JP5911366B2 - Fuel cell system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell, and a control unit that controls the operation of the fuel cell. The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and a control method thereof.

  Such a fuel cell system directly converts the chemical energy of the hydrogen-containing gas into electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction, so that there is little loss that occurs with energy conversion and high power generation efficiency can be obtained. In addition, water is the only substance produced with power generation, and the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that cause air pollution is almost zero, and unit power generation compared to conventional thermal power generation The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted per hit can be reduced. Furthermore, the overall energy efficiency can be improved by effectively utilizing the exhaust heat accompanying power generation. Therefore, it is expected that fuel cell power generation systems will be widely used in the future.

In such a fuel cell system, if the start and stop are frequently repeated, deterioration of the cells and reforming catalyst provided in the fuel cell proceeds, and the predetermined service life (for example, 10 years) is exceeded. Life may be shortened. In particular, in a system using a solid oxide fuel cell, such deterioration tends to proceed because the operating temperature of the fuel cell is very high.
Also, when the fuel cell system is urgently stopped, the supply of fuel gas is stopped before appropriate purge processing for suppressing deterioration of the fuel cell or reforming catalyst is performed. In some cases, the service life was extremely short.

  In order to prevent such a problem, the conventional fuel cell system continuously operates in a so-called main operation state in which the power generation output is determined based on the power load in the facility in order to suppress the performance degradation caused by the start / stop. What is comprised so that it may drive | operate automatically is known (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2011-146208 A

Even when the specifications are such that the fuel cell system is continuously operated in the main operation state as described above, it may be frequently started and stopped due to user convenience, etc., resulting in a shortened life was there. Further, even if guidance such as that described in the instruction manual is given to the user so as not to start and stop frequently, it is difficult to make it known well. In particular, in a specific actual machine, it is not possible to estimate how much start / stop is allowed in the future in relation to the past operation history, and excessive start / stop only after a failure occurs. It was not possible to know that the stop was made.
Further, in the case where such frequent user start / stop is performed, there has been no appropriate measure for ensuring the lifetime up to the service life.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a point, and the purpose thereof is a fuel capable of ensuring the life until the useful life even when starting and stopping are frequently performed due to user convenience or the like. The point is to provide a battery system.

In order to achieve this object, the characteristic configuration of the fuel cell system according to the present invention is as follows:
A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a display unit that displays an operation state of the fuel cell; and a control unit that performs operation control of the fuel cell. I met with,
Before Symbol control unit,
Measuring means for measuring the current cumulative number of stops of the fuel cell as the current cumulative number of stops;
As the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases until it reaches a predetermined useful cumulative operation time, an allowable upper limit value of the cumulative stop count is gradually increased to a predetermined allowable allowable stop count. Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops, the current allowable stop number that is the allowable stop number of the fuel cell is generated from the current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell at the present time. Computing means for
A determination unit that determines the current allowable stop count as a reference stop count, and determines that the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count as an abnormal stop count,
Output means for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit ;
Start restriction means for restricting restart of the fuel cell when the stop number abnormality is determined,
The start restriction means is that the restart of the fuel cell is prohibited until a predetermined reset operation is performed after the stop number abnormality is determined.

Moreover, the characteristic configuration of the control method of the fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving this object is as follows:
A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; and a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system performs operation control of the fuel cell. What control methods der,
A measuring process of measuring an accumulated number of stops of the current pre-Symbol fuel cell as the current accumulated number of stops,
Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops shown in the form of increasing the allowable number of stops that is the allowable upper limit value of the cumulative number of stops as the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases, A calculation process for generating a current allowable stop count that is the allowable stop count at the present time from a current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operating time of the fuel cell;
A determination process in which the current allowable stop count is set as a reference stop count, and a state in which the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count is determined as an abnormal stop count;
A process of limiting restart of the fuel cell when the abnormality in the number of stops is determined;
A process for prohibiting restart of the fuel cell until a predetermined reset operation is performed after the abnormality in the number of stops is determined;
And an output process for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit.

