JP5727703B2 - Fluid supply device and fuel cell system provided with fluid supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid supply device that does not interrupt the supply of fluid even when a filter element is replaced, and a fuel cell system including the fluid supply device.

  Conventionally, a fuel cell system has been developed as a cogeneration system. The fuel cell system is a power generation system that effectively uses exhaust heat when the fuel cell generates power. The fuel cell system includes a fluid supply device for supplying fluid to the fuel cell.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a fuel cell system including a conventional fluid supply apparatus. The fuel cell system A includes a fluid supply device B, a fuel cell module C, an inverter device D, and an exhaust heat recovery device E.

  The fluid supply device B supplies raw fuel and air to the fuel cell module C. The fluid supply device B takes in air from the outside air, removes impurities such as dust by the filter devices 11 and 31, and the air after removing the impurities is referred to as the blowers 12 and 32 (hereinafter referred to as “air blowers 12 and 32” in some cases). ) And the pressure is supplied to the fuel cell module C. Further, the fluid supply device B removes impurities from the raw fuel (city gas, natural gas, etc.) by the filter devices 21 and 41, and the raw fuel after the impurities are removed from the blowers 22 and 42 (hereinafter referred to as “fuel blower 22”). , 42 ")) and is supplied to the fuel cell module C.

  The fuel cell module C uses the raw fuel and air supplied from the fluid supply device B to generate electricity. The fuel cell module C generates hydrogen from the fuel cell C1 that generates power using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, the raw fuel supplied from the fluid supply device B, and water supplied separately, and supplies the fuel cell C1 with hydrogen. A reformer C2 to be supplied and a burner C3 for heating the fuel cell C1 and the reformer C2 are provided. The raw fuel supplied from the fluid supply device B is supplied to the reformer C2 and the burner C3, and the air supplied from the fluid supply device B is supplied to the air electrode (cathode) and the burner C3 of the fuel cell C1. .

  Hydrogen is supplied from the reformer C2 to the fuel electrode (anode) of the fuel cell C1, and air is supplied from the fluid supply device B to the air electrode (cathode). The fuel cell C1 reacts hydrogen and oxygen in the air to generate electric energy and heat energy. The electrical energy extracted as DC power is output to the inverter device D. The generated thermal energy is recovered by the exhaust heat recovery device E. The reformer C2 generates hydrogen by a chemical reaction (steam reforming) between hydrocarbons (such as methane) contained in the raw fuel supplied from the fluid supply device B and water supplied separately. Heat is required for the chemical reaction. The fuel cell C1 has an operating temperature (for example, set in the range of 750 to 1000 ° C. in the case of a solid oxide fuel cell) depending on the material, and the fuel cell C1 is set to the operating temperature. Heat is also needed to maintain. The burner C3 burns raw fuel to heat the reformer C2 and the fuel cell C1 in order to cause a chemical reaction in the reformer C2 and to raise the temperature of the fuel cell C1 to the operating temperature. To do. Since the fuel cell C1 generates heat in its chemical reaction, the burner C3 is mainly used when the fuel cell system A is started.

  The inverter device D converts the DC power output from the fuel cell C1 into AC power and outputs the AC power. The inverter device D is linked to the power system, and the output AC power is supplied to the load. The exhaust heat recovery device E recovers heat generated by the fuel cell C1 and heat generated by combustion in the burner C3. The exhaust heat recovery device E uses the heat of the exhaust gas emitted from the fuel cell module C and uses it for hot water supply or the like.

  Each cell of the fuel cell C1 has a structure in which an electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between electrodes of a fuel electrode and an air electrode. In order to cause a chemical reaction efficiently, it is desirable that hydrogen or oxygen be uniformly supplied to the entire electrode. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the impurities from adhering to each electrode and the impurities from adhering to the flow path for supplying hydrogen or oxygen to the entire electrodes as much as possible. Therefore, the fluid supply device B includes filter devices 11, 21, 31, and 41 for removing impurities such as dust from the air or raw fuel sucked into the blowers 12, 22, 32, and 42, respectively. 22, 32 and 42 are provided on the upstream side.

  The filter elements 11, 21, 31, 41 are each made of a material (for example, polymer nonwoven fabric, metal mesh, urethane, etc.) provided with a large number of holes having a diameter smaller than the impurities to be removed. 11a, 21a, 31a, 41a are mounted. Impurities contained in air or raw fuel are removed when passing through the filter elements 11a, 21a, 31a, 41a. Thus, the air or raw fuel sucked into the filter devices 11, 21, 31, 41 is discharged after removing impurities.

  When impurities are attached to the filter element and clogging occurs, the pressure loss of the filter device increases, and the power loss of the blower on the downstream side of the filter device increases. In addition, a necessary flow rate cannot be supplied. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the filter element periodically or when the differential pressure at the input / output of the filter device exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  When exchanging the filter element 11a or 31a, it is necessary to stop the air blower 12 or 32, respectively, in order to prevent an operator from sucking a hand or an object and to prevent inhalation of impurities. When the air blower 12 is stopped, no air is supplied to the fuel cell module C, and no oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell C1, so that the fuel cell C1 cannot generate power. In addition, when replacing the filter element 21a or 41a, the fuel blower 22 or 42 is stopped to prevent the raw fuel from flowing out from the filter element replacement port and to prevent air and impurities from being sucked in, respectively. It is necessary to let When the fuel blower 22 is stopped, the raw fuel is not supplied to the fuel cell module C, and hydrogen is not supplied to the fuel cell C1, so that the fuel cell C1 cannot generate power.

Further, if the air blower 12 or the fuel blower 22 is stopped during the operation of the fuel cell system A and the supply of air or raw fuel is cut off, the temperature of the fuel cell C1 rapidly changes, so the performance of the fuel cell C1. And adversely affects safety. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the fuel cell system A before stopping the air blower 12 or the fuel blower 22. That is, when replacing the filter element 11a or 21a , it is necessary to stop the fuel cell system A before the replacement. However, when the fuel cell system A is stopped, it takes time to raise the temperature of the fuel cell C1 to the operating temperature before restarting and generating power again. Since power generation cannot be performed during this period, the operation efficiency of the fuel cell system A is reduced. Therefore, when replacing the filter element, it is not preferable to stop the fuel cell system A before the replacement.

