JP5311843B2 - Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen generation apparatus preventing a reforming catalyst from being poisoned by sulfur compounds in raw material and stably generating hydrogen over a long period of time, and a fuel cell system equipped with the same. <P>SOLUTION: The hydrogen generation apparatus 100 in the fuel cell system includes a desulfurizer 10 containing a desulfurizing agent which removes sulfur compounds in raw material, a reformer 4 which generates hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using raw material from which sulfur compounds are removed by the desulfurizing agent in the desulfurizer, and a controller 9 which outputs a caution signal on the exchange of the desulfurizer when the accumulated amount of sulfur compounds supplied to the desulfurizer attains to a predetermined threshold value or above, and further includes an information collector 12 which collects information on the concentration of sulfur compounds in raw material, and a threshold value setter 11 which sets the predetermined threshold value based on the information on the concentration of sulfur compounds in raw material collected by the information collector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator that generates a hydrogen-containing gas and a fuel cell system including the same, and more particularly, a hydrogen generator that desulfurizes a raw material containing a sulfur compound and generates a hydrogen-containing gas using the raw material and a fuel including the hydrogen generator The present invention relates to a battery system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuel cell cogeneration system (hereinafter simply referred to as “fuel cell system”) with high power generation efficiency and overall efficiency has attracted attention as a distributed power generation apparatus that can effectively use energy.

  The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell as a main body of the power generation unit. As this fuel cell, for example, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, an alkaline aqueous fuel cell, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), or a fuel cell such as a solid electrolyte fuel cell is used. It is done. Among these fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells and polymer electrolyte fuel cells are suitably used as fuel cells constituting the fuel cell system because of their relatively low operating temperature during power generation operation. In particular, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is particularly suitable for use in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and the like because it does not dissipate electrolyte and can operate at a low temperature compared to a phosphoric acid fuel cell. It is done.

  Many fuel cells, such as phosphoric acid fuel cells and polymer electrolyte fuel cells, use hydrogen as a fuel during power generation operation. However, in those fuel cells, the means for supplying hydrogen necessary for the power generation operation is not usually provided as an infrastructure. Therefore, in order to obtain electric power from a fuel cell system including a phosphoric acid fuel cell or a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, it is necessary to generate hydrogen at the place where the fuel cell system is installed. Therefore, in a conventional fuel cell system, a hydrogen generator is often provided along with the fuel cell. In this hydrogen generator, for example, a steam reforming method, which is one of the hydrogen generation methods, is used to generate hydrogen. In this steam reforming method, water is mixed with a hydrocarbon-based raw material such as city gas, propane gas, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, or an alcohol-based raw material such as methanol. And the mixture of the raw material and water is supplied to the reformer of the hydrogen generator equipped with the reforming catalyst. Then, in the reformer of the hydrogen generator, a hydrogen-containing gas is generated as the steam reforming reaction proceeds. Hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing gas is used for the power generation operation of the fuel cell.

  Here, the hydrogen-containing gas generated in the reformer of the hydrogen generator by the steam reforming method contains carbon monoxide (hereinafter referred to as “CO”) as a by-product. For example, the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the reformer of the hydrogen production apparatus contains CO at a concentration of about 10 to 15%. This CO poisons the electrode catalyst of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and significantly reduces the power generation performance of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. For this reason, in the conventional hydrogen generator, in addition to the reformer, a CO reducer is often provided in addition to reduce the CO concentration. With this CO reducer, CO in the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the reformer is reduced to 100 ppm or less, preferably 10 ppm or less. The hydrogen-containing gas from which CO is sufficiently removed is supplied to the fuel cell of the fuel cell system during the power generation operation. Thereby, poisoning of the electrode catalyst is prevented in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  Normally, the CO reducer constituting the hydrogen generator includes a converter that generates hydrogen and carbon dioxide from CO and water vapor by advancing the water gas shift reaction in the shift catalyst disposed therein. ing. Further, this CO reducer has a selective oxidation catalyst that advances a selective oxidation reaction between oxygen in the supplied air and CO, or a methanation catalyst that advances a methanation reaction of CO on the downstream side of the transformer. The purifier which has at least any one of these is further provided. With these transformers and purifiers, the CO reducer reduces the CO concentration in the hydrogen-containing gas produced in the reformer to at least 100 ppm or less.

  By the way, a sulfur compound in the order of ppm as an odorant is usually added to city gas or LPG as a raw material supplied to a reformer of a hydrogen generator. Here, in the case of LPG, sulfur compounds derived from raw materials are also mixed. The concentration of the sulfur compound derived from this raw material reaches several tens of ppm depending on the production area. On the other hand, the Ru catalyst that is most often used as a reforming catalyst for household fuel cell systems has a low resistance to sulfur poisoning, and is therefore easily deteriorated by a small amount of sulfur compounds.

  For this reason, the conventional fuel cell system for home use is usually configured such that the desulfurization treatment is performed before the raw material is introduced into the reforming catalyst of the reformer. For example, in a fuel cell system including a conventional phosphoric acid fuel cell, hydrogen is added to a raw material under a high temperature condition of 250 to 350 ° C., and a hydrogenation reaction proceeds using a predetermined reaction catalyst. A hydrodesulfurization treatment is performed in which hydrogen sulfide produced by the reaction is removed with zinc oxide or the like under a temperature condition of about 350 ° C.

