JP5505872B2 - Solid oxide fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell, and more particularly to a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidant gas.

  A solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter also referred to as “SOFC”) uses an oxide ion conductive solid electrolyte as an electrolyte, has electrodes attached to both sides thereof, supplies fuel gas on one side, and supplies the other This is a fuel cell that operates at a relatively high temperature by supplying an oxidizing agent (air, oxygen, etc.) to the side.

  In this SOFC, water vapor or carbon dioxide is generated by the reaction between oxygen ions that have passed through the oxide ion conductive solid electrolyte and fuel, and electric energy and thermal energy are generated. Electric energy is taken out of the SOFC and used for various electrical applications. On the other hand, the thermal energy is transmitted to the reformer, fuel, oxidant, etc., and used to increase the temperature of these.

In the conventional SOFC, when the microcomputer meter of the fuel gas supply system detects an abnormality during operation, an abnormality occurs due to an earthquake, etc., or when maintenance of auxiliary equipment is performed, the operation is temporarily stopped. Must be stopped. And after temporary factors, such as these abnormalities are eliminated, or after a maintenance is complete | finished, the quick restart of driving | operation is requested | required in as short time as possible for stable electric power generation.
Therefore, in order to speed up the restart of operation in the fuel cell system, in the conventional SOFC, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a restart request is performed during a predetermined control process of the fuel cell system. If the restart process is executed, the start process is not executed from the first start process routine after all the stop process routines of the fuel cell system are executed, but the start process is the same as the control process at the time when the restart request is made. It has been proposed to move to the point of execution and execute.

  On the other hand, for example, in the conventional SOFC described in Patent Document 2, the thermal efficiency is increased by placing the fuel cell stack in a storage container that stores the fuel cell stack, and excess gas is burned in the storage container. Proposals have been made that can be heated with combustion gas at a higher temperature than before, and can obtain the amount of heat necessary for steam reforming even during low-load operation. In this conventional SOFC, in order to perform quick start-up, when the temperature of the fuel reformer is lower than the partial oxidation reaction start temperature at start-up, a heating operation is performed in which the fuel reformer is heated by the combustion heat of the combustion gas. When the temperature of the fuel reformer rises to a temperature within the temperature range above the partial oxidation reaction start temperature and below the steam reformable temperature, the fuel reformer is cooled by the reaction heat of the partial oxidation reaction and the combustion heat of the combustion gas. A partial oxidation reforming reaction (hereinafter referred to as “POX”) is performed by heating. Furthermore, when the temperature of the fuel reformer rises to a temperature range above the steam reformable temperature and below the steady temperature, the reaction heat of the partial oxidation reaction, the combustion heat by the combustion gas, and the heat absorption of the steam reforming reaction are controlled to control the fuel. When the reformer is heated and an autothermal reforming reaction (hereinafter referred to as “ATR”) is performed in combination with partial oxidation reforming and steam reforming, the temperature of the fuel reformer reaches a steady state. The fuel reformer is heated by the combustion heat to perform a steam reforming reaction (hereinafter referred to as “SR”). That is, in such a conventional SOFC, startup is performed while reforming the fuel based on the order of POX, ATR, SR as the temperature of the fuel reformer rises at startup, so that stable and rapid Can be started.

JP 2006-269196 A JP 2004-319420 A

However, in the SOFCs of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when restarting the operation, a part of the fuel cell or stack is in a high temperature state in consideration of the remaining heat remaining in the stopped fuel cell or stack. There are many cases that become.
In this regard, the present inventors have found an important new problem that when such a fuel cell or stack is in a high temperature state, particularly when restarting by POX, a large burden is placed on the cell. .
More specifically, even if the reformer temperature on the control seems to be in a state where POX operation is possible, the fuel cell or part of the stack is in a high temperature state when restarting from the stop operation control. Therefore, if POX is performed on the assumption that the temperature of the fuel reformer is within the temperature range above the partial oxidation reaction start temperature and lower than the steam reforming temperature, POX generates heat accompanied by partial oxidation by introducing air. Since it is a reaction, the present invention has found an important problem that the cell may have an oxidative effect or become in an abnormally high temperature state, which gradually reduces the durability and power generation capability of the cell itself. In order to solve this problem, the time required for restarting can be greatly shortened.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, in order to further accelerate the restart while protecting the cell at the time of restart, the normal start is performed at the time of restart at the time of a temperature drop from a high temperature. There is no disclosure or suggestion about the idea of prohibiting POX during normal startup and executing restart control different from POX during normal startup, even if it is in the POX temperature zone at the time. It does not solve a difficult problem.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described new problem. Instead of restart control that is different from POX at the normal start-up, when the stop is accompanied by a temperature drop from a high temperature. By executing it, the burden on the cell is reduced and durability is improved, and the restart is performed by the restart control set for restart, so the start-up time is shortened while preventing the influence on the cell. An object of the present invention is to provide a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell comprising a solid oxide fuel cell module that generates power by electrochemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, A solid electrolyte type fuel cell disposed in an electrolyte type fuel cell module, and a reformer for reforming the fuel gas and supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell, the fuel gas depending on a predetermined temperature range POX, which is a reforming reaction in which the fuel gas is partially oxidized and reformed by chemically reacting the oxidant gas, SR, which is a reforming reaction in which the fuel gas is steam-reformed by chemically reacting the fuel gas and steam, and A reformer that reforms fuel gas into hydrogen by a reforming reaction of ATR, which is a reforming reaction for autothermal reforming of fuel gas by using POX and SR together, and reforming by the reformer It includes a reformer temperature detection means for detecting the reformer temperature to change the state, and control means for controlling the operation of the fuel cell module, the control means controls the activation of the operation of the fuel cell module And a stop control means for controlling the stop of the operation of the fuel cell module. The start control means ignites and burns the fuel gas, and then detects the reform detected by the reformer temperature detecting means. When the temperature of the organ is lower than the POX start temperature at which POX starts, a combustion operation is performed in which the temperature of the reformer is raised only by the combustion heat of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, and the reformer temperature starts at POX When the temperature is above the temperature and within the POX temperature range below the temperature at which steam reforming is possible, POX at normal startup is executed to raise the temperature of the reformer , and the reformer temperature is steam reformed. The temperature is higher than possible and If there in in ATR temperature band less than the steady temperature, when running ATR normal startup to raise the temperature of the reformer, the reformer temperature is higher than a predetermined constant temperature, In order to raise the temperature of the reformer, the normal start-up SR is executed, and the start-up control means is further subjected to stop processing by the stop control means when the fuel cell module is stopped from a high temperature state, and the POX temperature band When the operation is restarted in the operation, the start by the POX at the normal start is prohibited, and the lower limit value is lower than the lower limit value of the POX temperature band at the normal start from the POX temperature band at the normal start. When the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature within the POX temperature band at the time of restart, stop control is performed until the reformer temperature falls to the predetermined temperature. Continue to stop operation by means and reform The restart is performed after the vessel temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature .
In the present invention configured as described above, when the fuel cell module is stopped from a high temperature state and the stop process is being executed by the stop control means, when the restart occurs within the POX temperature band at the normal start time. Even if the reformer temperature is within the POX temperature band at the normal startup , the startup by the POX at the normal startup is prohibited, and the POX temperature band at the normal startup is changed from the POX temperature band at the normal startup. When the POX temperature band at the time of restarting having a lower limit value lower than the lower limit value is changed and the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature within the POX temperature band at the time of restarting, the reformer temperature is set to a predetermined value. The stop of the operation by the stop control means is continued until the temperature is lowered, and the restart is executed after the reformer temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature . As a result, compared with the case where POX at the normal start-up is executed as it is, even if the apparent temperature is low, the fuel cell is caused by the large residual heat stored in the fuel cell or a part of the reformer. The burden on the cell due to the influence of oxidation or an unexpectedly high temperature state can be reduced, and the durability of the cell can be improved. In addition, by devising restart control that actively uses residual heat remaining in the fuel cell and reformer, the temperature recovery of the fuel cell module can be accelerated without affecting the cell. Startup time can be shortened.