  In order to replace the filter element of the filter device without stopping the blower, there is a method of providing two filter devices connected in parallel. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-63789 describes a fuel cell system in which a plurality of systems of filters are arranged in parallel upstream of a fuel cell and the filter serving as a flow path can be switched. According to this, since the flow path can be switched to the other filter at the time of filter replacement, the supply of fluid is not stopped and the fuel cell system can be operated continuously.

JP 2005-63789 A

  However, in this case, it is necessary to provide another filter and a flow path for the filter only for filter replacement. In the fuel cell system A shown in FIG. 8, when the present invention is applied, each of the filter devices 11, 21, 31, 41 is separately provided with a filter device (that is, four new filter devices) connected in parallel. It will be. Moreover, piping for connecting these filter devices and a valve for switching the flow path are also required. Accordingly, there is a problem that the fluid supply device B is enlarged and the fuel cell system A as a whole is also enlarged. There is also a problem that the manufacturing cost increases due to an increase in the number of parts.

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and it is possible to replace a filter element without separately providing a new filter device and without stopping the supply of fluid. The object is to provide a supply device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

The fluid supply device provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of pipes that supply fluids to a plurality of supply destinations, a filter device that is provided in each of the pipes and removes impurities from the fluid, A valve that is provided in each of the pipes downstream of the filter devices and opens and closes the flow path of the fluid that has passed through the filter devices; and a connection pipe that connects the pipes downstream of the valves. the respectively provided on the downstream side of the portion connected to the other pipe of each pipe, and a blower for sending by boosting the air as the fluid, one of said plurality of pipes is a fuel cell supplying air, or another of the plurality of piping, and characterized in that for supplying air to the burner for heating the reformer to generate hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell or the fuel cell That. The fluid supply device provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of pipes that supply the same fluid to a plurality of supply destinations, and a filter device that is provided in each of the pipes and removes impurities from the fluid. And a valve that is provided in each of the pipes on the downstream side of the filter devices and opens and closes the flow path of the fluid that has passed through the filter devices, and a connection that connects the pipes on the downstream side of the valves. A pipe and a blower that is provided on the downstream side of the portion connected to the other pipes of the pipes and boosts and sends out gaseous fuel as the fluid, and any of the plurality of pipes is The gaseous fuel is supplied to a reformer that generates hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell, and another one of the plurality of pipes is connected to the burner that heats the fuel cell or the reformer. And supplying the.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, before closing the valve provided on the downstream side of one of the plurality of filter devices, the filter device is provided on the downstream side of any other filter device. Control means for controlling the opening of the valve is further provided.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the filter devices removes impurities from the fluid by allowing the fluid to pass through a filter element mounted therein, and upstream of each of the filter devices. Differential pressure detection means for detecting the differential pressure between the side and the downstream, respectively, and when the differential pressure detected by the differential pressure detection means exceeds a predetermined threshold value, It further comprises exchange notification means for notifying that the filter element should be replaced.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the filter devices removes impurities from the fluid by allowing the fluid to pass through a filter element mounted therein, and upstream of each of the filter devices. Differential pressure detection means for detecting the differential pressure between the side and the downstream side, and the control means is configured to detect the differential pressure when the differential pressure detected by the differential pressure detection means exceeds a predetermined threshold. The valve provided on the downstream side of the filter device in which is detected is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a valve for opening and closing the fluid flow path is also provided on the upstream side of each filter device.

A fuel cell system provided by the third aspect of the present invention includes a fluid supply device provided by the first or second aspect of the present invention, the fuel cell, the reformer, and the burner. I have.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of pipes are connected on the downstream side of the valve. Therefore, by closing the flow path of one pipe with a valve and opening the flow path of any other pipe with a valve, fluid does not pass through the filter device provided in the one pipe, The fluid that has passed through the filter device provided in any one of the other pipes can be supplied to the supply destination of the one pipe. As a result, even if the fluid does not pass through the filter device in order to replace the filter element mounted on the filter device, the supply of the fluid to the supply destination can be continued. Therefore, the filter element can be replaced without stopping the fluid supply.

  In addition, since a pipe provided for supplying a fluid to another supply destination and a filter device provided in the pipe are used as a fluid flow path, a new filter device is provided only for replacement of the filter element. There is no need to provide additional piping. Therefore, compared with a case where a new filter device and piping are separately provided only for replacement of the filter element, the fluid supply device and the system using the same can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be suppressed. can do.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating 1st Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of filter 1 replacement | exchange process. It is a timing chart for explaining filter 1 exchange processing. It is a block diagram for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating 4th Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating 5th Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating a fuel cell system provided with the conventional fluid supply apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a first embodiment of a fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention. The fluid supply device B1 corresponds to the fluid supply device B in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the same or similar elements as those of the fluid supply device B are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 1, only elements for supplying air are shown, and elements for supplying raw fuel are omitted (the same applies to FIGS. 4 to 5). Specifically, the description of the filter devices 21 and 41 and the fuel blowers 22 and 42 in the fluid supply device B shown in FIG. 8 is omitted.

  The fluid supply device B1 supplies raw fuel and air to the fuel cell module C. In the present embodiment, a case where a solid oxide fuel cell is used as the fuel cell C1 will be described. The fluid supply device B1 includes filter devices 11 and 31, air blowers 12 and 32, valves 13 and 33, a pipe 5, a control unit 6, an operation unit 7, and a display unit 8.

  The filter devices 11 and 31 remove impurities from the air taken from outside air. Filter elements 11a and 31a made of a material (for example, polymer nonwoven fabric, metal mesh, urethane, etc.) provided with a large number of holes having a diameter smaller than the impurities to be removed are mounted inside the filter devices 11 and 31, respectively. Has been. Impurities contained in the air are removed when passing through the filter elements 11a and 31a. When the filter elements 11a and 31a are clogged due to impurities, the power loss of the air blowers 12 and 32 on the downstream side increases, and a necessary flow rate cannot be supplied. Every time you do it, it is exchanged for a new one.