  However, such a fuel cell system equipped with a conventional phosphoric acid fuel cell needs to appropriately heat a predetermined reaction catalyst, zinc oxide, etc. for hydrodesulfurization treatment, on the other hand, at high temperature conditions Since it is necessary to add hydrogen to a raw material below, the structure has the subject that it becomes comparatively complicated. In addition, when the fuel cell system including the phosphoric acid fuel cell is used for household use, it is desired to perform start / stop operation every day in summer when the demand for hot water is low in order to improve the overall efficiency. However, since a hydrodesulfurization process that requires appropriate heating of a predetermined reaction catalyst, zinc oxide, or the like is performed, it is not possible to expect a quick start-up operation.

  Therefore, in order to solve the first conventional problem, an ultrahigh-order desulfurization method having a certain degree of desulfurization performance even at room temperature has been proposed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  This ultra-high-order desulfurization method has the advantage that the life of the reforming catalyst can be extended because it is possible to remove low-concentration sulfur compounds that cannot be removed by conventional desulfurization treatment. ing. However, in this ultra-high-order desulfurization method, it is necessary to perform the hydrodesulfurization treatment under a high temperature condition of 250 ° C. during normal use, so the conventional problem that the configuration of the fuel cell system becomes relatively complicated is It is not completely resolved.

  Therefore, in order to solve the conventional second problem, a desulfurization method that adsorbs a sulfur compound at room temperature using zeolite as an adsorbent has been proposed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2). Here, in recent years, it has been reported that Ag-Y type zeolite and Ag-β type zeolite are effective for adsorption of odorants in city gas (for example, see Non-Patent Document 3).

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional proposal, when the adsorption amount of the adsorbent becomes close to the saturated adsorption amount, the desulfurization capacity of the adsorbent decreases, and the sulfur compound is discharged toward the reforming catalyst located downstream of the desulfurizer. Therefore, in the fuel cell system for home use, it is necessary to replace the adsorbent every six months or every year. Here, when the power generation operation is performed under a large load for a long time or when the desulfurization agent is not replaced during maintenance, the desulfurization capacity of the desulfurizer is broken through, so that the reformer A sulfur compound is supplied to the reforming catalyst. In this case, the reforming catalyst easily deteriorates. Incidentally, the poisoning of the reforming catalyst by the sulfur compound is an irreversible poisoning. Therefore, once the reforming catalyst deteriorates, in the worst case, it may be necessary to replace the hydrogen generator itself. .

Therefore, a fuel cell system has been proposed that transmits a message indicating that the replacement time has come to the maintenance terminal when the cumulative use amount of the raw material exceeds a predetermined reference value for the replacement time of the desulfurizer (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
T. Horiuchi, O. Okada, Y. Hisazumi, in: Proceedings of 1st. Int. Cokemaking. Cognr., 2, (14), 1987, p. 1. H. Wakita, Y. Tachibana, M. Hosaka, Moicroporous and Mesoporous Materials, 46 (2001) 237. S. Satokawa, Y. Kobayashi, H. Fujiki, in: M. Anpo, M. Onaka, H. Yamashita (Eds.), Science and Technology in Catalysis 2002, Kodansha and Elsevier, 2003, p. 399. JP 2004-362856 A

  However, for example, when city gas is used as a raw material, the concentration of sulfur compounds contained in city gas differs depending on the area where the fuel cell system is installed (eg, Tokyo gas area, Osaka gas area, etc.). Despite the fact that the optimal replacement time differs, if all the replacement times (predetermined reference values in Patent Document 1) are set to the same value, depending on the replacement time setting, the desulfurizer May be replaced after breakthrough, and the reforming catalyst may deteriorate, resulting in an installation area where the durability of the hydrogen generator is reduced. Further, it is difficult to predict which area is installed in the manufacturing stage, and it is difficult for the manufacturer of the fuel cell system to set an optimal replacement time in the manufacturing stage.

  In addition, when using LPG as a raw material, even if the area where the fuel cell system is installed is known at present, some LPG companies may wholesale from a plurality of former sales companies. Whether the output gas LPG is supplied is not known unless it is an LPG company, and it is impossible for the manufacturer of the fuel cell system to set an optimal replacement time in advance.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and by making it possible to set an optimal desulfurizer replacement time in the installation area, the desulfurizer breaks through and sulfur in the raw material An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator that suppresses poisoning of a reforming catalyst by a compound and can stably generate hydrogen over a long period of time.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitable fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator according to the present invention that can stably generate hydrogen over a long period of time.

  In order to solve the above problems, a characteristic hydrogen generator according to the present invention includes a desulfurizer including a desulfurizing agent that removes sulfur compounds in a raw material, and a raw material from which sulfur compounds are removed by the desulfurizing agent of the desulfurizer. A reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using a controller, and a controller that outputs a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer when a cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer exceeds a predetermined threshold value; An information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material, and the predetermined information based on the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the information acquisition unit And a threshold value setter for setting the threshold value.

  With this configuration, the optimal replacement time for the area where the fuel cell system is installed is set by the installer, user, LPG company, etc., and a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer is output at the optimal time. Exchange is encouraged. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the reforming catalyst of the hydrogen generator from being poisoned by the sulfur compound due to breakthrough of the desulfurizer, and to provide hydrogen stably over a long period of time.

  In this case, the controller reduces the flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer or reduces the operation time of the hydrogen generator when the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer exceeds a predetermined threshold. Or the operation of the hydrogen generator is stopped.

  With this configuration, whether the flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer is reduced or the operation time of the hydrogen generator is reduced before the reforming catalyst of the hydrogen generator is greatly poisoned by the sulfur compound. Alternatively, since the operation of the hydrogen generator is stopped, it is possible to supply hydrogen stably over a long period of time only by replacing the desulfurizer.

  In the above case, the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount includes the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer that indirectly indicates the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount, the cumulative water supply amount to the reformer, and the hydrogen generator. Or the number of times the hydrogen generator is started or stopped.