In the present invention, preferably, the POX temperature zone at the time of restarting has an upper limit value lower than the upper limit value of the POX temperature zone at the time of normal startup, and the startup control means is configured such that the reformer temperature is the POX temperature at the time of restarting. In the temperature band between the upper limit value of the band and the upper limit value of the POX temperature band at normal startup, restart is performed by ATR , and in the temperature band between the lower limit value of the POX temperature band at restart and the predetermined temperature, by POX Execute the restart, prohibit the restart in the temperature range between the predetermined temperature and the upper limit value of the POX temperature band at the time of restart, and stop the operation by the stop control means until the reformer temperature falls to the predetermined temperature Continue and restart by POX after the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature.
In the present invention configured as described above, the ATR is re- executed so that the ATR is executed in the temperature range of the POX at the normal startup in which the remaining heat remaining in the fuel cell and the reformer can be actively used at the time of the restart. The operating range of the ATR is expanded to a temperature range between the upper limit value of the POX temperature range at startup and the upper limit value of the POX temperature range at normal startup, and between the lower limit value of the POX temperature range that is not affected by oxidation and a predetermined temperature. aims to restart due to a temperature zone in POX, to restart on which attained temperature drop by the stop processing control prohibits restarting the temperature range between the upper limit of the POX temperature band predetermined temperature and reboot Accordingly, it is possible to increase the temperature in a stable state in a short time while suppressing the influence on the cell.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the POX at the time of restarting is configured so that the supply amount of the oxidant gas is smaller than that at the time of normal starting.
In the present invention configured as described above, rapid activation can be achieved by actively utilizing the residual heat remaining in the solid oxide fuel cell and the reformer, while there is a large amount of oxidant gas. By introducing the fuel cell, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell from being oxidized due to the influence of residual heat.

  According to the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present invention, at the time of restart at the time of stoppage from a high temperature state, instead of prohibiting POX at the time of normal start, the reactivation different from POX at the time of normal start is performed. By executing the startup control, it is possible to reduce the burden on the cell and improve the durability, and it is possible to significantly reduce the startup time at the time of restart by the operation that actively uses the residual heat.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front sectional view showing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fuel cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a time chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of starting of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of operation stop of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by one Embodiment of this invention. The fuel flow rate, the reforming air flow rate, the power generation air flow rate, the water flow rate, and the reforming in each operation state of the normal startup and restarting operations of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a data table which shows the transition temperature conditions of a mass device and a stack. It is a flowchart which shows the restart control flow for performing restart in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of normal startup with respect to the time chart showing the operation when the restart is executed based on the restart control flow of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure compared with.

Next, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell module 2 and an auxiliary unit 4.

  The fuel cell module 2 includes a housing 6, and a sealed space 8 is formed inside the housing 6 via a heat insulating material (not shown, but the heat insulating material is not an essential component and may not be necessary). Is formed. In addition, you may make it not provide a heat insulating material. A fuel cell assembly 12 that performs a power generation reaction with fuel gas and an oxidant (air) is disposed in a power generation chamber 10 that is a lower portion of the sealed space 8. The fuel cell assembly 12 includes ten fuel cell stacks 14 (see FIG. 5), and the fuel cell stack 14 includes 16 fuel cell unit 16 (see FIG. 4). Yes. Thus, the fuel cell assembly 12 has 160 fuel cell units 16, and all of these fuel cell units 16 are connected in series.

A combustion chamber 18 is formed above the above-described power generation chamber 10 in the sealed space 8 of the fuel cell module 2. In this combustion chamber 18, the remaining fuel gas that has not been used for the power generation reaction and the remaining oxidant (air) ) And combusted to generate exhaust gas.
Further, a reformer 20 for reforming the fuel gas is disposed above the combustion chamber 18, and the reformer 20 is heated to a temperature at which a reforming reaction can be performed by the combustion heat of the residual gas. ing. Further, an air heat exchanger 22 for receiving combustion heat and heating air is disposed above the reformer 20.

  Next, the auxiliary unit 4 stores a pure water tank 26 that stores water from a water supply source 24 such as tap water and uses the filter to obtain pure water, and a water flow rate that adjusts the flow rate of the water supplied from the water storage tank. An adjustment unit 28 (such as a “water pump” driven by a motor) is provided. The auxiliary unit 4 also includes a gas shut-off valve 32 that shuts off the fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source 30 such as city gas, a desulfurizer 36 for removing sulfur from the fuel gas, and a flow rate of the fuel gas. A fuel flow rate adjusting unit 38 (such as a “fuel pump” driven by a motor) is provided. Further, the auxiliary unit 4 includes an electromagnetic valve 42 that shuts off air that is an oxidant supplied from the air supply source 40, a reforming air flow rate adjusting unit 44 that adjusts the flow rate of air, and a power generation air flow rate adjusting unit. 45 (such as an “air blower” driven by a motor), a first heater 46 for heating the reforming air supplied to the reformer 20, and a second for heating the power generating air supplied to the power generation chamber And a heater 48. The first heater 46 and the second heater 48 are provided in order to efficiently raise the temperature at startup, but may be omitted.

Next, a hot water production apparatus 50 to which exhaust gas is supplied is connected to the fuel cell module 2. The hot water production apparatus 50 is supplied with tap water from the water supply source 24, and the tap water is heated by the heat of the exhaust gas and supplied to a hot water storage tank of an external hot water heater (not shown).
The fuel cell module 2 is provided with a control box 52 for controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied and the like.
Furthermore, the fuel cell module 2 is connected to an inverter 54 that is a power extraction unit (power conversion unit) for supplying the power generated by the fuel cell module to the outside.