  The air blowers 12 and 32 increase the pressure of the air from which impurities have been removed by the filter devices 11 and 31 and send them out. The air sent from the air blower 12 flows through the pipe and is supplied to the cathode side of the fuel cell C1, and the air sent from the air blower 32 flows through the pipe and is supplied to the burner C3 (see FIG. 8). Usually, at the start of starting the fuel cell system A, the burner C3 is used to raise the temperature of the fuel cell module C to a predetermined operating temperature (preset in a range of 750 to 1000 ° C.). Heating is performed (hereinafter, the process for raising the temperature is referred to as “temperature raising process”). Accordingly, the air blower 32 is in an operating state in order to supply air to the burner C3 in the temperature raising step. However, after the temperature raising step, when the fuel cell module C can maintain the operating temperature, the burner C3 stops heating, so the air blower 32 is stopped. Since the air needs to be supplied to the fuel cell C1 while the fuel cell system A is operating, the air blower 12 continues to operate.

  The valves 13 and 33 are motor-operated valves that perform an opening / closing operation of the flow path based on an opening / closing signal input from the control unit 6.

The valve 13 is provided on the downstream side of the filter device 11 and opens and closes a flow path of air passing through the filter device 11. The valve 13 opens the flow path while an open signal (for example, a high level signal) is input as an open / close signal from the control unit 6. In this case, air from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 11 is sucked into the air blowers 12 and 32. On the other hand, the valve 13 closes the flow path while a closing signal (for example, a low level signal) is input as an opening / closing signal from the control unit 6. In this case, air does not pass through the filter device 11. Normally, the valve 13 is kept fully open while the air blower 12 is in an operating state. However, when the filter element 11a of the filter device 11 is replaced, the valve 13 is fully closed in order to prevent inhalation of impurities and for the safety of the operator.

The valve 33 is provided on the downstream side of the filter device 31 and opens and closes a flow path of air passing through the filter device 31. The valve 33 opens the flow path while an open signal (for example, a high level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, air from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 31 is sucked into the air blowers 12 and 32. On the other hand, the valve 33 closes the flow path while a closing signal (for example, a low level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, air does not pass through the filter device 31. The valve 33 is normally maintained in a fully open state while the air blower 32 is in an operating state, and is maintained in a fully closed state while the air blower 32 is in a stopped state. However, even when the air blower 32 is stopped, when the filter devices 11 and 31 are used together, the valve 33 is maintained in the fully open state. In this case, when the filter element 31a of the filter device 31 is replaced, the valve 33 is fully closed to prevent inhalation of impurities and for the safety of the operator.

  Since the valves 13 and 33 are motor-operated valves, a time of several seconds to 10 seconds is required for opening and closing operations. That is, it takes several seconds to 10 seconds from when the open signal is input from the control unit 6 until the fully opened state is reached, and after the close signal is input from the control unit 6 until it is fully closed. The valves 13 and 33 output a fully open signal for notifying the control unit 6 that the valve is fully open, and a fully closed signal for notifying the control unit 6 that the valve is fully closed.

  In the present embodiment, each of the valves 13 and 33 is provided with a limit switch (open) for sensing the fully open state and a limit switch (closed) for sensing the fully closed state. Each limit switch is not shown. When the valves 13 and 33 are fully open, the limit switch (open) is turned on, and the fully open signal becomes, for example, a high level signal. On the other hand, when the valves 13 and 33 are not in the fully open state, the limit switch (open) is turned off, and the fully open signal becomes, for example, a low level signal. Further, when the valves 13 and 33 are fully closed, the limit switch (closed) is turned on, and the fully closed signal becomes, for example, a high level signal. On the other hand, when the valves 13 and 33 are not in the fully closed state, the limit switch (closed) is turned off, and the fully closed signal becomes, for example, a low level signal.

  The valves 13 and 33 are not limited to those that detect the fully open state and the fully closed state with a limit switch. The full open state and the full close state may be detected by other methods. Further, the fully open signal and the fully closed signal are not limited to those described above. For example, the high level signal and the low level signal may be reversed. In addition, the fully open signal and the fully closed signal are not separate signals, but one signal, a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width is output when the fully open state is detected, and different pulse widths are output when the fully closed state is detected. A pulse signal may be output.

The pipe 5 constitutes a flow path for allowing the air blowers 12 and 32 to suck the air that has passed through the filter devices 11 and 31. In the present embodiment, the pipe 5 includes a pipe 5 a that connects the discharge port of the filter device 11 and the suction port of the air blower 12, and a pipe 5 b that connects the discharge port of the filter device 31 and the suction port of the air blower 32. The pipe 5a connects the pipe 5a and the pipe 5b. The pipe 5 a is connected to the pipe 5 c between the valve 13 and the air blower 12, and the pipe 5 b is connected to the pipe 5 c between the valve 33 and the air blower 32.

When the valve 13 is fully closed, the air from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 31 flows through the pipe 5 and is sucked into the air blowers 12 and 32. On the other hand, when the valve 33 is fully closed, the air from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 11 flows through the pipe 5 and is sucked into the air blowers 12 and 32. If the valves 13 and 33 are fully closed at the same time, air is not drawn into the air blowers 12 and 32 and air is not supplied to the fuel cell module C. Therefore, the control unit 6 controls so as not to simultaneously output the closing signals to the valves 13 and 33.

  The control unit 6 controls the fluid supply device B1. The control unit 6 outputs an open / close signal to the valves 13 and 33 to open / close the flow path. That is, the control unit 6 outputs an open signal (for example, a high level signal), causes the valves 13 and 33 to open the flow path, and outputs a close signal (for example, a low level signal). The valves 13 and 33 are caused to close the flow path. The open / close signal is not limited to this, and the high level signal and the low level signal may be reversed.

The control unit 6 performs processing based on the operation signal input from the operation unit 7 and the signals input from the valves 13 and 33 and causes the display unit 8 to perform display. In addition, the control unit 6 performs a process for exchanging the filter elements (hereinafter referred to as “filter exchange process”, which will be described later). The control unit 6 controls the output of the air blowers 12 and 32 based on the flow rate detected by a flow rate detector (not shown) provided on the output side of the air blowers 12 and 32. That is, the control unit 6 performs feedback control so that the flow rate output from each of the air blowers 12 and 32 becomes a target value. In addition, in FIG. 1, description of the structure of the said flow control is abbreviate | omitted.

The operation unit 7 outputs an operation signal to the control unit 6 based on an operation input from an operator. A plurality of operation buttons (not shown) are arranged on the operation unit 7, a “filter 1 replacement” button for exchanging the filter element 11 a of the filter device 11, and an exchange of the filter element 31 a of the filter device 31. "filter 3 Replacing" button, and also "exchange completion" button to press when a replacement is completed is disposed. When the operator presses the operation button (operation input), an operation signal corresponding to the operation input is input to the control unit 6.