According to the fuel cell system and its control how, the current allowable number of stops may be generated based on the relationship shown in the form of increasing the allowable number of stops as the accumulated operation time increases, is the measurement If the current cumulative number of stops exceeds the current allowable number of stops, the status is determined as an abnormal number of stops, and information such as an alarm that can recognize this is displayed on the display unit. Will be output. In other words, when the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the current allowable stop count, the fuel cell cumulative operating time reaches the preset useful cumulative operating time according to the information output on the display unit. Before the end of the life, it is recognized as an abnormal number of stop times that the cumulative stop count has reached the preset allowable permissible stop count and the life may be exhausted can do. Therefore, the user can be alerted to avoid frequent start / stop, and the maintenance can be recommended to eliminate the cause. You can plan.
In the event that the number of stops is abnormal due to frequent start / stop caused by the convenience of the user, the restart of the fuel cell is restricted, so that the subsequent start is avoided in order to avoid inconvenience due to the restriction of the restart • Motivate users to reduce the frequency of outages.
In addition, if abnormal number of stops is determined due to frequent start / stop caused by reasons other than the user's convenience, the system may be damaged, etc., and the expansion of damage due to restart is suppressed. Then, it can be motivated to restart after performing maintenance.

Further, the characteristic configuration of the fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving this object is as follows:
A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a display unit that displays an operation state of the fuel cell; and a control unit that performs operation control of the fuel cell. Because
The control unit is
Measuring means for measuring the current cumulative number of stops of the fuel cell as the current cumulative number of stops;
As the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases until it reaches a predetermined useful cumulative operation time, an allowable upper limit value of the cumulative stop count is gradually increased to a predetermined allowable allowable stop count. Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops, the current allowable stop number that is the allowable stop number of the fuel cell is generated from the current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell at the present time. Computing means for
A determination unit that determines the current allowable stop count as a reference stop count, and determines that the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count as an abnormal stop count,
Output means for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit;
The calculation means generates a temporary allowable stop number obtained by adding a certain reference margin to the current cumulative stop number when the stop number abnormality is determined,
The determination means is that the reference stop number is replaced with the temporary allowable stop number until the current allowable stop number exceeds the temporary allowable stop number .

  Moreover, the characteristic configuration of the control method of the fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving this object is as follows:
  A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; and a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system performs operation control of the fuel cell. Control method,
  A measurement process for measuring the current cumulative stop count of the fuel cell as the current cumulative stop count;
  Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops shown in the form of increasing the allowable number of stops that is the allowable upper limit value of the cumulative number of stops as the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases, A calculation process for generating a current allowable stop count that is the allowable stop count at the present time from a current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operating time of the fuel cell;
  A determination process in which the current allowable stop count is set as a reference stop count, and a state in which the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count is determined as an abnormal stop count;
  Including an output process for outputting information that can be recognized that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit,
  In the arithmetic processing, generating a temporary allowable stop number obtained by adding a certain reference margin to the current cumulative stop number when the stop number abnormality is determined,
  In the determination process, until the current allowable stop count exceeds the temporary allowable stop count, the reference stop count is replaced with the temporary allowable stop count.

  According to the fuel cell system and the control method thereof, the current allowable stop count is generated based on the relationship shown in the form of increasing the allowable stop count as the cumulative operation time increases, and is measured. If the current cumulative number of stops exceeds the current allowable number of stops, the status is determined as an abnormal number of stops, and information such as an alarm that can recognize this is output to the display Will be. In other words, when the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the current allowable stop count, the fuel cell cumulative operating time reaches the preset useful cumulative operating time according to the information output on the display unit. Before the end of the life, it is recognized as an abnormal number of stop times that the cumulative stop count has reached the preset allowable permissible stop count and the life may be exhausted can do. Therefore, the user can be alerted to avoid frequent start / stop, and the maintenance can be recommended to eliminate the cause. Can be planned.
  In addition, until the number of temporary allowable stops that exceeds the current cumulative number of stops (the number of times that is equal to or exceeds the current allowable number of stops generated at that time) when the stop number abnormality was determined immediately before is exceeded Therefore, the reference stop number that is the reference for determining the abnormality of the stop number is replaced with a larger temporary allowable stop number instead of the current allowable stop number. Therefore, for the stop immediately after the stop count abnormality is determined, even if the current cumulative stop count at that time is equal to or greater than the current allowable stop count, if it is less than the temporary allowable stop count, the previous stop count Since the interval from the abnormality determination is short and there is little merit in determining the abnormality in the number of stops again, an unnecessary alarm or the like can be avoided without determining the abnormality in the number of stops.