Next, the internal structure of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fuel cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fuel cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the sealed space 8 in the housing 6 of the fuel cell module 2, as described above, the fuel cell assembly 12, the reformer 20, and the air heat exchange are sequentially performed from below. A vessel 22 is arranged.

  The reformer 20 is provided with a pure water introduction pipe 60 for introducing pure water and a reformed gas introduction pipe 62 for introducing reformed fuel gas and reforming air to the upstream end side thereof. In addition, in the reformer 20, an evaporation unit 20a and a reforming unit 20b are formed in order from the upstream side, and the reforming unit 20b is filled with a reforming catalyst. The fuel gas and air mixed with the steam (pure water) introduced into the reformer 20 are reformed by the reforming catalyst filled in the reformer 20. As the reforming catalyst, a catalyst obtained by imparting nickel to the alumina sphere surface or a catalyst obtained by imparting ruthenium to the alumina sphere surface is appropriately used.

  A fuel gas supply pipe 64 is connected to the downstream end side of the reformer 20, and the fuel gas supply pipe 64 extends downward and further in an manifold 66 formed below the fuel cell assembly 12. It extends horizontally. A plurality of fuel supply holes 64 b are formed in the lower surface of the horizontal portion 64 a of the fuel gas supply pipe 64, and the reformed fuel gas is supplied into the manifold 66 from the fuel supply holes 64 b.

  A lower support plate 68 having a through hole for supporting the fuel cell stack 14 described above is attached above the manifold 66, and the fuel gas in the manifold 66 flows into the fuel cell unit 16. Supplied.

  Next, an air heat exchanger 22 is provided above the reformer 20. The air heat exchanger 22 includes an air aggregation chamber 70 on the upstream side and two air distribution chambers 72 on the downstream side. The air aggregation chamber 70 and the air distribution chamber 72 include six air flow path tubes 74. Connected by. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, three air flow path pipes 74 form a set (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, 74f), and the air in the air collecting chamber 70 is in each set. It flows into each air distribution chamber 72 from the air flow path pipe 74.

The air flowing through the six air flow path pipes 74 of the air heat exchanger 22 is preheated by exhaust gas that burns and rises in the combustion chamber 18.
An air introduction pipe 76 is connected to each of the air distribution chambers 72, the air introduction pipe 76 extends downward, and the lower end side communicates with the lower space of the power generation chamber 10, and the air that has been preheated in the power generation chamber 10. Is introduced.

Next, an exhaust gas chamber 78 is formed below the manifold 66. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an exhaust gas passage 80 extending in the vertical direction is formed inside the front surface 6 a and the rear surface 6 b which are surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the housing 6, and the upper end side of the exhaust gas passage 80 is formed. Is in communication with the space in which the air heat exchanger 22 is disposed, and the lower end side is in communication with the exhaust gas chamber 78. Further, an exhaust gas discharge pipe 82 is connected to substantially the center of the lower surface of the exhaust gas chamber 78, and the downstream end of the exhaust gas discharge pipe 82 is connected to the above-described hot water producing apparatus 50 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, an ignition device 83 for starting combustion of fuel gas and air is provided in the combustion chamber 18.

Next, the fuel cell unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell unit 16 includes a fuel cell 84 and inner electrode terminals 86 respectively connected to the vertical ends of the fuel cell 84.
The fuel cell 84 is a tubular structure extending in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical inner electrode layer 90 that forms a fuel gas flow path 88 therein, a cylindrical outer electrode layer 92, an inner electrode layer 90, and an outer side. An electrolyte layer 94 is provided between the electrode layer 92 and the electrode layer 92. The inner electrode layer 90 is a fuel electrode through which fuel gas passes and becomes a (−) electrode, while the outer electrode layer 92 is an air electrode in contact with air and becomes a (+) electrode.

  Since the inner electrode terminal 86 attached to the upper end side and the lower end side of the fuel cell 16 has the same structure, the inner electrode terminal 86 attached to the upper end side will be specifically described here. The upper portion 90 a of the inner electrode layer 90 includes an outer peripheral surface 90 b and an upper end surface 90 c exposed to the electrolyte layer 94 and the outer electrode layer 92. The inner electrode terminal 86 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 90b of the inner electrode layer 90 through a conductive sealing material 96, and is further in direct contact with the upper end surface 90c of the inner electrode layer 90, thereby Electrically connected. A fuel gas passage 98 communicating with the fuel gas passage 88 of the inner electrode layer 90 is formed at the center of the inner electrode terminal 86.

  The inner electrode layer 90 includes, for example, a mixture of Ni and zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Ca, Y, and Sc, and Ni and ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements. The mixture is formed of at least one of Ni and a mixture of lanthanum garade doped with at least one selected from Sr, Mg, Co, Fe, and Cu.

  The electrolyte layer 94 is, for example, zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements, lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr and Mg, Formed from at least one of the following.

  The outer electrode layer 92 includes, for example, lanthanum manganite doped with at least one selected from Sr and Ca, lanthanum ferrite doped with at least one selected from Sr, Co, Ni and Cu, Sr, Fe, Ni and Cu. It is formed from at least one of lanthanum cobaltite doped with at least one selected from the group consisting of silver and silver.

Next, the fuel cell stack 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel cell stack 14 includes 16 fuel cell units 16, and the lower end side and the upper end side of these fuel cell units 16 are a ceramic lower support plate 68 and an upper side, respectively. It is supported by the support plate 100. The lower support plate 68 and the upper support plate 100 are formed with through holes 68a and 100a through which the inner electrode terminal 86 can pass.

  Furthermore, a current collector 102 and an external terminal 104 are attached to the fuel cell unit 16. The current collector 102 includes a fuel electrode connection portion 102a that is electrically connected to an inner electrode terminal 86 attached to the inner electrode layer 90 that is a fuel electrode, and an entire outer peripheral surface of the outer electrode layer 92 that is an air electrode. And an air electrode connecting portion 102b electrically connected to each other. The air electrode connecting portion 102b is formed of a vertical portion 102c extending in the vertical direction on the surface of the outer electrode layer 92 and a plurality of horizontal portions 102d extending in a horizontal direction along the surface of the outer electrode layer 92 from the vertical portion 102c. Has been. The fuel electrode connection portion 102a is linearly directed obliquely upward or obliquely downward from the vertical portion 102c of the air electrode connection portion 102b toward the inner electrode terminal 86 positioned in the vertical direction of the fuel cell unit 16. It extends.

  Further, the inner electrode terminals 86 at the upper end and the lower end of the two fuel cell units 16 located at the ends of the fuel cell stack 14 (the far left side and the near side in FIG. 5) are external terminals, respectively. 104 is connected. These external terminals 104 are connected to the external terminals 104 (not shown) of the fuel cell unit 16 at the end of the adjacent fuel cell stack 14, and as described above, the 160 fuel cell units 16 Everything is connected in series.