  The display unit 8 displays the state of the fluid supply device B1, the contents of the operation input, and the like, and is a liquid crystal display panel, for example. The display unit 8 performs display according to an instruction from the control unit 6. The control unit 6 operates the fluid supply apparatus B1 (whether it is operating or stopped) and the content of the operation input corresponding to the operation signal input from the operation unit 7 (the fact that the “filter 1 replacement” button has been pressed). Etc.), instructions and guidance for the worker are displayed on the display unit 8.

  Next, the filter replacement process will be described. Here, a filter replacement process (hereinafter referred to as “filter 1 replacement process”) for replacing the filter element 11a of the filter device 11 will be described.

  When the operator presses the “filter 1 replacement” button (when an operation signal to that effect is input from the operation unit 7), the control unit 6 starts the filter 1 replacement process. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the filter 1 replacement process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the timing chart shown in FIG. Here, a case will be described in which the “filter 1 replacement” button is pressed when the valve 13 is fully opened and the valve 33 is fully closed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the filter 1 replacement processing performed by the control unit 6. The filter 1 replacement process is started when the operator presses the “filter 1 replacement” button and an operation signal to that effect is input from the operation unit 7.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the filter 1 replacement process, and shows the waveforms of the input / output signals of the control unit 6 and the opening degrees of the valves 13 and 33. 2A shows the waveform of the opening / closing signal output from the control unit 6 to the valve 33, and FIG. 2B shows the waveform of the opening / closing signal output from the control unit 6 to the valve 13. FIG. FIG. 4C shows the opening degree of the valve 33, and FIG. 4D shows the opening degree of the valve 13. FIG. 4E shows the waveform of the fully open signal input from the valve 33 to the control unit 6, and FIG. 5F shows the waveform of the fully closed signal input from the valve 33 to the control unit 6. . FIG. 5G shows the waveform of the fully open signal input from the valve 13 to the control unit 6, and FIG. 6H shows the waveform of the fully closed signal input from the valve 13 to the control unit 6. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the filter 1 replacement process is started, first, a display command is output to the display unit 8 in order to notify the operator that an operation input by pressing the “filter 1 replacement” button has been accepted. (S1). As a result, for example, a message such as “Start the filter 1 replacement process” is displayed on the display unit 8. Next, an open signal is output to the valve 33 (S2).

Before the filter 1 replacement process is started, the open / close signal output to the valve 33 shown in FIG. 3A is a close signal (low level signal), and the valve 13 shown in FIG. The output open / close signal is an open signal (high level signal). When the filter 1 replacement process is started at t = t1, the control unit 6 switches the open / close signal shown in FIG. 5A to an open signal (high level signal). Although a time lag actually occurs, it is assumed that there is no time lag for the sake of simplicity (the same applies hereinafter). The valve 33 to which the opening signal is input performs an opening operation, and is fully opened (opening degree 100%) at t = t2 (see FIG. 3C). At this time, the fully open signal from the valve 33 is switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (see (e) in the figure).

Next, it is determined whether or not the fully open signal from the valve 33 is a high level signal (S3). The input waiting state is continued until the fully open signal becomes a high level signal (S3: NO). When the fully open signal becomes a high level signal (S3: YES), a close signal is output to the valve 13 (S4). That is, when the fully open signal shown in FIG. 3E becomes a high level signal, the control unit 6 switches the open / close signal shown in FIG. 3B to a close signal (low level signal). The valve 13 to which the closing signal is input performs a closing operation, and is fully closed (opening degree 0%) at t = t3 (see FIG. 4D). At this time, the fully closed signal from the valve 13 is switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (see (h) in the figure).

If the valve 33 is fully open (the air blower 32 is in an operating state) at the start of the filter 1 replacement process, steps S2 and S3 are omitted, and a close signal is immediately output to the valve 13 (S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fully closed signal from the valve 13 is a high level signal (S5). The input waiting state is continued until the fully closed signal becomes a high level signal (S5: NO). When the fully closed signal becomes a high level signal (S5: YES), a command to display that the display unit 8 can be replaced is displayed. Is output (S6). That is, since the valve 33 is fully opened and the valve 13 is fully closed, air does not pass through the filter device 11 and the filter element 11a can be replaced. For example, a message such as “Filter 1 can be replaced” is displayed. The operator sees the display and replaces the filter element 11a. When the replacement is completed, the operator presses a “replacement complete” button arranged on the operation unit 7. The operation unit 7 outputs an operation signal corresponding to this (hereinafter, “exchange completion signal”) to the control unit 6.

Next, it is determined whether or not an exchange completion signal has been input (S7). Until the exchange completion signal is input, the input waiting state is continued (S7: NO). When the exchange completion signal is input (S7: YES), an open signal is output to the valve 13 (S8). That is, when an exchange completion signal is input at t = t4, the control unit 6 switches the open / close signal shown in FIG. 5B to an open signal (high level signal). The valve 13 to which the opening signal is input performs an opening operation, and is fully opened (opening degree 100%) at t = t5 (see FIG. 4D). At this time, the fully open signal from the valve 13 is switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (see (g) in the figure).

Next, it is determined whether or not the fully open signal from the valve 13 is a high level signal (S9). The input waiting state is continued until the fully open signal becomes a high level signal (S9: NO). When the fully open signal becomes a high level signal (S9: YES), a close signal is output to the valve 33 (S10). That is, when the fully open signal shown in FIG. 3G becomes a high level signal, the control unit 6 switches the open / close signal shown in FIG. 3A to a close signal (low level signal). The valve 33 to which the closing signal is input performs a closing operation, and is fully closed (opening degree 0%) at t = t6 (see FIG. 5C). At this time, the fully closed signal from the valve 33 is switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (see (f) in the figure).

Next, it is determined whether or not the fully closed signal from the valve 33 is a high level signal (S11). The input waiting state is continued until the fully closed signal becomes a high level signal (S11: NO). When the fully closed signal becomes a high level signal (S11: YES), the display unit 8 informs the end of the filter 1 replacement process. Is output (S12), and the filter 1 replacement process is terminated. That is, since the valve 13 is fully opened and the valve 33 is fully closed, the air is in the original state passing through the filter device 11. Is displayed. "Is displayed.

