tank 27 through a sludge pipe M2. . In the sludge treatment tank 2, the sludge is supplied to the heater 3.
1 is dried and solidified. The heater 31 is operated by the electric power supplied from the transmission line E7. The sludge solidified here is used, for example, as aggregate.

In the plant factory 40, in particular, the transmission line E
The power from 9 is used for night lighting. On the other hand, fuel cell 1
From there, carbon dioxide as exhaust gas is sent to the plant factory 40 via the carbon dioxide gas supply line G1, and indoor air is sent to the plant factory 40 via the carbon dioxide gas supply line G2. The photosynthesis of the cultivated plants in the plant factory 40 is greatly promoted by these high concentrations of carbon dioxide and abundant light. Furthermore, the growth of the cultivated plant is greatly promoted by the fertilizer supplied from the sewage treatment apparatus 20 (the methane fermentation tank 26) and the highly efficient high synthesis. The grown plants can be collected and consumed. In addition, since the plants produce a large amount of oxygen as the plants grow, high oxygen concentration air with high oxygen concentration can be obtained from the plant factory 40. The high oxygen concentration air is supplied through the high oxygen concentration air supply line O1.
The plant factory 40 is supplied to the same living space as the living space that has supplied (discharged) the indoor air.

In the refuse treatment plant 50, a generator is operated by the heat generated by refuse incineration, and the power can be similarly supplied to the power supply destination of the fuel cell 1. In addition, the surplus waste heat can be supplied to the aeration tank 21 or the methane fermentation tank 26 through the waste heat supply line H3, thereby increasing the sewage treatment capacity. Further, carbon dioxide, which is an exhaust gas component from combustion, can be supplied to the plant factory 40 through the carbon dioxide gas supply line G3.

As described above, according to the energy supply / utilization facility, the fuel cell 1 is used as a power energy supply source, and the fuel cell 1 can be stopped without stopping even when the power demand for the fuel cell 1 is small. Hydrogen, which is the fuel of the fuel cell 1, can be produced by the electrolysis tank 8 using the surplus electric power. Therefore, even if the fuel cell 1 is continuously operated, waste of fuel can be prevented as much as possible, and there is no need to stop the fuel cell 1, so that there is no need to perform a start-up operation by stopping the fuel cell 1, and high operating efficiency can be constantly maintained. it can.

Particularly, in this embodiment, in addition to the fuel cell 1,
Since an auxiliary power source such as the solar power generation device 9 and the wind power generation device 10 is provided, the size of the solar cell 1 can be reduced accordingly.

Further, in this embodiment, since the sewage treatment apparatus 20 is provided, the treatment efficiency can be improved by using the oxygen generated by the electrolysis in the sewage treatment apparatus 20 particularly in the aeration treatment step. .

Further, the waste heat generated by the operation of the fuel cell 1 is led to the aeration tank 21 and the methane fermentation tank 26 of the sewage treatment apparatus 20, whereby the processing speed of the sewage treatment can be further improved, and The battery 1 is effectively used. On the other hand, since methane gas (hydrocarbon) generated as a result of the sewage treatment can be used as fuel for the fuel cell 1, a part of the fuel is recovered, and a so-called closed system using energy (circulation system). Is configured.

Further, a plant factory 40 is installed, and the night lighting is performed by using the night power in the plant factory 40. At this time, the power of the fuel cell 1 can be used as the night power. The fuel cell 1 suitable for the above can be efficiently used. The plant factory also has a fuel cell 1
The fuel cell 1 is configured to take in the carbon dioxide gas exhausted when the fuel cell is operated as a fuel, thereby increasing the growth rate of the plant, so that the fuel cell 1 is further efficiently used. In addition, cultivated plants can be collected from the plant factory 40 for consumption, and can be cleaned by circulating room air through the plant factory 40. Further, as in the above embodiment, the sewage treatment apparatus 20
If the plant factory 40 is provided after providing the sludge, the sludge generated by the sewage treatment can be used as a fertilizer, and the efficient growth of plants is further improved.