Next, sensors and the like attached to the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, the solid oxide fuel cell 1 includes a control unit 110, and the control unit 110 includes operation buttons such as “ON” and “OFF” for operation by the user. A device 112, a display device 114 for displaying various data such as a power generation output value (wattage), and a notification device 116 for issuing an alarm (warning) in an abnormal state are connected. The notification device 116 may be connected to a remote management center and notify the management center of an abnormal state.

Next, signals from various sensors described below are input to the control unit 110.
First, the combustible gas detection sensor 120 is for detecting a gas leak, and is attached to the fuel cell module 2 and the auxiliary unit 4.
The CO detection sensor 122 detects whether or not CO in the exhaust gas originally discharged to the outside through the exhaust gas passage 80 or the like leaks to an external housing (not shown) that covers the fuel cell module 2 and the auxiliary unit 4. Is to do.
The hot water storage state detection sensor 124 is for detecting the temperature and amount of hot water in a water heater (not shown).

The power state detection sensor 126 is for detecting the current and voltage of the inverter 54 and the distribution board (not shown).
The power generation air flow rate detection sensor 128 is for detecting the flow rate of power generation air supplied to the power generation chamber 10.
The reforming air flow sensor 130 is for detecting the flow rate of the reforming air supplied to the reformer 20.
The fuel flow sensor 132 is for detecting the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the reformer 20.

The water flow rate sensor 134 is for detecting the flow rate of pure water (steam) supplied to the reformer 20.
The water level sensor 136 is for detecting the water level of the pure water tank 26.
The pressure sensor 138 is for detecting the pressure on the upstream side outside the reformer 20.
The exhaust temperature sensor 140 is for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the hot water production apparatus 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 is provided on the front side and the back side in the vicinity of the fuel cell assembly 12, and detects the temperature in the vicinity of the fuel cell stack 14 to thereby detect the fuel cell stack. 14 (ie, the fuel cell 84 itself) is estimated.
The combustion chamber temperature sensor 144 is for detecting the temperature of the combustion chamber 18.
The exhaust gas chamber temperature sensor 146 is for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas chamber 78.
The reformer temperature sensor 148 is for detecting the temperature of the reformer 20, and calculates the temperature of the reformer 20 from the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the reformer 20.
The outside air temperature sensor 150 is for detecting the temperature of the outside air when the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is disposed outdoors. Further, a sensor for measuring the humidity or the like of the outside air may be provided.

Signals from these sensors are sent to the control unit 110, and the control unit 110, based on data based on these signals, the water flow rate adjustment unit 28, the fuel flow rate adjustment unit 38, the reforming air flow rate adjustment unit 44, A control signal is sent to the power generation air flow rate adjusting unit 45 to control each flow rate in these units.
Further, the control unit 110 sends a control signal to the inverter 54 to control the power supply amount.

Next, the operation at the time of start-up by the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of startup of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Initially, in order to warm the fuel cell module 2, the operation is started in a no-load state, that is, in a state where a circuit including the fuel cell module 2 is opened. At this time, since no current flows through the circuit, the fuel cell module 2 does not generate power.

First, reforming air is supplied from the reforming air flow rate adjustment unit 44 to the reformer 20 of the fuel cell module 2 via the first heater 46. At the same time, the power generation air is supplied from the power generation air flow rate adjustment unit 45 to the air heat exchanger 22 of the fuel cell module 2 via the second heater 48, and this power generation air is supplied to the power generation chamber 10 and the combustion chamber. Reach chamber 18.
Immediately after this, the fuel gas is also supplied from the fuel flow rate adjustment unit 38, and the fuel gas mixed with the reforming air passes through the reformer 20, the fuel cell stack 14, and the fuel cell unit 16, and It reaches the combustion chamber 18.

  Next, the ignition device 83 is ignited to burn the fuel gas and air (reforming air and power generation air) in the combustion chamber 18. Exhaust gas is generated by the combustion of the fuel gas and air, and the power generation chamber 10 is warmed by the exhaust gas, and when the exhaust gas rises in the sealed space 8 of the fuel cell module 2, The fuel gas containing the reforming air is warmed, and the power generation air in the air heat exchanger 22 is also warmed.

  At this time, the fuel gas mixed with the reforming air is supplied to the reformer 20 by the fuel flow rate adjusting unit 38 and the reforming air flow rate adjusting unit 44. The partial oxidation reforming reaction POX shown in FIG. Since the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX is an exothermic reaction, the startability is good. Further, the heated fuel gas is supplied to the lower side of the fuel cell stack 14 through the fuel gas supply pipe 64, whereby the fuel cell stack 14 is heated from below, and the combustion chamber 18 also has the fuel gas and air. The fuel cell stack 14 is also heated from above, and as a result, the fuel cell stack 14 can be heated substantially uniformly in the vertical direction. Even if the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX proceeds, the combustion reaction between the fuel gas and air continues in the combustion chamber 18.

_{C m H n + xO 2 →} aCO 2 + bCO + cH 2 (1)

  When the reformer temperature sensor 148 detects that the reformer 20 has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 600 ° C.) after the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX is started, the water flow rate adjustment unit 28 and the fuel flow rate adjustment unit 38 are detected. In addition, the reforming air flow rate adjusting unit 44 supplies a gas in which fuel gas, reforming air, and water vapor are mixed in advance to the reformer 20. At this time, in the reformer 20, an autothermal reforming reaction ATR in which the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX described above and a steam reforming reaction SR described later are used proceeds. Since the autothermal reforming reaction ATR is thermally balanced internally, the reaction proceeds in the reformer 20 in a thermally independent state. That is, when oxygen (air) is large, heat generation by the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX is dominant, and when there is much steam, an endothermic reaction by the steam reforming reaction SR is dominant. At this stage, the initial stage of startup has already passed, and the temperature inside the power generation chamber 10 has been raised to a certain temperature. Therefore, even if the endothermic reaction is dominant, no significant temperature drop is caused. Further, the combustion reaction continues in the combustion chamber 18 even while the autothermal reforming reaction ATR is in progress.

  When the reformer temperature sensor 146 detects that the reformer 20 has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 700 ° C.) after the start of the autothermal reforming reaction ATR shown in Formula (2), the reforming air flow rate The supply of reforming air by the adjustment unit 44 is stopped, and the supply of water vapor by the water flow rate adjustment unit 28 is increased. As a result, the reformer 20 is supplied with a gas that does not contain air and contains only fuel gas and water vapor, and the steam reforming reaction SR of formula (3) proceeds in the reformer 20.

_{C m H n + xO 2 +} yH 2 O → aCO 2 + bCO + cH 2 (2)
_{C m H n + xH 2 O} → aCO 2 + bCO + cH 2 (3)

  Since the steam reforming reaction SR is an endothermic reaction, the reaction proceeds while maintaining a heat balance with the combustion heat from the combustion chamber 18. At this stage, since the fuel cell module 2 is in the final stage of start-up, the power generation chamber 10 is heated to a sufficiently high temperature. Therefore, even if the endothermic reaction proceeds, the power generation chamber 10 is greatly reduced in temperature. There is nothing. Even if the steam reforming reaction SR proceeds, the combustion reaction continues in the combustion chamber 18.