If the valve 33 is fully open (the air blower 32 is in an operating state) at the start of the filter 1 replacement process, steps S10 and S11 are omitted, and the filter 1 replacement process is completed without closing the valve 33. A command to be displayed is output (S12).

The filter 3 replacement process for replacing the filter element 31a of the filter device 31 is performed in the same manner as the filter 1 replacement process. That is, the valve 13 is fully opened and the valve 33 is fully closed, and then the operator replaces the filter element 31a. Thereafter, the valve 33 is fully opened and the valve 13 is fully closed. During normal operation of the fuel cell system A, the valve 13 is fully open (the air blower 12 is in an operating state) and the valve 33 is fully closed (the air blower 32 is in a stopped state). In this case, the filter element 31a can be replaced without performing the filter 3 replacement process.

  Next, the operation of the fluid supply device B1 will be described.

  The fluid supply device B1 operates the air blower 12 to supply air to the fuel cell C1 when the fuel cell system A (see FIG. 8) is in operation. At this time, the control unit 6 fully opens the valve 13, so that air from which impurities have been removed through the filter device 11 is boosted by the air blower 12 and supplied to the fuel cell C1. In addition, the fluid supply device B1 operates the air blower 32 to supply air to the burner C3 in a temperature rising process such as when the fuel cell system A is activated. At this time, the control unit 6 fully opens the valve 33, so that air from which impurities have been removed through the filter device 31 is pressurized by the air blower 32 and supplied to the burner C3. During normal operation, air blower 32 is stopped because it is not necessary to supply air to burner C3. At this time, the valve 33 is normally fully closed.

  When the filter element 11a of the filter device 11 is replaced when the valve 13 is fully opened and the valve 33 is fully closed, the fluid supply device B1 fully closes the valve 13 after the valve 33 is fully opened. State. The operator performs replacement work after confirming the fully closed state of the valve 13. When the replacement operation is completed, the fluid supply device B1 returns the valve 33 to the original state by fully closing the valve 13 and then closing the valve 33.

  Next, the operation of the fluid supply device B1 will be described.

  When the fuel cell system A is in an operating state, the fluid supply device B1 operates the air blower 12 to supply air to the fuel cell C1. At this time, when the filter element 11a of the filter device 11 is replaced, the control unit 6 sets the valve 13 to the fully closed state after setting the valve 33 to the fully open state. At this time, the pipe 5a connecting the discharge port of the filter device 11 and the suction port of the air blower 12, and the pipe 5b connecting the discharge port of the filter device 31 and the suction port of the air blower 32 are connected by the pipe 5c. Therefore, the air that has passed through the filter device 31 is sucked into the air blower 12 through the pipe 5c. Thereby, fluid supply apparatus B1 can supply air to fuel cell C1 also at the time of filter element 11a replacement | exchange.

  In addition, the fluid supply device B1 uses the filter device 31 provided for removing impurities from the air supplied to the burner C3 to remove impurities from the air supplied to the fuel cell C1 when the filter element 11a is replaced. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a new filter device for replacing the filter element 11a. In addition, the number of pipes and valves can be reduced as compared with a case where a new filter device is separately provided. Accordingly, the fluid supply device B1 and the fuel cell system A using the fluid supply device B1 can be reduced in size compared with a case where a new filter device is separately provided for replacing the filter element 11a, and the manufacturing cost of the device is also reduced. Can be suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the case where the valves 13 and 33 output a fully open signal and a fully closed signal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the valves 13 and 33 do not have a function of outputting a full open signal and a full close signal, the control unit 6 sets a predetermined time from the output of the open / close signal (the time required for the open / close operation of the valves 13 and 33 is set in advance). It may be determined that the fully opened state or the fully closed state has been reached when a time has elapsed (for example, 10 seconds). That is, whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed instead of the processing of steps S3, S5, S9, and S11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 to determine whether or not the fully open signal or the fully closed signal is a high level signal. You may make it the process which discriminate | determines. Also, even if there is a function of outputting a full open signal and total closing signal to the valve 13 and 33, the control unit 6 may determine the fully open or fully closed state with the lapse of a predetermined time.

  In addition, in the said 1st Embodiment, although the valves 13 and 33 are motorized valves, it is not restricted to this. Since the valves 13 and 33 do not adjust the air flow rate but open and close the flow path, the valves 13 and 33 may be valves having a fully-closed function. For example, the valves 13 and 33 may be electromagnetic valves in order to increase the opening and closing speed. It can also be an electric proportional control valve. In this case, the control unit 6 may output a signal for setting the opening degree to 100% as an open signal and a signal for setting the opening degree to 0% as a closing signal. Also, instead of outputting an open signal, the output signal is adjusted so that the opening gradually increases from 0% to 100%, and instead of outputting a closing signal, the opening gradually increases from 100% to 0%. You may make it adjust an output signal so that it may become small.

  Further, the valves 13 and 33 do not have to be automatic valves that are opened and closed by an opening / closing signal from the control unit 6 but may be manual valves. In this case, an operator may manually open and close the valves 13 and 33 in accordance with instructions displayed on the display unit 8. Further, without using the control unit 6, the operation unit 7, and the display unit 8, the operator may manually open and close the valves 13 and 33 according to the operation procedure.

  In the first embodiment, the filter elements 11a and 31a are replaced every time a predetermined period elapses (the operator replaces the filter from the operation unit 7 in order to grasp the replacement timing and perform the replacement work). The case where an operation signal for processing is input) has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 6 may record the previous replacement date of the filter elements 11a and 31a, and cause the display unit 8 to display a prompt for replacement when a predetermined period has elapsed. Further, the control unit 6 may determine that the filter elements 11a and 31a should be replaced, and cause the display unit 8 to display a message prompting replacement. Below, the fluid supply apparatus which judges that filter element 11a, 31a should be replaced | exchanged and alert | reports that is demonstrated as 2nd Embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same or similar elements as those in the fluid supply device B1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The fluid supply device B2 is different from the fluid supply device B1 in that differential pressure detectors 14 and 34 for detecting the differential pressure between the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter devices 11 and 31 are provided.