  With such a configuration, as the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount, the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer indirectly indicating this, the cumulative water supply amount to the reformer, the cumulative operation time of the hydrogen generator, or the hydrogen generator Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the accumulated supply amount of the sulfur compound with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the above case, the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound is information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound, information related to the type of the raw material, positional information of the hydrogen generator, or supply source of the raw material. Including any such information.

  With this configuration, in addition to direct information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound, any of indirect information such as information related to the type of raw material, position information of the hydrogen generator, or information related to the supply source of the raw material Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the concentration of the sulfur compound with a simple configuration.

  In the above case, the raw material is supplied by a cylinder, and the information acquisition unit transmits information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound from a transmitter that transmits information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound provided in the cylinder. To get.

  With such a configuration, the information acquisition device easily and accurately acquires the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material with a simple configuration even when the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material is different for each cylinder. It becomes possible.

  In the above case, the controller outputs a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer to a maintenance company of the desulfurizer.

  With such a configuration, the controller outputs a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer to the maintenance company when the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is possible to exchange the desulfurizer fastest. This makes it possible to promptly perform replacement of the desulfurizer with the maintenance company.

  On the other hand, a characteristic fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a characteristic hydrogen generator according to the present invention as described above, a hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the hydrogen generator, an oxygen-containing gas, And a fuel cell that generates electricity using

  With such a configuration, since the characteristic hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention capable of stably generating hydrogen over a long period of time is provided, a suitable fuel cell system capable of supplying power stably over a long period of time is provided. It becomes possible to provide.

  According to the hydrogen generator according to the present invention, by setting an optimal replacement time for each installation area, it is possible to prevent the desulfurizer from breaking through and the reforming catalyst from rapidly deteriorating due to the sulfur compound. Therefore, hydrogen can be supplied stably over a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to provide a suitable fuel cell system capable of supplying power stably over a long period of time.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the hydrogen generator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, only the components necessary for explaining the present invention are shown, and the other components are not shown. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, an example in which LPG is used as a raw material for generating a hydrogen-containing gas is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 according to the present embodiment allows the LPG stored in the LPG cylinder 15 to pass through a desulfurizer 10 filled with an adsorbing desulfurizing agent, and then to the reformer 4 described later. A raw material supply device 1 is provided. Here, the raw material supply apparatus 1 includes a flow rate adjusting valve 1a, and the reformer while appropriately adjusting the supply amount of LPG from the LPG cylinder 15 to the reformer 4 by the operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 1a. LPG as a raw material is supplied to No.4.

  Moreover, this raw material supply apparatus 1 is provided with the flow volume detection part 1b. Here, the flow rate detection unit 1b appropriately detects the flow rate of LPG supplied from the raw material supply device 1 toward the reformer 4. And this flow volume detection part 1b outputs the electrical signal according to the flow volume of LPG. Based on the output signal of the flow rate detector 1b, the flow rate adjustment valve 1a is controlled. Thereby, the supply amount of LPG from the raw material supply apparatus 1 to the reformer 4 is appropriately adjusted.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, this hydrogen generator 100 introduces water for generating water vapor from water infrastructure such as tap water and supplies it to the reformer 4 described above. It has. In the present embodiment, water supplied to the reformer 4 is water that has been subjected to water purification treatment with an ion exchange resin.

  In the present embodiment, the water supply device 2 includes a flow rate adjusting valve 2a, and the operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 2a appropriately controls the amount of water supplied from the water infrastructure such as tap water to the reformer 4. While adjusting, water is supplied to the reformer 4. The water supply device 2 includes a flow rate detection unit 2b. The flow rate detection unit 2 b detects the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply device 2 toward the reformer 4. And this flow volume detection part 2b outputs the electrical signal according to the flow volume of water. Based on the output signal of the flow rate detector 2b, the flow rate adjustment valve 2a is appropriately controlled. Thereby, the amount of water supplied from the water supply device 2 to the reformer 4 is adjusted appropriately.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 includes an air supply device 3 that introduces air as an oxygen supply source from the atmosphere and supplies the air to a purifier 6 to be described later. The air supply device 3 includes a blower 3a. The operation of the blower 3a is appropriately controlled by a control device 9 to be described later, so that the supply amount of air from the atmosphere to the purifier 6 is appropriately adjusted, and the blower 3a serves as an oxygen supply source toward the purifier 6. Supply the air.

  On the other hand, the hydrogen generator 100 according to the present embodiment includes a reformer 4, a transformer 5, and a purifier 6 in addition to the raw material supply device 1, the water supply device 2, and the air supply device 3 described above. Yes.

  The reformer 4 is supplied with LPG as a raw material from the raw material supply device 1, and is supplied with water for generating water vapor from the water supply device 2, and is subjected to steam reforming by a reforming catalyst not shown in FIG. As the reaction proceeds, a hydrogen-containing gas is generated. Here, when the hydrogen-containing gas is generated in the reformer 4, the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 is heated and kept at a temperature suitable for the progress of the steam reforming reaction. The reforming catalyst is heated and kept warm using, for example, thermal energy generated by the combustion of the hydrogen-containing gas. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the reformer 4 of the hydrogen generator 100 includes a heater 4a. This heater 4a is used for power generation discharged from a part of LPG supplied as a raw material, a hydrogen-containing gas from which CO discharged from the hydrogen generator 100 is not sufficiently removed, or a fuel cell 8 described later. Thermal energy is generated by burning surplus hydrogen-containing gas that has not been produced. The reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 is heated and kept at a temperature suitable for the progress of the steam reforming reaction by the heat energy generated by the heater 4a. Thereby, the reformer 4 produces | generates hydrogen containing gas.