  In this way, after the fuel cell module 2 is ignited by the ignition device 83, the partial oxidation reforming reaction POX, the autothermal reforming reaction ATR, and the steam reforming reaction SR proceed in sequence, so that the inside of the power generation chamber 10 The temperature gradually increases. Next, when the temperature in the power generation chamber 10 and the fuel cell 84 reaches a predetermined power generation temperature lower than the rated temperature at which the fuel cell module 2 is stably operated, the circuit including the fuel cell module 2 is closed, and the fuel cell Power generation by the module 2 is started, so that a current flows in the circuit. Due to the power generation of the fuel cell module 2, the fuel cell 84 itself also generates heat, and the temperature of the fuel cell 84 also rises. As a result, the rated temperature at which the fuel cell module 2 is operated becomes, for example, 600 ° C. to 800 ° C.

  Thereafter, in order to maintain the rated temperature, more fuel gas and air than the amount of fuel gas and air consumed in the fuel cell 84 are supplied, and combustion in the combustion chamber 18 is continued. During power generation, power generation proceeds in a steam reforming reaction SR with high reforming efficiency.

Next, the operation when the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment is stopped will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation when the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is stopped according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the operation of the fuel cell module 2 is stopped, first, the fuel flow rate adjustment unit 38 and the water flow rate adjustment unit 28 are operated to supply fuel gas and water vapor to the reformer 20. Reduce the amount.

  Further, when the operation of the fuel cell module 2 is stopped, the amount of fuel gas and water vapor supplied to the reformer 20 is reduced, and at the same time, the fuel cell module for generating air by the reforming air flow rate adjusting unit 44 The supply amount into 2 is increased, the fuel cell assembly 12 and the reformer 20 are cooled by air, and these temperatures are lowered. Thereafter, when the temperature of the power generation chamber decreases to a predetermined temperature, for example, 400 ° C., the supply of fuel gas and steam to the reformer 20 is stopped, and the steam reforming reaction SR of the reformer 20 is ended. This supply of power generation air continues until the temperature of the reformer 20 decreases to a predetermined temperature, for example, 200 ° C., and when this temperature is reached, the power generation air from the power generation air flow rate adjustment unit 45 is supplied. Stop supplying.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operation of the fuel cell module 2 is stopped, the steam reforming reaction SR by the reformer 20 and the cooling by the power generation air are used in combination. The operation of the fuel cell module can be stopped.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the operation at the time of restart by the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows the fuel flow rate, the reforming air flow rate, the power generation air flow rate, the water flow rate, and the flow rate of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment in each operation state during normal startup and restart. It is a data table which shows the transition temperature conditions of a reformer and a stack.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment has the same operation as the operation at the time of starting the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. Is controlled as an operation at the normal start of operation (hereinafter referred to as “normal start mode”).
In addition, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment starts operation (so-called “restart” in a state where the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is stopped. )), A restart control mode (hereinafter referred to as “restart mode”) is executed to restart the operation when requested, and each of these restart modes is executed based on a corresponding restart control flow. It has come to be.
Details of the normal startup mode and the restart mode in FIG. 9 will be described later.

Next, the restart control flow of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a restart control flow for restarting a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, S indicates each step.
First, in S1, it is determined whether or not the fuel cell module 2 is in a stop operation. If the fuel cell module 2 is in a stop operation, the process proceeds to S2 and it is determined whether or not a restart is requested.

If it is determined in S2 that a restart is required, the process proceeds to S3, where the reforming which is part of the reforming state temperature detecting means for detecting the reforming state temperature for changing the reforming state by the reformer 20 is performed. After the temperature of the reformer 20 (hereinafter, “reformer temperature Tr”) is measured by the temperature sensor 148, the process proceeds to S4, and the reformed state temperature for changing the reformed state by the reformer 20 is detected. The stack temperature Ts, which is the temperature in the vicinity of the fuel cell stack 14 (that is, the fuel cell 84 itself), is measured by the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 which is a part of the reforming state temperature detecting means.
Next, it progresses to S5 and it is determined whether the reformer temperature Tr is 500 degreeC or more.

In S5, when it is determined that the reformer temperature Tr is not 500 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to S6, and it is determined whether or not the reformer temperature Tr is less than 200 ° C.
If it is determined in S6 that the reformer temperature Tr is not less than 200 ° C., that is, the reformer temperature Tr is 200 ° C. or more and less than 500 ° C., the process proceeds to S7, where the reformer temperature Tr is 200 ° C. or more. It is determined whether the temperature is less than 230 ° C.

If it is determined in S7 that the reformer temperature Tr is not 200 ° C. or higher and lower than 230 ° C., that is, the reformer temperature Tr is 230 ° C. or higher and lower than 500 ° C., the process proceeds to S8, and the fuel gas from the ignition device 83 The ignition is prohibited, the restart is put on hold, and the stop operation is continued.
Then, when the reformer temperature Tr decreases to a temperature range of 200 ° C. or higher and lower than 230 ° C., the process proceeds from S7 to S9, and ignition of the fuel gas by the ignition device 83 is started. “Restart POX” by “restart mode” in the data table is executed.

In S5, when it is determined that the reformer temperature Tr is 500 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to S10, and it is determined whether or not the reformer temperature Tr is 600 ° C. or higher.
In S10, when it is determined that the reformer temperature Tr is not 600 ° C. or higher, that is, the reformer temperature Tr is 500 ° C. or higher and lower than 600 ° C., the process proceeds to S11, and “in the data table shown in FIG. The “normal start ATR” is executed in the “restart mode”.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S10 that the reformer temperature Tr is 600 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to S12, in which it is determined whether or not the stack temperature Ts measured by the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 is 600 ° C. or higher. To do.
If it is determined in S12 that the stack temperature Ts is 600 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to S13, and “normal start SR” is executed in the “restart mode” in the data table shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the stack temperature Ts is not 600 ° C. or higher, that is, the reformer temperature Tr is 600 ° C. or higher, but the stack temperature Ts is lower than 600 ° C., the process proceeds to S11. Then, the “normal activation ATR” is executed by the “reactivation mode” in the data table shown in FIG.