  The differential pressure detector 14 detects the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the filter device 11 and outputs the pressure difference (differential pressure) between them to the control unit 6 as a detected value. Similarly, the differential pressure detector 34 detects the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the filter device 31, and outputs the pressure difference (differential pressure) between them to the control unit 6 as a detected value. Even if the differential pressure detector 14 is not separately provided, if the pressure detector for detecting the upstream pressure and the pressure detector for detecting the downstream pressure are provided, the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure are detected. May be output to the control unit 6 and the control unit 6 may calculate the differential pressure.

  When the impurities removed from the air adhere to the filter element 11a of the filter device 11, the differential pressure detected by the differential pressure detector 14 gradually increases. When the detected differential pressure value input from the differential pressure detector 14 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 6 prompts the display unit 8 to replace the filter element 11a (for example, “change the filter 1 Please display "). The predetermined threshold is set to a differential pressure at which the filter element 11a should be replaced. Similarly, when the differential pressure detection value input from the differential pressure detector 34 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 6 prompts the display unit 8 to replace the filter element 31a (for example, “filter 3 is selected. Please replace. ”) Is displayed.

  In the second embodiment, the fluid supply device B2 appropriately determines the replacement timing of the filter element and notifies the operator, so that the operator knows the replacement timing as in the case of the first embodiment. There is no need.

  Note that instead of displaying a message on the display unit 8, notification may be given by voice, or message display and voice notification may be used in combination. Moreover, you may make it the control part 6 start a filter replacement | exchange process. That is, when the differential pressure detection value input from the differential pressure detector 14 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the valve 33 is fully opened, the valve 13 is fully closed, and the filter element 11a is replaced. You may make it alert | report to an operator after setting it as a possible state.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same or similar elements as those in the fluid supply device B1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The fluid supply device B3 is different from the fluid supply device B1 in the shape of the filter device 11 '.

  The filter device 11 'has two suction ports 11b and 31b and two discharge ports 11c and 31c. The filter device 11 ′ is provided with a partition 11 ′ a that does not allow air to pass between the two discharge ports 11 c and 31 c. Accordingly, air sucked from one suction port 11b is discharged from one discharge port 11c, and air sucked from the other suction port 31b is discharged from the other discharge port 31c. The filter element 11a is mounted in one space (the space where the suction port 11b and the discharge port 11c are provided) partitioned by the partition 11′a of the filter device 11 ′, and the other space (the suction port 31b and the discharge port). The filter element 31a is mounted in the space on the side where the outlet 31c is provided.

  In the third embodiment, since the fluid supply device B3 includes one filter device, the fluid supply device B3 can be further downsized than the fluid supply device B1 of the first embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the flow path for supplying air to the fuel cell module C (see FIG. 8) has been described. However, the raw fuel is supplied to the fuel cell module C. The present invention can also be applied to the flow path. Hereinafter, a fluid supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied to a flow path for supplying raw fuel will be described as a fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention. The fluid supply device B4 corresponds to the fluid supply device B in the fuel cell system shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, elements that are the same as or similar to those of the fluid supply device B are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, only elements for supplying raw fuel are described, and elements for supplying air are omitted. Specifically, the description of the filter devices 11 and 31 and the air blowers 12 and 32 in the fluid supply device B shown in FIG. 8 is omitted.

  The fluid supply device B4 supplies raw fuel and air to the fuel cell module C. The fluid supply device B4 includes filter devices 21 and 41, fuel blowers 22 and 42, valves 23, 24, 43 and 44, a pipe 9, a control unit 6, an operation unit 7 and a display unit 8.

  The filter devices 21 and 41 remove impurities from the raw fuel. Inside the filter devices 21 and 41, filter elements 21a and 41a made of a material (for example, metal mesh, polymer nonwoven fabric, urethane, etc.) provided with a large number of holes having a diameter smaller than the impurities to be removed are provided. It has been. Impurities contained in the raw fuel are removed when passing through the filter elements 21a and 41a. Similarly to the filter elements 11a and 31a (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, the filter elements 21a and 41a are replaced with new ones each time a predetermined period elapses.

  The fuel blowers 22 and 42 increase the pressure of the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed by the filter devices 21 and 41 and send them out. The raw fuel delivered by the fuel blower 22 flows through the piping and is supplied to the reformer C2, and the raw fuel delivered by the fuel blower 42 flows through the piping and is supplied to the burner C3 (see FIG. 8). As described above, since the burner C3 performs heating in the temperature raising step, the fuel blower 42 is in an operating state in order to supply raw fuel to the burner C3. Further, after the temperature raising step, the burner C3 stops heating, so the fuel blower 42 is stopped. Since it is necessary to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell C1 while the fuel cell system A is in operation, it is necessary to supply raw fuel to the reformer C2. Accordingly, the fuel blower 22 continues to operate.

  The valves 23, 24, 43, and 44 are motor-operated valves that perform the opening / closing operation of the flow path based on the opening / closing signal input from the control unit 6.

The valve 23 is provided on the downstream side of the filter device 21, and the valve 24 is provided on the upstream side of the filter device 21. The valves 23 and 24 open and close the flow path of the raw fuel that passes through the filter device 21. The valves 23 and 24 open the flow path while an open signal (for example, a high level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 21 is sucked into the fuel blowers 22 and 42. On the other hand, the valves 23 and 24 close the flow path while a closing signal (for example, a low level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, the raw fuel does not pass through the filter device 21. Normally, while the fuel blower 22 is in an operating state, the valves 23 and 24 are maintained in a fully opened state. However, when the filter element 21a of the filter device 21 is replaced, the valves 23 and 24 are used in order to prevent the raw fuel from flowing out from the replacement port of the filter element 21a and to prevent inhalation of air and impurities. Is fully closed.

The valve 43 is provided on the downstream side of the filter device 41, and the valve 44 is provided on the upstream side of the filter device 41. The valves 43 and 44 open and close the flow path of the raw fuel that passes through the filter device 41. The valves 43 and 44 open the flow path while an open signal (for example, a high level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, the raw fuel from which impurities are removed by the filter device 41 is sucked into the fuel blowers 22 and 42. On the other hand, the valves 43 and 44 close the flow path while a closing signal (for example, a low level signal) is input from the control unit 6. In this case, the raw fuel does not pass through the filter device 41. The valves 43 and 44 are normally maintained in a fully opened state while the fuel blower 42 is in an operating state, and are maintained in a fully closed state while the fuel blower 42 is in a stopped state. However, even when the fuel blower 42 is stopped, when the filter devices 21 and 41 are used together, the valves 43 and 44 are maintained in the fully opened state. However, when the filter element 41a of the filter device 41 is replaced, the valves 43 and 44 are used to prevent the raw fuel from flowing out from the replacement port of the filter element 41a and to prevent the intake of air and impurities. Is fully closed.