  Further features of the fuel cell system according to the present invention are as follows:
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit generates the current allowable number of stops using the following formula (1) as a relationship between the accumulated operation time and the allowable number of stops.
  Nl (t) = [(Na−N0) / Tmax] × t + N0 (1)
  Here, t is a variable of the cumulative operation time, Nl (t) is the allowable number of stops during the cumulative operation time t, Tmax is a cumulative service life that is set in advance as a value of the cumulative operation time corresponding to the service life, and Na is the service life. The allowable allowable number of stops set in advance as a value of the allowable number of stops in the cumulative operation time, and N0 is a marginal stop number set in advance as a value of the allowable number of stops during installation.

  According to the above configuration, the relationship between the cumulative operation time indicated by the mathematical formula (1) and the allowable number of stops is proportional to the cumulative operation time increasing to the durable cumulative operation time Tmax with an initial value of 0. Thus, the allowable number of stops increases from the initial number of surplus stop times N0 to the allowable allowable stop number Na.
  In other words, if the current cumulative number of stops is equal to or greater than the current allowable number of stops generated using the above relationship and information such as an alarm that can recognize the stop number abnormality is output, it is started at the same frequency as before・ Assuming repeated stoppages, the cumulative number of stoppages at the time before the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell reaches the preset cumulative operation time as the value of the cumulative operation time corresponding to the useful life (for example, 10 years) Is a situation where there is a possibility that the service life will be exhausted after reaching the preset allowable service stop count as the value of the allowable service stop count in the cumulative accumulated operation time. Can be recognized as. Furthermore, by reducing the start / stop repetition frequency at the stage where the stop count abnormality is recognized in this way, the current cumulative stop count will not exceed the current allowable stop count using the above relationship. The lifetime up to can be ensured.
  The number of marginal stops may be 0, but by setting it to a constant value of 1 or more, information such as an alarm is output when stopping immediately after installation without frequent start / stop. Can be avoided.

Schematic configuration diagram of fuel cell system Flow chart of control method in fuel cell system Explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cumulative fuel operation time and the cumulative number of stops

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 of the present embodiment includes a solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”) 12, a display unit 21 that displays the operating state of the SOFC 10, and the operation of the SOFC 10. And a control unit 30 that performs control. Such a fuel cell system 100 is provided in a facility such as a general household, supplies power generated by the SOFC to the power load in the facility, and uses hot water generated during the power generation to supply hot water. It can comprise as a cogeneration system which performs etc.

The SOFC 12 is installed as a fuel cell unit 10 together with the reformer 11, although a detailed description is omitted because a known one is adopted. The reformer 11 steam-reforms a hydrocarbon-based raw fuel gas such as city gas supplied from the outside to generate a hydrogen-containing gas mainly containing hydrogen gas, and supplies the hydrogen-containing gas to the SOFC 12 To do. The SOFC 12 generates power by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen-containing gas and air (oxygen-containing gas), and supplies the generated power to the power load.
The operation of the reformer 11 and the SOFC 12 in the fuel cell unit 10 is controlled by a control unit 30 which will be described later, and is a so-called main operation mode in which the generated power of the SOFC 12 is determined based on the power load. It is operated continuously.

  The display unit 21 includes a liquid crystal display provided in a remote control 20 installed indoors. In addition to the display unit 21, the remote control 20 starts and stops the fuel cell unit 10 and other operating conditions. An operation unit 22 is provided for performing various settings such as. In the present embodiment, a process in which the operation unit 22 is operated by the user's intention to stop the fuel cell unit 10 is referred to as a normal stop process. In addition, the cumulative number of times of performing this normal stop process is referred to as the cumulative stop number.