Next, in S1, it is determined whether or not the fuel cell module 2 is in a stop operation. If the fuel cell module 2 is not in a stop operation, the process proceeds to S14 to determine whether or not there is a request for restart based on misfire during startup. To do.
If it is determined in S14 that there is a restart request based on misfire, and if it is determined in S6 that the reformer temperature Tr is lower than 200 ° C., the value of the temperature sensor may be apparently high. Since not all of the fuel cell modules have been in a high temperature state for a long time, there is no situation in which heat is uniformly stored, so there is no situation in which restart control based on residual heat is possible, so the process proceeds to S15 and the data shown in FIG. Reboot is executed based on the “normal start mode” in the table.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the operation when the restart is executed based on the restart control flow of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10 will be described more specifically. explain.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of normal startup in the time chart showing the operation when the restart is executed based on the restart control flow of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure compared with the chart.
The upper time chart of FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the normal start operation of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) when the “normal start mode” in the data table shown in FIG. 9 is executed. 11 is a time chart showing the restart operation of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) when the “restart mode” in the data table shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

  For the description of the restart operation based on the restart control flow of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) according to the present embodiment below, a data table relating to the “normal start mode” and the “restart mode” shown in FIG. 11 is compared with the operation at the time of restart in the “restart mode” of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 compared with the operation at the time of normal start in the “normal start mode”. While explaining.

First, how to read the “normal start mode” data table shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
The column “state” of “normal start mode” shown in FIG. 9 represents each operation state at the time of normal start from the upper stage toward the lower stage, and for each operation state, “at the time of ignition”. , “Combustion operation”, “normal start POX”, “normal start ATR”, and “normal start SR”.
By the way, for the time t which is the horizontal axis of the time chart of “normal start mode” in FIG. 11, the time of “ignition” is t1, and “normal start POX”, “normal start ATR”, and “normal start” The times when shifting to the “start-up SR” are t2, t3, and t4, respectively, the temperature of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 at the time t is Tr (t), and power generation is performed at the time t. Let the stack temperature measured by the room temperature sensor 142 be Ts (t).

  The operation state of “at the time of ignition” in the “normal start mode” shown in FIG. 9 is a state in which the ignition device 83 is ignited, the fuel gas is ignited and combustion is started, and is changed to this ignition time (t = t1). Assuming that the temperature of the reformer 20 detected by the mass temperature sensor 148 is “ignition temperature Tr (t1)”, the ignition temperature Tr (t1) is reformed when POX starts (t = t2). The temperature is lower than the temperature of the vessel 20 (hereinafter “POX start temperature Tr (t2)”) (= 300 ° C.).

  Next, in the operation state of “combustion operation” in the “normal start mode”, after starting combustion after ignition of the fuel gas, the reformer 20 is heated by the combustion heat of the fuel gas and the combustion operation is executed. The activation is controlled in the control zone (hereinafter referred to as “combustion operation control zone B1”), and the temperature of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 changes from the ignition temperature Tr (t1) to the POX start temperature Tr (t2). ) (= 300 ° C.) in the temperature zone W1 up to less than (= 300 ° C.).

  Next, in the operation state of “normal start POX” in the “normal start mode”, the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 is POX start temperature Tr (t2) (= 300 ° C.). ) When the temperature is within the temperature range (hereinafter referred to as “normal start-up POX temperature range W2”) up to less than SR possible temperature (hereinafter “SR possible temperature Tr (t3)”) (= 600 ° C.) 300 ° C. ≦ Tr (t) <600 ° C.) in a control zone where the reformer 20 is heated by POX reaction heat and fuel gas combustion heat (hereinafter referred to as “normal startup mode POX control zone B2”). Controls startup.

  Next, in the operation state “normal start ATR” in the “normal start mode”, the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 is the SR possible temperature Tr (t3) (= 600 ° C.). ) Above and in a temperature range (600 ° C. ≦ Tr (t) <650 ° C.) (hereinafter “normal start-up ATR temperature range W3”) up to a predetermined steady-state temperature Tr (t4) (= 650 ° C.), and When the stack temperature Ts measured by the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 is in the temperature range of 250 ° C. or higher and lower than 600 ° C. (250 ° C. ≦ Ts <600 ° C.), the reaction heat by POX, the combustion heat of the fuel gas, and SR The reformer 20 is heated by controlling the endotherm, and the activation is controlled in a control band (hereinafter, “normal activation mode ATR control band B3”) in which ATR is executed.

  Next, an operation state of “normal start SR” in the “normal start mode” indicates that the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 is a predetermined steady state temperature Tr (t4) at 650 ° C. or higher. And when the stack temperature Ts measured by the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 is 600 ° C. or higher, the startup is controlled in the control band for executing SR (hereinafter referred to as “normal startup mode SR control band B4”). Yes.

The column “fuel flow rate” shown in FIG. 9 indicates the flow rate [L / min] of the fuel gas supplied from the fuel flow rate adjustment unit 38 that is the fuel gas supply means of the auxiliary unit 4 to the reformer 20. ing.
Further, the column “reforming air flow rate” shown in FIG. 9 includes a first oxidant gas heating unit from the air flow rate adjustment unit 44 that is an oxidant gas supply unit of the auxiliary unit 4 in each operation state. The flow rate [L / min] of the oxidizing gas (reforming air) supplied to the reformer 20 through the heater 46 is shown.

Furthermore, the column “power generation air flow rate” shown in FIG. 9 indicates the power generation air supplied to the power generation chamber 10 from the power generation air flow rate adjustment unit 45 of the auxiliary unit 4 via the second heater 48 in each operation state. The flow rate [L / min] is shown.
Further, the column of “water flow rate” shown in FIG. 9 is reformed from the water flow rate adjustment unit 28 which is a water supply means that generates pure water of the auxiliary unit 4 and supplies it to the reformer 20 in each operation state. The flow rate [cc / min] of pure water supplied to the vessel 20 is shown.

Further, in the columns of “reformer temperature” and “stack temperature” of “transition temperature condition” shown in FIG. 9, the temperature of the reformer 20 and the fuel cell when the operation state shifts to the next operation state. The temperature of the stack 14 is shown.
More specifically, for example, “reformer temperature” of “transition temperature condition” in the “combustion operation” state column of “normal start mode” is indicated as “300 ° C. or higher”. Indicates that when the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 exceeds 300 ° C., the operation state of “combustion operation” is shifted to the operation state of “normal start POX”. I mean.
Similarly, “reformer temperature” of “transition temperature condition” in the “normal start POX” status column of “normal start mode” is indicated as “600 ° C. or higher”, and “stack temperature” is “250 ° C.” This indicates that the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 is 600 ° C. or higher, and the stack temperature measured by the power generation chamber temperature sensor 142 is displayed. When Ts becomes 250 ° C. or higher, it means that the operation state of “normal start POX” is shifted to the operation state of “normal start ATR”.

Next, how to read the “restart mode” data table shown in FIG. 9 will be described. Since it is basically the same as the above-described “normal start mode” data table, Description will be made by paying attention to differences and characteristic points from the data table.
First, the column “state” of “restart mode” shown in FIG. 9 represents each operation state at the time of restart in time series from the upper stage to the lower stage. "Time", "Restart POX", "Ignition prohibited", "Normal start ATR", and "Normal start SR" are abbreviated.
Incidentally, with respect to time t, which is the horizontal axis of the “restart mode” time chart in FIG. 11, the time of “ignition” is set to t11, and “restart POX”, “normal start ATR”, and “normal start” The times when shifting to the “startup SR” are t12, t13, and t14, respectively.