  The valves 23, 24, 43, and 44 are provided with limit switches for sensing the fully open state and the fully closed state, similarly to the valves 13 and 33 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. Each limit switch is not shown. As in the first embodiment, each fully open signal becomes a high level signal when each valve is fully open, and becomes a low level signal when the valve is not fully open. Each fully closed signal becomes a high level signal when each valve is in a fully closed state, and becomes a low level signal when it is not in a fully closed state.

The pipe 9 constitutes a flow path for allowing the fuel blowers 22 and 42 to suck the raw fuel that has passed through the filter devices 21 and 41. In the present embodiment, the pipe 9 includes a pipe 9 a that connects the discharge port of the filter device 21 and the suction port of the fuel blower 22, and a pipe 9 b that connects the discharge port of the filter device 41 and the suction port of the fuel blower 42. The pipe 9a and the pipe 9b are connected to the pipe 9c. The pipe 9 a is connected to the pipe 9 c between the valve 23 and the fuel blower 22, and the pipe 9 b is connected to the pipe 9 c between the valve 43 and the fuel blower 42.

When the valves 23 and 24 are fully closed, the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 41 flows through the pipe 9 and is sucked into the fuel blowers 22 and 42. On the other hand, when the valves 43 and 44 are fully closed, the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed by the filter device 21 flows through the pipe 9 and is sucked into the fuel blowers 22 and 42. When the valves 23, 24 and 43, 44 are fully closed at the same time, the raw fuel is not sucked into the fuel blowers 22 and 42, and the raw fuel is not supplied to the fuel cell module C. Therefore, the control unit 6 is set so as not to simultaneously output a closing signal to the valves 23, 24 and 43, 44.

The control unit 6 controls the fluid supply device B4. The control unit 6 outputs an open / close signal to the valves 23, 24, 43, and 44 to open and close the flow channel, similarly to the control unit 6 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. The control unit 6 performs processing based on the input signal and causes the display unit 8 to perform display. In addition, the control unit 6 performs output control of the fuel blowers 22 and 42.

Further, the control unit 6 performs a filter replacement process for replacing the filter elements 21a and 41a. The filter replacement process is substantially the same as that described in the first embodiment. Since the valves 24 and 44 are also provided on the upstream side in the filter devices 21 and 41, respectively, as processing corresponding to the output processing of the opening / closing signals in steps S2, S4, S8, and S10 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Processing for outputting an open / close signal to the valves 23 and 24 or the valves 43 and 44 is performed. In the fourth embodiment, the same opening / closing signal is output to the valves 23 and 24. However, the opening / closing signal may be output separately. The same applies to the open / close signal output to the valves 43 and 44. Further, as a process corresponding to the determination process of whether or not the fully open signal or the fully closed signal at steps S3, S5, S9, and S11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is a high level signal, both valves (valves 23 and 24, Alternatively, it is determined whether or not each signal input from the valves 43 and 44 is a high level signal. For example, as a process corresponding to step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not each full open signal input from the valves 43 and 44 is a high level signal, and both full open signals are high level signals. If there is, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

The operation unit 7 and the display unit 8 are the same as the operation unit 7 and the display unit 8 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. The operation unit 7, the operation buttons (FIG like "filter 4 Replacing" button for exchanging "Filter 2 exchange" button for exchanging the filter element 21a of the filter device 21, the filter element 41a of the filter device 41 (Not shown) is arranged.

  The fluid supply device B4 operates the fuel blower 22 to supply raw fuel to the reformer C2 when the fuel cell system A (see FIG. 8) is in operation. At this time, the control unit 6 fully opens the valves 23 and 24, whereby the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed through the filter device 21 is boosted by the fuel blower 22 and supplied to the reformer C2. . Further, the fluid supply device B4 supplies the raw fuel to the burner C3 by operating the fuel blower 42 in a temperature rising process such as when the fuel cell system A is activated. At this time, the control unit 6 opens the valves 43 and 44 so that the raw fuel from which impurities have been removed through the filter device 41 is boosted by the fuel blower 42 and supplied to the burner C3. During normal operation, it is not necessary to supply raw fuel to the burner C3, so the fuel blower 42 is stopped. At this time, the valves 43 and 44 are normally fully closed.

  When replacing the filter element 21a of the filter device 21 when the valves 23 and 24 are fully opened and the valves 43 and 44 are fully closed, the fluid supply device B4 is configured so that the valves 43 and 44 are fully opened. The valves 23 and 24 are fully closed. The operator performs replacement work after confirming the fully closed state of the valves 23 and 24. When the replacement work is completed, the fluid supply device B4 returns the valve 43, 44 to the original state by fully closing the valve 23, 24 after the valve 23, 24 is fully opened.

  The fluid supply device B4 operates the fuel blower 22 to supply raw fuel to the reformer C2 when the fuel cell system A is in operation. At this time, when replacing the filter element 21a of the filter device 21, the control unit 6 sets the valves 23 and 24 to a fully closed state after setting the valves 43 and 44 to a fully open state. At this time, the pipe 9a connecting the discharge port of the filter device 21 and the suction port of the fuel blower 22 and the pipe 9b connecting the discharge port of the filter device 41 and the suction port of the fuel blower 42 are connected by the pipe 9c. Therefore, the raw fuel that has passed through the filter device 41 is sucked into the fuel blower 22 through the pipe 9c. Thereby, the fluid supply device B4 can supply the raw fuel to the reformer C2 even when the filter element 21a is replaced.