  The control unit 30 is configured by a microcomputer including a storage medium including a memory, a CPU, an input / output unit, and the like, and when the computer executes a predetermined program, the measurement unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the determination described later. It functions as various means such as the means 33, the output means 34, the activation restricting means 35, etc., and by executing a control method including each process executed by each of these means, it is frequently activated and activated for the convenience of the user. Even when a stop is about to be made, it is possible to ensure a life up to the useful life. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of each unit that the control unit 30 functions and the control method executed thereon will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 as well.

The following explanation and various symbols shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are defined as follows.
t: Variable of cumulative operation time of fuel cell unit 10 (integrated value of operation time from installation) Nt (t): Actual cumulative stop count during cumulative operation time t of fuel cell unit Nl (t): Fuel cell Allowable number of stop times, which is an allowable upper limit value of the number of cumulative stops during the cumulative operation time t of the unit 10 T: Cumulative operation time of the fuel cell unit 10 at the present time (hereinafter referred to as “current cumulative operation time T”)
T1, T2: Cumulative operation time at a specific time point Tmax: Pre-set value as cumulative operation time corresponding to the service life of the fuel cell unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as “lifetime cumulative operation time Tmax”)
Na: a value set in advance as the allowable number of times of stop in the cumulative accumulated operation time Tmax of the fuel cell unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as “the allowable allowable number of stops Na”)
N0: a value set in advance as the allowable number of stops at the time of installation of the fuel cell unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as “allowable stop number N0”)
A: A value set in advance as the increment of the cumulative stop count (hereinafter referred to as “reference margin A”)
B: A value set in advance as a reduction width of the cumulative number of stops (hereinafter referred to as “life allowance width B”)
Nmax: a value set in advance as the maximum cumulative number of stops that is predicted to end the life of the fuel cell unit 10 when the fuel cell unit 10 is repeatedly started and stopped (hereinafter referred to as “maximum allowable number of stops Nmax”) )
X: a value used as a reference when determining an abnormal number of stops to be described later (hereinafter referred to as “reference stop count X”)
Nb: The value of the cumulative number of stops that is replaced as appropriate as the reference number of stops X when determining an abnormality in the number of stops described later (hereinafter referred to as “temporary allowable stop count Nb”) instead of the allowable stop count Nl (t).

The measuring means 31 that the control unit 30 functions is configured as a means for executing a so-called measurement process that measures the actual accumulated stop count of the fuel cell unit 10 during the current accumulated operation time T as the current accumulated stop count Nt (T). Has been.
Specifically, when the control unit 30 recognizes that the stop button of the operation unit 22 of the remote controller 20 is pressed while the fuel cell unit 10 is in operation, the control unit 30 performs a predetermined stop operation on the fuel cell unit 10. In the form of performing normal stop processing for transmitting a predetermined stop signal for stopping by performing (step # 01 in FIG. 2) and integrating the operation time from the installation of the fuel cell unit 10 to the present time, The current cumulative operation time T, which is the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell unit 10 at the present time, is acquired (step # 02 in FIG. 2).
Then, each time the normal stop process is executed as described above, the measuring means 31 adds 1 to the cumulative stop count Nt (T ′) in the cumulative operation time T ′ in which the previous stop process was executed. The current cumulative stop count Nt (T) in the current cumulative operation time T is measured (step # 03 in FIG. 2).

Next, the calculation means 32 in which the control unit 30 functions is based on the relationship between the predetermined cumulative operation time t and the allowable stop count Nl (t), and the current allowable stop count that is the current allowable stop count from the current cumulative operation time T. It is comprised as a means to perform the arithmetic processing which produces | generates the frequency | count Nl (T) of a stop.
Specifically, the relationship between the predetermined cumulative operation time t and the allowable stop count Nl (t) is that the allowable stop count Nl (t) increases as the cumulative operation time t of the fuel cell unit 10 reaches the durable cumulative operation time Tmax. ) Is set in advance as a form that is gradually increased to a predetermined allowable allowable stop count Na, and is specifically expressed by the following formula (1).
In the present embodiment, the durable cumulative operating time Tmax is set to 10 years, and the allowable allowable stop count Na is set as a value that takes into consideration the degree of progress of deterioration of the cell, the reforming catalyst, etc. with respect to the start / stop count. For example, when the fuel cell unit 10 is repeatedly started and stopped, the maximum allowable number of stop times Nmax (for example, several hundred times) that is predicted to end the life of the fuel cell unit 10 is used. It is set as a value obtained by subtracting B.