Next, the operation state of “at the time of ignition” in the “restart mode” shown in FIG. 9 is the modified state detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 when the restart is requested during the stop operation of the fuel cell module 2. The temperature Tr (t) of the mass device 20 is lower than the POX start temperature Tr (t2) (= 300 ° C.) in the normal startup mode POX control band B2 in the “normal startup mode” described above, which is a predetermined temperature Tr (t11) (= When the temperature is less than 200 ° C., the normal activation based on the “normal activation mode” is executed from the “combustion operation” after the ignition in the “normal activation mode” (see S6 and S15 in FIG. 10). ).
On the other hand, when the temperature Tr (t11) of the reformer 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (= 200 ° C.), the ignition device 83 is ignited and immediately after the fuel gas is ignited, The operation state is shifted to “POX” (see S7 and S9 in FIG. 10).
In addition, the “fuel flow rate” of “at the time of ignition” in the “restart mode” shown in FIG. 9 is 5.5 [L / min], and the “fuel flow rate” at the time of “ignition” in the “normal start mode” (6 0.0 [L / min]).

Next, in the operation state of “restart POX” in “restart mode” shown in S9 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the temperature Tr (t11) of the reformer 20 detected by the reformer temperature sensor 148 is a predetermined temperature. When the temperature is equal to or higher than (= 200 ° C.), the ignition device 83 is ignited, and after the fuel gas is ignited, restart immediately in the control band (hereinafter referred to as “restart mode POX control band B12”) in which POX is executed. I have control.
The operation state of the “restart POX” executed in the restart mode POX control band B12 in the “restart mode” is “normal start POX” executed in the normal start mode POX control band B2 in the “normal start mode”. It is in a different driving state.

More specifically, the temperature band of the reformer 20 in which “restart POX” is executed in the restart mode POX control band B12 of “restart mode” (hereinafter “restart POX temperature band W12”) is: Temperature range (200 ° C. ≦ Tr (t) <600 ° C.) on the lower temperature side than the normal startup POX temperature zone W2 (300 ° C. ≦ Tr (t) <600 ° C.) in which “normal startup POX” is executed in the normal startup mode POX control zone B2 of “normal startup mode” C ≦ Tr (t) < 500 ° C.).
In addition, the “fuel flow rate” in the operation state of “restart POX” in “restart mode” is 5.5 [L / min], and “ignition” and “combustion operation” in “normal start mode” are performed. The “fuel flow rate” (5.0 [L / min]) in the “normal start POX” operating state in the “normal start mode” is smaller than the “fuel flow rate” in the state (6.0 [L / min]). More than that.

  Further, the “reforming air flow rate” in the operation state of “restart POX” in “restart mode” is 17.0 [L / min], and the operation state of “normal start POX” in “normal start mode”. This is less than the “reforming air flow rate” (18.0 [L / min]).

Next, the operation state of “ignition prohibited” in the “restart mode” shown in FIG. 9 prohibits ignition of the fuel gas by the ignition device 83, prohibits restart, and continues the stop operation ( (Hereinafter referred to as “restart mode ignition prohibition control band”) controls the restart (see S8 in FIG. 10).
More specifically, the temperature band of the reformer 20 in which “ignition prohibition” is executed in the restart mode ignition prohibition control band of “restart mode” (hereinafter “ignition prohibition temperature band”) is “restart In the “mode” restart POX temperature zone W12, the temperature zone is 230 ° C. or higher and lower than 500 ° C. on the higher temperature side.

In the restart mode ignition prohibition control band of the “restart mode”, in particular, the portion of 230 ° C. or more and less than 500 ° C. within the ignition prohibition temperature band of the “restart mode” is the normal start POX of the “normal start mode”. The “normal startup mode” “normal startup POX” is not executed even though it overlaps with a part of the temperature zone in the temperature band W2 (300 ° C. ≦ Tr (t) <600 ° C.).

  Further, in the restart mode ignition prohibition control zone of the “restart mode”, when the reformer temperature Tr falls from within the ignition prohibition temperature zone (230 ° C. ≦ Tr <500 ° C.) to less than 230 ° C., the ignition device 83 is started, and immediately after this ignition, “restart POX” in “restart mode” in the data table shown in FIG. 9 is executed (see S7 and S9 in FIG. 10). .

  Next, the operation state of “normal start ATR” in “restart mode” shown in S11 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 is the normal start POX temperature band in which the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 is “normal start mode”. It is in the temperature band corresponding to W2 and at a temperature higher than the ignition prohibited temperature band in the “restart mode” and at a temperature higher than 500 ° C. and lower than 600 ° C. (hereinafter, in the “restart ATR temperature band W13”) In addition, the restart is controlled in a control band (hereinafter referred to as “restart mode ATR control band B13”) that executes the same ATR as the “normal start ATR” in the “normal start mode”.

  Next, the operation state “normal start SR” of “restart mode” shown in S13 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 is the same as the “transition temperature condition” of “normal start SR” of “normal start mode”. The restart is controlled by a control band (hereinafter referred to as “restart mode SR control band B14”) that executes the same SR as the “normal start SR” of the “normal start mode”.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the time t13 when shifting from “restart POX” in “restart mode” to “normal start ATR” is “normal start POX” in “normal start mode”. The time is less than the time t3 when shifting to “ATR”.

  Furthermore, regarding the time t14 when shifting from “normal start ATR” in “restart mode” to “normal start SR”, when shifting from “normal start ATR” in “normal start mode” to “normal start SR” This time is less than the time t4, and the activation time due to restart is shorter than the activation time due to normal activation.

According to the restart control by the restart control flow in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present embodiment described above, the temperature Tr (t) of the reformer 20 is “normally started” by stopping the operation of the fuel cell module 2. When the temperature is within the temperature range corresponding to the normal startup POX temperature range W2 of the “mode”, the residual heat remaining in the fuel cell stack 14 and the reformer 20 is actively used, so that the reformer 20 Even when the temperature Tr (t) is within the normal startup POX temperature band W2, the execution of the “normal startup POX” in the normal startup mode POX control band B2 in the “normal startup mode” is prohibited. Instead of “normally activated POX”, reactivation control different from “normally activated POX” can be executed.
As a result, compared with the case where the normal startup POX is directly executed without prohibiting the execution of the normal startup POX in the normal startup mode POX control band B2 in the “normal startup mode” at the time of restart, the oxidation or abnormality of the fuel cell 84 is performed. The burden on the fuel cell 84 due to the high temperature can be reduced, and the durability of the fuel cell 84 can be improved.