  In the present embodiment, a Ru catalyst is used as the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4. In this case, when the hydrogen-containing gas is generated, the reforming catalyst is heated to a temperature of about 600 ° C. to 700 ° C. by the heater 4a. Thereby, the reformer 4 produces | generates the hydrogen containing gas which contains hydrogen as a main component. In the present embodiment, an example in which a Ru catalyst is used as the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, a mode in which a Ni catalyst is used may be used. Good. Even in this form, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the case of the present embodiment. In addition, although Ni catalyst has high sulfur poisoning resistance, since it is easy to raise | generate carbon deposition, the catalyst characteristic will fall by troubles, such as a water supply stop. Therefore, the Ni catalyst has a high risk when used as a catalyst in a domestic fuel cell system that frequently starts and stops. For this reason, in general, a Ru catalyst that has low sulfur poisoning resistance but is difficult to deposit carbon is preferably used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 includes a transformer 5 on the downstream side with respect to the supply direction of the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the reformer 4. The shifter 5 is supplied with a hydrogen-containing gas from the reformer 4 and advances a water gas shift reaction by a shift catalyst (not shown in FIG. 1), thereby reducing CO in the hydrogen-containing gas. Here, when CO is reduced, the shift catalyst of the shift converter 5 is heated and kept at a temperature suitable for the progress of the water gas shift reaction. The shift catalyst is heated and kept warm, for example, by heating and keeping the shift catalyst with a high-temperature hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the transformer 5 of the hydrogen generator 100 does not have a heater corresponding to the heater 4 a included in the reformer 4.

  In the present embodiment, a transition metal catalyst made of Pt is used as the shift catalyst of the shift converter 5. In this case, when reducing the CO concentration in the hydrogen-containing gas, the shift catalyst provided in the shift converter 5 is brought to a temperature of about 200 ° C. to 300 ° C. by the high-temperature hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer 4. Until heated. As a result, the transformer 5 reduces CO in the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the reformer 4 from about 10-15% to about 0.3% by a water gas shift reaction in which CO and water vapor are reacted. To do. In the present embodiment, the transition metal catalyst made of Pt is used as the shift catalyst of the transformer 5, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, a catalyst made of Cu—Zn is used. It is good also as a form to use. Even in this form, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the case of the present embodiment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 includes a purifier 6 on the downstream side with respect to the supply direction of the hydrogen-containing gas in which the CO concentration is reduced in the transformer 5. The purifier 6 is supplied with a hydrogen-containing gas in which CO is reduced by a water gas shift reaction from the transformer 5, and is supplied with air as a supply source of oxygen (oxidant) from the air supply device 3. FIG. Then, the selective oxidation reaction proceeds by a purification catalyst (not shown) (in this embodiment, a selective oxidation catalyst), thereby further reducing CO in the hydrogen-containing gas. When CO in the hydrogen-containing gas is further reduced, the selective oxidation catalyst of the purifier 6 is heated and kept at a temperature suitable for the progress of the selective oxidation reaction. The selective oxidation catalyst is heated and kept warm by, for example, the high-temperature hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the transformer 5 or the reaction heat generated when the selective oxidation reaction proceeds. Is done by. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the purifier 6 also does not have a heater corresponding to the heater 4 a included in the reformer 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the purifier 6 includes a temperature detector 6 a for detecting the temperature of the selective oxidation catalyst or at least one of the temperatures in the purifier 6. The temperature detector 6 a includes a temperature detection element such as a thermistor, for example, and the temperature detection element such as the thermistor is provided at a predetermined position such as the inside of the selective oxidation catalyst layer or the inside of the purifier 6. In this temperature detector 6a, for example, the electrical resistance of the thermistor changes according to the temperature of the selective oxidation catalyst, the temperature of the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the purifier 6 or the like. Based on the change in electrical resistance of the thermistor included in the temperature detector 6a, the selective oxidation catalyst included in the purifier 6 is heated and kept at a temperature suitable for the progress of the selective oxidation reaction. Thereby, the purifier 6 further reduces CO in the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the transformer 5.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator 100 according to the present embodiment is arranged downstream of the supply direction of the hydrogen-containing gas in which CO is further reduced by the purifier 6. The flow path switching valve 7 is provided. The flow path switching valve 7 is constituted by, for example, a three-way valve, and the supply destination of the hydrogen-containing gas in which CO generated in the hydrogen generator 100 is sufficiently reduced is changed to a fuel cell 8 and a hydrogen generator 100 described later. It switches suitably between the heaters 4a in the quality device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator 100 includes a fuel cell 8 as a main body of the power generation unit. In the present embodiment, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell is used as the fuel cell 8. In this polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a hydrogen-containing gas with sufficiently reduced CO produced by the hydrogen generator 100 is supplied to the anode side, and air is supplied from the atmosphere to the cathode side, When a predetermined electrochemical reaction proceeds on the electrode catalyst, a predetermined power is output. As the fuel cell 8, in addition to the solid polymer fuel cell, for example, a phosphoric acid fuel cell can be used. Since the operating temperature of this phosphoric acid fuel cell is relatively low compared to other fuel cells, it is suitably used as a fuel cell 8 constituting a fuel cell system together with a solid polymer fuel cell. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 9 that appropriately controls the operation of each component constituting the hydrogen generator 100 and the fuel cell system.