[Equation 1]
Nl (t) = [(Na−N0) / Tmax] × t + N0 (1)

That is, the relationship between the cumulative operation time t expressed by the mathematical formula (1) and the allowable stop count Nl (t) is that the cumulative operation time t increases to the durable cumulative operation time Tmax with an initial value of 0. The allowable stop number Nl (t) increases in proportion to the initial allowable stop number N0 to the allowable allowable stop number Na.
Then, the calculation means 32 substitutes the current cumulative operation time T for the cumulative operation time t in the formula (1) to calculate the current allowable stop number Nl (T), and the current allowable stop number Nl ( T) is generated (step # 04 in FIG. 2).

Next, the determination unit 33 in which the control unit 30 functions determines that the current allowable stop count Nl (T) is the reference stop count X and the current cumulative stop count Nt (T) is equal to or greater than the reference stop count X. Further, the output means 34 that functions as a determination process is determined, and the controller 30 functions when the stop number abnormality is determined by the determination means 33. It is comprised as a means to perform the output process which outputs the warning as information which can recognize this to the display part 21. FIG.
Specifically, in principle, the determination means 33 uses the current allowable stop count Nl (T) as the reference stop count X, but exceptionally, the current allowable stop count Nl (T) is a temporary allowable stop count described later. If it is less than Nb, the reference stop count X is set in such a manner that the reference stop count X is replaced with the temporary allowable stop count Nb. In other words, the larger of the current allowable stop count Nl (T) and the temporary allowable stop count Nb is set to the reference stop count X (step # 05 in FIG. 2).

Then, in a situation where the current cumulative stop count Nt (T) is equal to or greater than the reference stop count X set as the current allowable stop count Nl (T), for example, the cumulative operation time t of the fuel cell unit 10 is set to a preset durable service operation. It can be said that the cumulative stop frequency Nt (t) reaches the preset allowable allowable stop frequency Na at the time before reaching the time Tmax, and the life may be exhausted.
Therefore, the determination means 33 compares the current accumulated stop count Nt (T) with the reference stop count X, and determines that the current accumulated stop count Nt (T) is equal to or greater than the reference stop count X as an abnormal stop count. (Step # 06 in FIG. 2).
Further, when an abnormality in the number of stops is determined in this way, the output means 34 outputs an alarm in a form such as displaying “abnormal number of stops” or the like on the display unit 21 of the remote controller 20 for use. It is configured to alert the user to avoid frequent starting and stopping in the future, and to recommend maintenance for eliminating the cause. Further, the output means 34 is a graph as shown in FIG. 3 in place of or in addition to the alarm, that is, the current cumulative stop frequency Nt (t) and the current allowable stop frequency Nt (t). You may display the graph figure which can recognize the position of the accumulation driving time T on the display part 21 as information which can recognize that the stop frequency abnormality was determined.
In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned marginal stop number N0 in the above formula (1) is set to a value of 1 or more, for example, several tens of times, so that the stop immediately after installation is not performed frequently. Although the output of an alarm or the like is avoided, this allowance stop number N0 may be set to zero when such a problem is allowed.

Next, the start limiting means 35 in which the control unit 30 functions is an abnormal number of stops in a form that prohibits the restart of the fuel cell unit 10 until a predetermined reset operation is performed after the stop number abnormality is determined. Is determined as means for executing a start restriction process for restricting restart of the fuel cell unit 10.
Specifically, the activation restriction means 35 determines a predetermined number of times such as inputting a preset password or the like in the operation unit 22 of the remote controller 20 when the abnormality in the number of stops is determined and an alarm is output as described above. Until the reset operation is executed, the system waits in a state where the activation of the fuel cell unit 10 is prohibited (step # 08 in FIG. 2).
Then, after the reset operation is performed, the activation restriction unit 35 permits the user to restart (step # 10 in FIG. 2).