In addition, the remaining heat remaining in the fuel cell 84 and the reformer 20 is actively used to execute the restart control different from the “normal start POX” in the “normal start mode”, thereby reducing the start time. It can be greatly shortened.
Further, for example, when a restart is performed based on a misfire at the time of starting (see S14 and S15 in FIG. 10), the restart in the “restart mode” is prohibited and the start in the “normal start mode” is performed. Since it can perform, the damage of the fuel cell unit 16 can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the restart control by the restart control flow in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present embodiment, the temperature is higher than the ignition prohibition temperature band (230 ° C. ≦ Tr <500 ° C.) in the “restart mode”. In the “restart mode” restart ATR temperature band W13 (500 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 ° C.), restart by the same ATR as the normal start ATR of the normal start mode ATR control band B3 of the “normal start mode” In the “restart mode” ignition prohibition temperature band (230 ° C. ≦ Tr <500 ° C.), the restart by the “normal start mode” “normal start POX” is prohibited and the reformer 20 After waiting for the temperature Tr (t) to drop below 230 ° C., POX is executed in a high temperature state in order to execute restart by “restart POX” in “restart mode”. While suppressing damage to the fuel cell 84 by, achieving rapid temperature recovery of the fuel cell module by exothermic reaction with POX, it can be quickly restarted.

Furthermore, according to the restart control by the restart control flow in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present embodiment, the remaining heat remaining in the fuel cell 84 and the reformer 20 at the time of restart is actively used. Then, the temperature range for executing the “normal start ATR” in the “restart mode” is a range equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature in the POX temperature band W2 of the “normal start POX” in the “normal start mode” (500 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 The temperature can be increased in a short time in a stable state while suppressing the influence on the fuel battery cell 84.
That is, the POX temperature band W2 (300 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 ° C., Ts <250) in the “normal startup mode” in which the remaining heat remaining in the reformer 20 and the fuel cell stack 14 can be actively used at the time of restart. ° C.) above the predetermined temperature within the POX temperature band W2 (300 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 ° C., Ts <250 ° C.) so as to execute the “normal start ATR” of the “restart mode”. The operating range of the “normal start ATR” in the “restart mode” is expanded up to (500 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 ° C., 500 ° C. ≦ Tr <600 ° C.) and below a predetermined temperature (200 ° C. ≦ Tr <230 ° C), restart by “Restart POX” in “Restart Mode”, and at intermediate temperatures (230 ° C ≦ Tr <500 ° C), restart is prohibited and the temperature is lowered by stop process control. Launch By Ukoto, a stable condition while suppressing the influence on the fuel cell stack 14 and in a short time can be achieved temperature rise.

  Further, according to the restart control by the restart control flow in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of the present embodiment, in the restart mode POX control band B12 in which “restart POX” of “restart mode” is executed. Makes it possible to start quickly by actively using the residual heat remaining in the fuel cell 84 and the reformer 20, while executing “normal startup POX” in “normal startup mode”. Oxidant gas smaller than the supply amount of oxidant gas (reformation air) supplied to the reformer 20 from the reforming air flow rate adjustment unit 44 as oxidant gas supply means in the normal startup mode POX control zone B2. “Restart POX” can be executed by (reforming air), and a large amount of oxidant gas can be used to affect the fuel cell stack 14 due to residual heat. It is possible to prevent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solid oxide fuel cell 2 Fuel cell module 4 Auxiliary machine unit 8 Sealed space 10 Power generation chamber 12 Fuel cell assembly 14 Fuel cell stack 16 Fuel cell unit 18 Combustion chamber 20 Reformer 22 Heat exchanger 24 for air Water supply source 26 Pure water tank 28 Water flow rate adjustment unit 30 Fuel supply source 38 Fuel flow rate adjustment unit 40 Air supply source 44 Reforming air flow rate adjustment unit 45 Power generation air flow rate adjustment unit 46 First heater 48 Second heater 50 Hot water Manufacturing device 52 Control box 54 Inverter 83 Ignition device 84 Fuel cell 110 Control unit 112 Operating device 114 Display device 116 Alarm device 126 Power state detection sensor 142 Cell temperature sensor 150 Outside temperature sensor

Claims (3)

A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a solid oxide fuel cell module that generates electricity by electrochemically reacting a fuel gas and an oxidant gas,
A solid electrolyte fuel cell disposed in the solid electrolyte fuel cell module;
A reformer for reforming fuel gas and supplying the fuel cell to the fuel cell, wherein the fuel gas is partially oxidized and reformed by chemically reacting the fuel gas and oxidant gas in accordance with a predetermined temperature range. POX, which is a reaction, SR, which is a reforming reaction that reforms a fuel gas by chemically reacting the fuel gas with water vapor, and autothermal reforming of the fuel gas by using the POX and SR together. The reformer for reforming the fuel gas into hydrogen by the reforming reaction of ATR, which is a reforming reaction;
A reformer temperature detecting means for detecting a reformer temperature for changing the reforming state by the reformer;
Control means for controlling the operation of the fuel cell module,
The control means includes start control means for controlling start of operation of the fuel cell module, and stop control means for controlling stop of operation of the fuel cell module,
The start control means ignites and burns the fuel gas, and then the fuel gas is detected when the reformer temperature detected by the reformer temperature detecting means is lower than the POX start temperature at which the POX starts. A combustion operation for raising the temperature of the reformer by only the combustion heat of the oxidant gas and
When the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than the POX start temperature and is within a POX temperature range below the temperature at which the steam reforming is possible, the POX at normal startup is set to raise the temperature of the reformer. Run,
When the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the steam reforming is possible and is within the ATR temperature range below a predetermined steady temperature, the ATR during normal startup is set to raise the temperature of the reformer. Run,
When the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined steady temperature, the SR at normal startup is executed to raise the temperature of the reformer,
When the fuel cell module is stopped from the high temperature state, a stop process is performed by the stop control unit, and when the operation is restarted within the POX temperature band, Start by POX at the time of normal startup is prohibited, and the POX temperature band at the time of normal startup is changed to the POX temperature band at the time of restart having a lower limit value lower than the lower limit value of the POX temperature band at the time of normal startup If the reformer temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature within the POX temperature range at the time of restart, the stop control means continues to stop the operation until the reformer temperature falls to the predetermined temperature. And a restart is performed after the reformer temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature . The POX temperature zone at the time of restarting has an upper limit value lower than the upper limit value of the POX temperature zone at the time of normal startup, and the startup control means is configured such that the reformer temperature is the upper limit value of the POX temperature zone at the time of restarting. Is restarted by ATR in the temperature range between the upper limit of the POX temperature band at normal startup and POX in the temperature band between the lower limit of the POX temperature band at restart and the predetermined temperature. Execute and prohibit the restart in the temperature range between the predetermined temperature and the upper limit value of the POX temperature range at the time of restart, and stop the operation by the stop control means until the reformer temperature falls to the predetermined temperature The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the restart is performed by POX after the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or lower. The restart of the POX, the solid electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1 or claim 2 is configured so as to reduce the supply of the oxidizing gas than POX of the normal startup.

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