  The control device 9 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) as a main body of a calculation unit, a storage unit, and the like (not shown in FIG. 1). Further, the control device 9 is configured to control the raw material supplied from the raw material supply device 1 to the reformer 4 based on output signals of the flow rate detection unit 1b and the flow rate detection unit 2b included in the raw material supply device 1 and the water supply device 2. It is possible to detect a cumulative supply amount (that is, a cumulative supply amount of raw material supplied to the desulfurizer 10 described later), a cumulative supply amount of water supplied from the water supply device 2 to the reformer 4, and the like. Has been. Further, the control device 9 can detect the accumulated power generation amount of the fuel cell 8 and the number of times of starting or stopping the hydrogen generator 100 based on an output signal of an inverter or the like (not shown) provided in the fuel cell system. It is configured to be possible. In addition, the control device 9 includes a timer unit. This timekeeping unit determines the continuous operation time and cumulative operation time of the components such as the fuel cell system and the hydrogen generator 100, the elapsed time when a processing instruction stored in advance in the storage unit is executed, as necessary. To measure. That is, in the present embodiment, the control device 9 is configured to be able to measure the continuous operation time and the cumulative operation time of components such as the fuel cell system and the hydrogen generation device 100.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the control device 9 is configured to indirectly supply a cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 described later, a cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer 10, and a cumulative water supply amount to the reformer 4. Although it is configured to be able to detect the cumulative operation time of the hydrogen generator 100 or the number of times the hydrogen generator 100 is started or stopped, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the control device 9 may directly detect the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer 10. In any form, a predetermined effect according to the present invention can be obtained.

  In addition, the control device 9 according to the present embodiment reduces the supply amount of raw material per unit time to the desulfurizer 10 when the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 described later becomes a predetermined threshold value or more. Alternatively, it is configured to output a warning signal (warning signal for prompting the maintenance company to replace the desulfurizer 10) regarding the replacement of the desulfurizer 10. This configuration is realized by storing a predetermined program in the storage unit of the control device 9.

  Note that a program related to the operation of each component of the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control device 9. And based on the program memorize | stored in this memory | storage part, the control apparatus 9 controls appropriately the operation | movement of the hydrogen production | generation apparatus 100 and a fuel cell system suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 includes a desulfurizer 10 for removing sulfur compounds in the raw material supplied from the LPG cylinder 15. And this desulfurizer 10 is equipped with the desulfurization agent which removes a sulfur compound by adsorption | suction, for example. The raw material from which the sulfur compound is removed by the desulfurizing agent is supplied from the desulfurizer 10 toward the raw material supply apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 according to the present embodiment is a barcode reader 12 as an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in the raw material supplied by the LPG cylinder 15. And a threshold setting unit 11 that sets a predetermined threshold based on information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the barcode reader 12.

  In the present embodiment, the barcode reader 12 acquires information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the LPG cylinder 15 by reading the information of the barcode 15 a included in the LPG cylinder 15. As information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in the raw material, for example, in addition to information directly related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in the raw material, information related to the type of raw material and information related to the supplier of the raw material Including either And the control apparatus 9 recognizes the density | concentration of the sulfur compound in a raw material based on the predetermined information read with the barcode reader 12. FIG. Specifically, the barcode 15a included in the LPG cylinder 15 includes the concentration information of the sulfur compound in the raw material, and the barcode reader 12 reads the concentration information of the sulfur compound. Thereby, the control device 9 directly recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the LPG cylinder 15. Alternatively, the barcode 15a included in the LPG cylinder 15 includes information related to the company that manufactured or distributed the LPG cylinder 15, and the barcode reader 12 reads information related to the company. In this case, the control device 9 indirectly recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material based on the correlation information stored in advance between the information read by the barcode reader 12 and the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material. In addition, although mentioned later, when the city gas as a raw material is supplied to the hydrogen generator 100 from the city gas infrastructure, information relating to the installation location of the hydrogen generator 100 (position information of the hydrogen generator 100) Is acquired by the information acquirer. And the control apparatus 9 recognizes the density | concentration of the sulfur compound in a raw material based on the information which concerns on the installation place of the hydrogen production | generation apparatus 100 which the information acquisition device acquired.

  In the present embodiment, the threshold setting device 11 reduces the raw material supply amount per unit time to the desulfurizer 10 based on the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the barcode reader 12. Or the predetermined threshold value which concerns on whether the warning signal regarding replacement | exchange of the desulfurizer 10 is output is set. For example, when the threshold value setter 11 recognizes that the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material is relatively high, based on the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the barcode reader 12 The predetermined threshold value is set to a relatively low threshold value in order to reduce the feed rate per unit time to the desulfurizer 10 after a relatively short period of time. On the other hand, when the threshold value setter 11 recognizes that the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material is relatively low based on the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the barcode reader 12 In order to reduce the feed rate per unit time to the desulfurizer 10 after a relatively long period of time, the predetermined threshold is set to a relatively high threshold. Note that such a program related to the operation of the threshold setting device 11 is also stored in the storage unit of the control device 9 in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment, each component is connected to each other by a predetermined connection pipe, wiring material, or the like.

  Next, a characteristic operation of the hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which LPG is supplied from the raw material supply apparatus 1 toward the reformer 4 is illustrated.

  In the present embodiment, when the fuel cell system is started by an operator of the fuel cell system or the control device 9, the control device 9 performs a predetermined preparation operation for starting the power generation operation of the fuel cell 8. Control the operation of the fuel cell system.

  When the predetermined preparation operation for starting the power generation operation of the fuel cell 8 is performed and it is detected that the temperature of the reforming catalyst included in the reformer 4 has reached the predetermined temperature, the control device 9 Control is performed so that LPG as a raw material is supplied from the raw material supply apparatus 1 to the reformer 4 at a predetermined supply amount. In addition, the control device 9 starts supplying LPG from the raw material supply device 1 to the reformer 4, and supplies water from the water supply device 2 to the reformer 4 of the hydrogen generator 100 at a predetermined supply amount. To control.