Further, when the restart is permitted by the start limiting means 35, the calculation means 32 temporarily adds a certain reference margin A to the current accumulated stop count Nt (T) when the stop count abnormality is determined. An allowable stop count Nb is generated (step # 09 in FIG. 2).
Then, as described above, the determination unit 33 determines whether the reference allowable stop number Nl (T) exceeds the temporary allowable stop number Nb (between the cumulative operation time T1 and the cumulative operation time T2 in FIG. 3). The stop count X is replaced with the temporary allowable stop count Nb (step # 05 in FIG. 2).
That is, when the fuel cell unit 10 is stopped immediately after the stop number abnormality is determined, even if the current cumulative stop number Nt (T) at that time is equal to or greater than the current allowable stop number Nl (T). If it is less than the temporary allowable stop count Nb, the stop count error is not determined as the interval from the previous stop count error determination is short and the merit of determining the stop count error again is small.

[Other Embodiments]
Finally, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of each embodiment described below is not limited to being applied independently, and can be applied in combination with the configuration of other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.
(1) In the above embodiment, the operation unit 22 is operated by the user's intention to stop the fuel cell unit 10, and the cumulative number of normal stop processes is measured as the cumulative stop number Nt (t), and the cumulative stop is performed. The number of times Nt (t) is appropriately compared with the allowable number of times of stop Nl (t) to determine whether the number of stops is abnormal. For example, the control unit 30 uses the stop due to the stop of the gas supply to the fuel cell unit 10. The cumulative number of times of performing the so-called shutdown stop process for stopping the fuel cell unit 10 against the intention of the person may be measured as the cumulative stop number, and the stop number abnormality may be determined using the cumulative stop number. In addition, when using the cumulative stop count of the shutdown stop process, since the degree of progress of deterioration of the cell, the reforming catalyst, and the like due to the shutdown stop process is large, the allowable allowable stop count Na can be set to be small. desirable. In addition, when the stop count abnormality is determined using the cumulative stop count of the shutdown stop processing, the control unit 30 automatically outputs a predetermined alarm or the like to the external service center via the network line or the like. You may comprise. Further, the determination of the stop frequency abnormality using the accumulated stop frequency of the normal stop process and the determination of the stop frequency error using the accumulated stop frequency of the shutdown stop frequency process may be executed in combination.

(2) In the above embodiment, the calculation means 32 shows a relationship between the cumulative operation time t and the allowable stop count Nl (t), in which the allowable stop count increases proportionally as the cumulative operation time increases. (1) is used to generate the current allowable stop count Nl (T) in the current cumulative operation time T. For example, as the allowable stop count increases as the cumulative operation time increases, the increase range also indicates the cumulative operation time. The current allowable number of stops may be generated using a relationship that changes with the passage of time.

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration is such that the restart of the fuel cell unit 10 is limited when the activation limiting means 35 determines that the number of stops is abnormal. However, such a limitation may be adopted. Absent.

(4) In the above embodiment, in order to avoid the determination of the abnormal number of stops when the fuel cell unit 10 immediately after the abnormal determination of the number of stops is stopped, in the determination of the abnormal number of stops by the determination means 33, the current allowable number of stops Until Nl (T) exceeds the temporary allowable stop count Nb, the reference stop count X is replaced with the temporary allowable stop count Nb. However, such replacement may not be performed.