Further, the fluid supply device B4 removes impurities from the raw fuel supplied to the reformer C2 when the filter device 21a is replaced with the filter device 41 provided for removing impurities from the raw fuel supplied to the burner C3. Used for. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a new filter device for replacing the filter element 21a. In addition, the number of pipes and valves can be reduced as compared with a case where a new filter device is separately provided. Therefore, the fluid supply device B4 and the fuel cell system A using the same can be reduced in size compared with the case where a new filter device is separately provided for replacing the filter element 21a, and the manufacturing cost of the device is also reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 6 determines that the fully opened state or the fully closed state has been reached when a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening / closing signal was output. You may do it. Further, the valves 23, 24, 43, and 44 may be electromagnetic valves, electric proportional control valves, or manual valves instead of electric valves. Alternatively, the control unit 6 may record the previous replacement date of the filter elements 21a and 41a, and cause the display unit 8 to display a prompt for replacement when a predetermined period has elapsed. Further, as in the second embodiment, the differential pressure detector detects the differential pressure of the filter devices 21 and 41, determines that the control unit 6 should replace the filter elements 21a and 41a, and displays the display unit 8 It is possible to display a message prompting replacement or to notify by voice, or the control unit 6 may start the filter replacement process.

In addition, when the city gas etc. to which the sulfur content is added as an odorant are raw fuel, the filter apparatuses 21 and 41 may be filter apparatuses (desulfurization apparatuses) having a desulfurization function. In this case, when the fuel blower 42 is stopped, the life of the desulfurization device 41 can be extended by closing the valves 43 and 44 as much as possible.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of a fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention. The fluid supply device B5 shown in the figure includes a flow path for supplying air of the fluid supply device B1 (see FIG. 1) shown in the first embodiment and a fluid supply device B4 (see FIG. 6) shown in the fourth embodiment. A flow path for supplying raw fuel is shown in combination. Since each element of the fluid supply device B5 is the same as each element of the fluid supply device B1 and the fluid supply device B4, description thereof is omitted.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the fuel cell C1 is a solid oxide fuel cell. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to the case where air or raw fuel is supplied to a fuel cell module that uses other types of fuel cells such as molten carbonate fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and phosphoric acid fuel cells. Can do. In particular, in the case of a fuel cell set at a high operating temperature, the fuel cell system must be stopped to interrupt the supply of air or raw fuel, and it takes time to raise the temperature to the operating temperature again. Therefore, the present invention is effective.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the blowers 12, 22, 32, and 42 are arranged downstream of the pipes 5c and 9c in order to control the amount of fluid supplied. Not limited. For example, when it is not necessary to further increase the pressure, such as when the raw fuel is supplied from a high pressure cylinder, the blower need not be provided.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the air is supplied to the fuel cell C1 (the flow path including the filter device 11, the valve 13, the air blower 12, and the pipe 5a), and the air is supplied to the burner C3. A flow path (flow path comprising a filter device 31, a valve 33, an air blower 32, and a pipe 5b), a flow path for supplying raw fuel to the reformer C2 (filter device 21, valves 23, 24, fuel blower 22, And a flow path consisting of the pipe 9a) and a flow path for supplying raw fuel to the burner C3 (a flow path consisting of the filter device 41, valves 43 and 44, the fuel blower 42, and the pipe 9b) are each described. However, it is not limited to this. There may be a configuration in which there are a plurality of any of them.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention is used in a fuel cell system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a fluid supply apparatus that supplies fluid to other systems. In particular, the present invention is effective in a system in which the operation cannot be interrupted or a system in which the efficiency is reduced due to the interruption of the operation. For example, the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention can be used in a power generation system that needs to continuously supply fuel or a chemical plant that needs to cause a chemical reaction continuously. The supplied fluid is not limited to these gases, and may be other gases or liquids. For example, the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention can be used for a system that needs to continuously supply cooling water.

  The fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.

A Fuel cell system B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 Fluid supply device 11, 21, 31, 41 Filter device 12, 32 Air blower 22, 42 Fuel blower 13, 23, 24, 33, 43, 44 Valve 14 , 34 Differential pressure detector 5, 9 Piping 6 Control unit 7 Operation unit 8 Display unit C Fuel cell module C1 Fuel cell C2 Reformer C3 Burner D Inverter device E Waste heat recovery device

Claims (7)

A plurality of pipes for supplying the same fluid to a plurality of supply destinations;
A filter device provided in each of the pipes to remove impurities from the fluid;
A valve that is provided on each of the pipes on the downstream side of each of the filter devices and opens and closes the flow path of the fluid that has passed through the filter devices;
A connection pipe for connecting the pipes on the downstream side of the valve;
A blower that is provided on the downstream side of the portion connected to the other piping of each of the pipings, and pressurizes and sends out the air as the fluid;
Equipped with a,
Any of the plurality of pipes supplies air to the fuel cell;
Another one of the plurality of pipes supplies air to a burner that heats the fuel cell or a reformer that generates hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell.
A fluid supply apparatus. A plurality of pipes for supplying the same fluid to a plurality of supply destinations;
A filter device provided in each of the pipes to remove impurities from the fluid;
A valve that is provided on each of the pipes on the downstream side of each of the filter devices and opens and closes the flow path of the fluid that has passed through the filter devices;
A connection pipe for connecting the pipes on the downstream side of the valve;
A blower that is provided on the downstream side of the portion connected to the other piping of each of the pipings, and that boosts and sends out gaseous fuel as the fluid;
Equipped with a,
Any of the plurality of pipes supplies the gaseous fuel to a reformer that generates hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell,
Another one of the plurality of pipes supplies the gaseous fuel to a burner that heats the fuel cell or the reformer.
A fluid supply apparatus. Control means for performing control to open a valve provided on the downstream side of any one of the other filter devices before closing the valve provided on the downstream side of one of the plurality of filter devices. further comprising in that, the fluid supply device according to claim 1 or 2. Each of the filter devices removes impurities from the fluid by allowing the fluid to pass through a filter element mounted therein.
Differential pressure detecting means for detecting the differential pressure between the upstream side and the downstream side of each filter device;
An exchange notification means for notifying that the filter element of the filter device in which the differential pressure is detected should be replaced when the differential pressure detected by the differential pressure detection means exceeds a predetermined threshold;
The fluid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising: Each of the filter devices removes impurities from the fluid by allowing the fluid to pass through a filter element mounted therein.
Further comprising differential pressure detecting means for detecting the differential pressure between the upstream side and the downstream side of each filter device,
The said control means closes the valve provided in the downstream of the filter apparatus from which the said differential pressure was detected, when the differential pressure detected by the said differential pressure detection means becomes more than a predetermined threshold value. 4. The fluid supply device according to 3 . Valves for opening and closing the fluid flow path are also provided on the upstream side of each filter device,
The fluid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A fluid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ;
A fuel cell system comprising the fuel cell, the reformer, and the burner.

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