  Here, until the temperature of the shift catalyst and the selective oxidation catalyst of the shift converter 5 and the purifier 6 in the hydrogen generator 100 reaches a predetermined temperature, the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the hydrogen generator 100 has a high concentration. Of CO. Therefore, in the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment, the control device 9 appropriately controls the flow path switching valve 7 so that the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the hydrogen generation device 100 is supplied to the fuel cell 8. Without being supplied to the heater 4a of the reformer 4. Then, the heater 4a of the reformer 4 heats and keeps the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 using the hydrogen-containing gas whose CO concentration is not sufficiently reduced as fuel.

  Thereafter, when the operation temperatures of the reformer 4, the transformer 5, and the purifier 6 reach the predetermined operation temperatures, the control device 9 controls the flow switching valve 7 so that the control device 9 Then, the supply of the hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel cell 8 is started. In addition, the control device 9 controls the supply of the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen generator 100 to the fuel cell 8 so that air is supplied to the fuel cell 8 from the atmosphere. Thereby, the fuel cell 8 starts a power generation operation. Note that the anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell 8 is supplied to the heater 4a. The heater 4a heats the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 by burning the anode off gas.

  And in this Embodiment, the control apparatus 9 is the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer 10, the cumulative water supply amount to the reformer 4, the cumulative operation time of the hydrogen generator 100, or the hydrogen generator 100. When the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 is recognized based on information such as the number of start times or the number of stop times, and when it is detected that the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount has reached a predetermined threshold value or more, the flow control valve 1a The flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer 10 is reduced, the operation time of the hydrogen generator 100 is reduced, or the operation of the hydrogen generator 100 is stopped.

  For example, the control device 9 recognizes the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 based on the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer 10. And if the control apparatus 9 detects that the accumulation sulfur compound supply amount reached | attained the 1st threshold value, it will reduce the supply amount upper limit of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer 10 by the flow regulating valve 1a, The production amount upper limit value related to the production of the hydrogen-containing gas by the hydrogen production device 100 is reduced. As a result, the maximum output of the fuel cell 8 is reduced, but the situation where the desulfurization agent breaks through before the replacement time of the desulfurizer 10 is reached and the sulfur compound is supplied to the reforming catalyst of the reformer 4 is avoided. It becomes possible. In this case, the desulfurizer 10 is provided by limiting the operation time per day of the hydrogen generator 100 instead of reducing the upper limit of the generation amount related to the generation of the hydrogen-containing gas by the hydrogen generator 100. It is good also as a form which avoids breakthrough of a desulfurization agent. Even if it is such a form, the same effect as the case where the production amount upper limit concerning the production | generation of the hydrogen containing gas by the hydrogen production | generation apparatus 100 is reduced can be acquired.

  Further, for example, when the control device 9 detects that the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 has exceeded the first threshold value and has reached the second threshold value, the desulfurizing agent in the desulfurizer 10 breaks through. Since the danger further increases, the operation of the hydrogen generator 100 is forcibly stopped. In this case, the control device 9 prompts the replacement of the desulfurizer 10 by taking measures such as displaying “Please replace the desulfurizer” on the display screen of the remote control device of the fuel cell system. Thereby, it is possible to promptly resume normal power generation operation of the fuel cell system.

  Further, when the control device 9 detects that the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 has exceeded the first and second threshold values and has reached the third threshold value, the desulfurizer in the desulfurizer 10 breaks through. Therefore, a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer 10 is transmitted to the maintenance company of the desulfurizer 10. Here, the warning signal is transmitted from the control device 9 to the maintenance company of the desulfurizer 10, for example, the control device 9 and the service server of the maintenance company are connected to each other by a wired telephone line or a wireless telephone line, and the wired telephone is connected. This is done via a line or a wireless telephone line. As a result, the maintenance company can be promptly replaced with the desulfurizer 10.

  In the present embodiment, the LPG cylinder 15 for supplying the raw material to the hydrogen generator 100 is periodically replaced. When the replacement is performed, a new barcode 15a is read by the barcode reader 12. . Thereby, information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the new LPG cylinder 15 is updated. Then, at the next operation of the fuel cell system, a new threshold value is set by the threshold value setter 11, and the operation of the hydrogen generator 100 is appropriately controlled by the control device 9 based on the new threshold value and the accumulated sulfur compound supply amount. Is done.

  Further, the desulfurizer 10 is usually replaced once every six months to once a year. In this case, the value of the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 is reset and accumulated from 0 again.

  In the present embodiment, the hydrogen generation apparatus 100 includes the barcode reader 12 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, instead of the barcode 15a attached to the container of the LPG cylinder 15 being read by the barcode reader 12 of the hydrogen generator 100, the barcode reader 12 is installed in the vicinity of the installation location of the LPG cylinder 15, The barcode 15a may be automatically acquired by installing the LPG cylinder 15 at a predetermined position.

  As mentioned above, according to this Embodiment, since the optimal replacement time is set to each installation area, it can suppress that the desulfurizer 10 breaks through and a reforming catalyst deteriorates rapidly by a sulfur compound. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing gas can be stably supplied over a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to provide a suitable fuel cell system capable of supplying power stably over a long period of time.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration and operation of the hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention and the fuel cell system including the same are the configuration and operation of the hydrogen generator 100 shown in Embodiment 1 and the fuel cell system including the same. Basically the same. Therefore, in the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a fuel cell system including a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen generator 200 according to the present embodiment includes an IC tag reader 13 instead of the barcode reader 12 shown in FIG. Different from 100 configurations. As shown in FIG. 2, the LPG cylinder 15 includes an IC tag 15b instead of the barcode 15a.