  The present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell, and a control unit that controls the operation of the fuel cell. It can be suitably used as a fuel cell system and a control method thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Fuel cell unit 11: Reformer 21: Display part 30: Control part 31: Measuring means 32: Calculation means 33: Determination means 34: Output means 35: Starting restriction means 100: Fuel cell system

Claims (5)

A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a display unit that displays an operation state of the fuel cell; and a control unit that performs operation control of the fuel cell. Because
The control unit is
Measuring means for measuring the current cumulative number of stops of the fuel cell as the current cumulative number of stops;
As the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases until it reaches a predetermined useful cumulative operation time, an allowable upper limit value of the cumulative stop count is gradually increased to a predetermined allowable allowable stop count. Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops, the current allowable stop number that is the allowable stop number of the fuel cell is generated from the current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell at the present time. Computing means for
A determination unit that determines the current allowable stop count as a reference stop count, and determines that the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count as an abnormal stop count,
Output means for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit ;
Start restriction means for restricting restart of the fuel cell when the stop number abnormality is determined,
The start restriction unit is a fuel cell system that prohibits restart of the fuel cell until a predetermined reset operation is performed after the stop number abnormality is determined .   A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; a display unit that displays an operation state of the fuel cell; and a control unit that performs operation control of the fuel cell. Because
  The control unit is
  Measuring means for measuring the current cumulative number of stops of the fuel cell as the current cumulative number of stops;
  As the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases until it reaches a predetermined useful cumulative operation time, an allowable upper limit value of the cumulative stop count is gradually increased to a predetermined allowable allowable stop count. Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops, the current allowable stop number that is the allowable stop number of the fuel cell is generated from the current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell at the present time. Computing means for
  A determination unit that determines the current allowable stop count as a reference stop count, and determines that the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count as an abnormal stop count,
  Output means for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit;
  The calculation means generates a temporary allowable stop number obtained by adding a certain reference margin to the current cumulative stop number when the stop number abnormality is determined,
  The determination means replaces the reference stop number with the temporary allowable stop number until the current allowable stop number exceeds the temporary allowable stop number. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit generates the current allowable stop count using the following formula (1) as a relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable stop count.
Nl (t) = [(Na−N0) / Tmax] × t + N0 (1)
Here, t is a variable of the cumulative operation time, Nl (t) is the allowable number of stops during the cumulative operation time t, Tmax is a cumulative service life that is set in advance as a value of the cumulative operation time corresponding to the service life, and Na is the service life. The allowable allowable number of stops set in advance as the value of the allowable number of stops in the cumulative operation time, and N0 is the number of surplus stops set in advance as the value of the allowable number of stops during installation. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; and a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system performs operation control of the fuel cell. Control method,
A measurement process for measuring the current cumulative stop count of the fuel cell as the current cumulative stop count;
Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops shown in the form of increasing the allowable number of stops that is the allowable upper limit value of the cumulative number of stops as the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases, A calculation process for generating a current allowable stop count that is the allowable stop count at the present time from a current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operating time of the fuel cell;
A determination process in which the current allowable stop count is set as a reference stop count, and a state in which the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count is determined as an abnormal stop count;
A process of limiting restart of the fuel cell when the abnormality in the number of stops is determined;
A process for prohibiting restart of the fuel cell until a predetermined reset operation is performed after the abnormality in the number of stops is determined;
A control method for a fuel cell system, comprising: an output process for outputting information capable of recognizing that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit.   A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas; and a display unit that displays an operating state of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system performs operation control of the fuel cell. Control method,
  A measurement process for measuring the current cumulative stop count of the fuel cell as the current cumulative stop count;
  Based on the relationship between the cumulative operation time and the allowable number of stops shown in the form of increasing the allowable number of stops that is the allowable upper limit value of the cumulative number of stops as the cumulative operation time of the fuel cell increases, A calculation process for generating a current allowable stop count that is the allowable stop count at the present time from a current cumulative operation time that is the cumulative operating time of the fuel cell;
  A determination process in which the current allowable stop count is set as a reference stop count, and a state in which the current cumulative stop count is equal to or greater than the reference stop count is determined as an abnormal stop count;
  Including an output process for outputting information that can be recognized that the abnormality in the number of stops is determined to the display unit,
  In the arithmetic processing, generating a temporary allowable stop number obtained by adding a certain reference margin to the current cumulative stop number when the stop number abnormality is determined,
  In the determination process, the control method of the fuel cell system, wherein the reference stop frequency is replaced with the temporary allowable stop frequency until the current allowable stop frequency exceeds the temporary allowable stop frequency.

Images