In a refuse treatment plant, power can be generated by utilizing heat generated by incineration, and the power can be used effectively. Further, the waste heat can be used for the sewage treatment device 20 in the same manner as the waste heat from the fuel cell 1 to increase the efficiency of the sewage treatment.

[0045]

As described above, according to the energy supply and utilization equipment according to the first aspect, the fuel cell is used as a power energy supply source, and the fuel cell can be used even when the power demand for the fuel cell is small. Hydrogen as fuel for the fuel cell can be produced by the electrolysis tank using the surplus electric power without stopping. Therefore, even if the fuel cell is continuously operated, fuel is not wasted, and it is not necessary to stop the fuel cell. Therefore, there is no need to perform a start-up operation by stopping, and high operation efficiency can be constantly maintained. it can. Moreover, the processing speed of the sewage treatment can be further improved by using the exhaust heat of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell can be effectively used. On the other hand, hydrocarbons (methane gas) generated as a result of this sewage treatment are collected, fermented,
Since hydrogen can be generated and its hydrogen can be used as fuel for fuel cells, part of the fuel can be recovered, so-called closed system using energy (circulation system)
Can be configured. Further, by utilizing the oxygen generated by the electrolysis for sewage treatment, it is possible to obtain an effect of further improving the efficiency of sewage treatment.

[0046]

According to the energy supply / utilization equipment of the second aspect , sludge can be further effectively used by further drying and solidifying the sludge and using it as aggregate or the like.

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an energy supply / utilization facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell 4 Hydrogen tank 9 Solar power generation device 10 Wind power generation device 20 Sewage treatment device 21 Aeration tank 26 Methane fermentation tank 27 Sludge treatment tank 29 Methane supply line (methane gas recovery line) 30 Reformer 31 Heater (sludge drying means) 40 Plant factory 50 Garbage incineration plant S1 Hydrogen supply line S3 Hydrogen supply line G1 Carbon dioxide supply line G2 Carbon dioxide supply line (indoor air intake line) H1, H2, H3 Waste heat supply line O2 High oxygen concentration air supply line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI C02F 11/04 C02F 11/04 A F23G 5/44 F23G 5/44 Z 5/46 5/46 A H01M 8/06 H01M 8 / 06 R H02J 15/00 H02J 15/00 G (72) Inventor Kimihiko Gun 2-3-2 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Shimizu Corporation (56) References JP-A-61-263065 (JP, A JP-A-2-163007 (JP, A) JP-A-50-27930 (JP, A) JP-A-62-272039 (JP, A) JP-A-56-98342 (JP, A) 296459 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01M 8/00-8/24

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An energy supply / utilization facility configured to use a fuel cell as a main energy supply source to an object of power consumption, wherein electrolysis uses water as a liquid to be decomposed and power from the fuel cell as an action source. A tank, a hydrogen tank that collects and stores hydrogen generated in the electrolysis tank, and a hydrogen supply line that supplies the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank to the fuel cell. A sewage treatment device is provided,
An aeration tank for aeration of the incoming treated water;
Fermentation of aerated water that is provided at the latter stage of the treatment tank
Methane fermenter for producing methane gas by
Generates hydrogen from methane gas installed at the latter stage of the fermenter
A reformer and the hydrogen generated by the reformer
A hydrogen supply line that supplies exhaust gas generated by the operation of the fuel cell to the aeration tank and the methane fermentation tank. Extending from the fuel cell
Energy supply / utilization facilities that are provided . 2. The energy supply / utilization facility according to claim 1, wherein a sludge tank for storing sludge after the fermentation treatment is provided at a stage subsequent to the methane fermentation tank, and the sludge tank is supplied from the fuel cell. Energy supply and utilization equipment provided with sludge drying means that operates using the generated electric power as a drive source.