  The IC tag 15b is a small information chip and is a kind of RFID. The IC tag 15b generates a very small amount of power in the circuit by radio waves emitted from the IC tag reader 13 of the hydrogen generator 200, processes information using the power, and converts the information into the IC tag. Send to reader 13. Here, when acquiring information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the LPG cylinder 15 based on the relationship of the output power of radio waves transmitted and received between the IC tag reader 13 and the IC tag 15b. It is necessary to bring the IC tag 15b and the IC tag reader 13 close to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the IC tag reader 13 acquires information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the LPG cylinder 15 by receiving radio waves from the IC tag 15b included in the LPG cylinder 15. To do. And the control apparatus 9 recognizes the density | concentration of the sulfur compound in a raw material based on the predetermined information received by the IC tag reader 13. FIG. In this case, the control device 9 recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material based on the correlation information stored in advance between the information received by the IC tag reader 13 and the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material. On the other hand, the threshold setting device 11 of the hydrogen generator 200 sets a predetermined threshold based on information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the IC tag reader 13. In the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the control device 9 causes the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer 10, the cumulative water supply amount to the reformer 4, and the cumulative operation of the hydrogen generator 200. Recognizing the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer 10 based on time or the number of times the hydrogen generator 200 has been started or stopped, the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied has reached a predetermined threshold or more. Is detected, the flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer 10 is reduced by the flow rate adjusting valve 1a, the operation time of the hydrogen generator 200 is reduced, or the operation of the hydrogen generator 200 is stopped.

  Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, the control device 9 transmits a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer 10 to a maintenance company via a telephone line or the like as necessary.

  Also in this embodiment, the LPG cylinder 15 for supplying the raw material to the hydrogen generator 200 is periodically replaced. However, when the replacement is performed, the IC tag reader 13 receives new information from the IC tag 15b. Receive. Thereby, as in the case of the first embodiment, the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material supplied by the new LPG cylinder 15 is updated. Then, a new threshold value is set by the threshold value setter 11, and the operation of the hydrogen generator 200 is appropriately controlled by the control device 9 based on the new threshold value and the accumulated sulfur compound supply amount.

  In the present embodiment, the hydrogen generation apparatus 200 includes the IC tag reader 13 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the IC tag reader 13 is installed in the vicinity of the installation location of the LPG cylinder 15 and the LPG cylinder 15 is installed at a predetermined position to automatically acquire information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds from the IC tag 15b. It is good also as a form.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration and the operation of the hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and the fuel cell system including the same are the configuration and the operation of the hydrogen generator 100 and the fuel cell system including the same described in Embodiment 1. Basically the same. Therefore, in the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a fuel cell system including a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, city gas having methane as a main component is supplied from the infrastructure to the desulfurizer 10 of the hydrogen generator 300. The hydrogen generator 300 according to the present embodiment is different from the barcode reader 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the IC tag reader 13 shown in FIG. , 2 is different from the configuration of the hydrogen generators 100, 200.

  The wireless device 14 receives the radio wave from the GPS satellite 16 to acquire information related to the installation location of the hydrogen generator 300 (position information of the hydrogen generator 300). Then, the control device 9 of the hydrogen generator 300 recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas based on the information related to the installation location of the hydrogen generator 300 acquired by the wireless device 14. In this case, the control device 9 indirectly recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas based on the correlation information stored in advance between the position information acquired by the wireless device 14 and the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas.

  Alternatively, the wireless device 14 communicates with the wireless station 17 for a mobile phone or the like, thereby performing information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in the city gas (for example, as in the first and second embodiments) (for example, , Information on the name of a company that supplies city gas, or the concentration information of sulfur compounds in city gas. Then, the control device 9 of the hydrogen generator 300 recognizes the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas based on the information or concentration information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas acquired by the wireless device 14.

  Hereinafter, a mode in which the wireless device 14 receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 16 will be described.

  City gas varies depending on the area where the city gas is supplied (raw material supply area) and the city gas supply company (raw material supplier), but usually a sulfur compound of several ppm is used as an odorant. Contains. Here, as the odorant, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), tertiary butyl mercaptan (TBM), tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and the like are used, and two or more kinds of sulfur are also taken into consideration for consumers with olfactory disturbance. A compound has been added.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram conceptually showing a map for specifying information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound. In addition, in Fig.4 (a), code | symbol A1-A4 shows the supply area (supply area of a raw material) of city gas, and code | symbol X1-X4 shows the addition content (type and addition of odorant in city gas) Amount).

  FIG. 4B is a specific diagram for specifying a predetermined threshold based on the composition of sulfur compounds in the city gas.

  As shown to Fig.4 (a), although the addition content of the sulfur compound in city gas has an area which overlaps partially, in each of supply area A1-A4 from which latitude and longitude differ fundamentally, X1 ~ X4. For example, in the supply area A1, dimethyl sulfide and tertiary butyl mercaptan are mixed at a ratio of 1: 1, and city gas having an odorant concentration of 4 ppm is supplied. Further, in the supply area A3 that is away from the supply area A1, tertiary butyl mercaptan and tetrahydrothiophene are mixed at a ratio of 1: 1, and city gas having an odorant concentration of 4 ppm is supplied.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wireless device 14 receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 16 to acquire position information of the hydrogen generator 300 indicated by latitude and longitude. Thereby, the control apparatus 9 of the hydrogen generator 300 identifies the supply area where the hydrogen generator 300 receives the supply of city gas. And the control apparatus 9 recognizes the addition content of the sulfur compound in city gas based on the information of the supply area of the specified city gas. Thereby, the control apparatus 9 of the hydrogen production | generation apparatus 300 recognizes the density | concentration of the sulfur compound in city gas.

  When the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas is recognized, the control device 9 of the hydrogen generator 300 performs the same as in the first and second embodiments based on the recognized concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas. To set a predetermined threshold. And the control apparatus 9 is the same as the case of Embodiment 1, 2, the cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer 10, the cumulative water supply amount to the reformer 4, the cumulative operation time of the hydrogen generator 300, Alternatively, based on information such as the number of startups or the number of shutdowns of the hydrogen generator 300, the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount to the desulfurizer 10 is recognized, and it is detected that the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount has reached a predetermined threshold or more. Then, the flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer 10 by the flow rate adjusting valve 1a is reduced, the operation time of the hydrogen generator 300 is reduced, or the operation of the hydrogen generator 300 is stopped.

  Further, as in the case of the first and second embodiments, the control device 9 transmits a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer 10 to a maintenance company via a telephone line or the like as necessary.

  If it demonstrates referring FIG.4 (b), if the control apparatus 9 will identify supply area A1, A2, A3 where the hydrogen generator 300 receives supply of city gas, it will be included in the information of the specified city gas supply area. Based on this, the first threshold value and the second threshold value corresponding to the supply areas A1, A2, and A3 are set by specifying the concentration of dimethyl sulfide, tertiary butyl mercaptan, and tetrahydrothiophene in the city gas. When the city gas supply area is A1, the control device 9 generates hydrogen when the accumulated raw material supply amount related to the accumulated sulfur compound supply amount reaches the first threshold (1,000,000 liters). When the upper limit value of the amount is reduced and the cumulative raw material supply amount related to the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount reaches the second threshold (1,100,000 liters), the operation of the hydrogen generator 300 is prohibited. When the fuel cell system is installed in a different area and the city gas supply area is A2, the controller 9 controls the first threshold value (670,000 liters) different from the case where the supply area is A1. ) And a second threshold value (750,000 liters). This is because the concentration of sulfur compounds contained in city gas is different.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the control device 9 stores in advance the predetermined information shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in the storage unit.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the installation location of the fuel cell system is moved to another area where the composition of the sulfur compound in the city gas is different, the concentration of the sulfur compound in the city gas by the wireless device 14 Therefore, it is possible to automatically acquire the information related to the above, so that it is possible to automatically change the predetermined threshold value related to the operation of the hydrogen generator 300. This makes it possible to provide a hydrogen generator that is more convenient and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator, as compared with a mode that uses an information acquisition device such as a barcode reader or an IC tag reader.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless device 14 exemplifies a mode in which information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in city gas is acquired from either the GPS satellite 16 or the wireless station 17. There is no limit. For example, the wireless device 14 may acquire information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds in the city gas from both the GPS satellite 16 and the wireless station 17.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The hydrogen generator according to the present invention is industrially used as a hydrogen generator that can prevent the reforming catalyst from being poisoned by sulfur compounds in the raw material and can stably generate hydrogen over a long period of time. Full of possibilities.

  In addition, the fuel cell system according to the present invention has sufficient industrial applicability as a suitable fuel cell system capable of supplying power stably over a long period of time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a fuel cell system provided with a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a fuel cell system including a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a fuel cell system including a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram conceptually showing a map for specifying information related to the concentration of sulfur compounds, and FIG. 4B shows a predetermined threshold based on the composition of sulfur compounds in city gas. It is a specific figure for specifying.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw material supply apparatus 1a Flow adjustment valve 1b Flow detection part 2 Water supply apparatus 2a Flow adjustment valve 2b Flow detection part 3 Air supply apparatus 3a Blower 4 Reformer 4a Heater 5 Transformer 6 Purifier 6a Temperature detector 7 Flow path Switch valve 8 Fuel cell 9 Control device 10 Desulfurizer 11 Threshold setting device 12 Bar code reader 13 IC tag reader 14 Wireless device 15 Cylinder 15a Bar code 15b IC tag 16 GPS satellite 17 Radio station 100-300 Hydrogen generator A1-A4 Supply Area X1-X4 Content of sulfur compounds added

Claims (6)

A desulfurizer equipped with a desulfurizing agent for removing sulfur compounds in the raw material;
A reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using a raw material from which a sulfur compound has been removed by a desulfurizing agent of the desulfurizer;
A controller that outputs a warning signal related to replacement of the desulfurizer when the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer exceeds a predetermined threshold;
A hydrogen generator comprising:
An information acquisition unit for acquiring information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound in the raw material;
A threshold setter for setting the predetermined threshold based on information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound acquired by the information acquirer;
Further comprising a,
The controller reduces the flow rate of the raw material supplied to the desulfurizer or reduces the operation time of the hydrogen generator when the cumulative amount of sulfur compound supplied to the desulfurizer exceeds a predetermined threshold. Generator.   The cumulative sulfur compound supply amount is a cumulative raw material supply amount to the desulfurizer that indirectly indicates the cumulative sulfur compound supply amount, a cumulative water supply amount to the reformer, a cumulative operation time of the hydrogen generator, or The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen generation apparatus includes any one of a start count and a stop count of the hydrogen generation apparatus.   The information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound is any one of the information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound, the information related to the type of the raw material, the positional information of the hydrogen generator, or the information related to the supply source of the raw material. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, comprising: The raw material is supplied by a cylinder,
The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound from a transmitter that transmits information related to the concentration of the sulfur compound provided in the cylinder.   The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the controller outputs a warning signal regarding replacement of the desulfurizer to a maintenance company of the desulfurizer. A hydrogen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A fuel cell that generates power using a hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the hydrogen generator and an oxygen-containing gas;
A fuel cell system.

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