JP6216817B2 - Fuel cell system and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply path that leads the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and an oxidant gas supply path that leads the oxidant gas to the fuel cell. The present invention relates to a fuel cell system provided and an operation method thereof.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a fuel cell system in which a plurality of injectors that supply fuel gas to a fuel cell are provided in parallel with a fuel gas supply path. In this fuel cell system, the operation amount (opening or valve opening time, etc.) of each injector is set according to the generated current or the like.

JP 2014-107057 A

  In the fuel cell system described above, it is desired that the supply of fuel gas to the fuel cell can be continued promptly by simple control even when the injector (valve device) fails.

  The present invention has been made in connection with the above-mentioned proposal, and can continue the supply of fuel gas to the fuel cell quickly by simple control when the valve device fails, improving the convenience for the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system that can be operated and an operation method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply path that guides the fuel gas to the fuel cell, An oxidant gas supply path that guides the oxidant gas to the fuel cell; a plurality of valve devices that are provided in parallel to the fuel gas supply path and capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas guided to the fuel cell; A fuel gas supply control unit that controls the valve device; and a failure detection unit that detects a failure of the valve device. The fuel gas supply control unit detects a failure of the valve device by the failure detection unit. In this case, the valve devices are controlled to open with the same amount of operation.

  According to the fuel cell system of the present invention that employs the above-described configuration, when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detector, each valve device is controlled to open with the same amount of operation. In addition, the supply of fuel gas to the fuel cell can be continued. Thereby, since the stop of the operation of the fuel cell system due to insufficient supply of the fuel gas can be suppressed, user convenience can be improved.

  In the fuel cell system described above, a circulation passage for guiding the fuel exhaust gas, which is the used fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell, to the fuel gas supply passage, and a circulation pump for feeding the fuel exhaust gas to the fuel gas supply passage The fuel gas supply control unit may drive the circulation pump when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit.

  According to such a configuration, the fuel gas can be efficiently guided to the fuel cell by the action of the circulation pump, so that water on the anode side of the fuel cell can be efficiently discharged from the fuel cell. Thereby, since it can suppress that water accumulates in the anode side of a fuel cell, electric power generation can be continued favorably.

  In the fuel cell system, the fuel gas supply control unit may increase the output of the circulation pump as the output current of the fuel cell increases when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit. Good.

  According to such a configuration, even when the output current of the fuel cell is relatively large and the amount of water on the anode side of the fuel cell is expected to increase, the output of the circulation pump is increased. It is possible to efficiently prevent water from collecting on the side.

  In the fuel cell system, the plurality of valve devices include a first valve device and a second valve device, and the fuel gas supply path includes a first flow path in which the first valve device is provided; A second valve device provided on the downstream side of the first valve device in the first flow channel, the first flow channel on the downstream side of the first valve device, An ejector that mixes the fuel exhaust gas into the first flow path is provided between the connection portion of the second flow path and the first valve device, and is based on a physical quantity related to power consumption of the circulation pump. You may further provide the failure determination part which determines which of the said 1st valve apparatus and the said 2nd valve apparatus is out of order.

  According to such a configuration, when the second valve device fails, the power consumption of the circulation pump is larger than when the first valve device fails. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a failure detection function for each valve device. The valve device can be easily determined.

  In the fuel cell system, the fuel gas supply control unit may stop driving the circulation pump when the failure determination unit determines that the second valve device has failed.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce power consumption by stopping the driving of the circulation pump while circulating the fuel exhaust gas to the fuel cell by the first valve device and the ejector.

  The fuel cell system includes a control unit that controls the amount of power generated by the fuel cell based on power required by a load, and the control unit detects a failure of the valve device by the failure detection unit. In addition, the power generation amount of the fuel cell may be limited.

  According to such a configuration, the anode stoichiometric shortage (fuel gas shortage) can be suppressed, so that deterioration of the fuel cell can be suppressed.

  In the fuel cell system, the valve device may be an injector.

  According to such a configuration, the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell can be easily controlled.

  An operation method of a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply path that guides the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and An oxidant gas supply path for guiding an oxidant gas, and a plurality of valve devices provided in parallel to the fuel gas supply path and capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas guided to the fuel cell. A failure detection step for detecting a failure of the valve device, and a valve that controls the valve devices to open with an equal operation amount when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step. And a control step.

  According to such an operation method of the fuel cell system, the same operational effects as those of the fuel cell system described above can be obtained. The same applies to the operation method of the fuel cell system described below.

  In the operation method of the fuel cell system, when the failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step, the fuel that is the used fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell by driving a circulation pump You may perform the pump drive process which sends waste gas to the said fuel gas supply path.

  In the operation method of the fuel cell system, in the pump driving step, the output of the circulation pump may be increased as the output current of the fuel cell is increased.

  In the operation method of the fuel cell system, the plurality of valve devices include a first valve device and a second valve device, and the fuel gas supply path is a first flow path in which the first valve device is provided. And a second flow path provided with the second valve device and connected to the downstream side of the first valve device in the first flow path, and the first flow rate downstream of the first valve device. An ejector for mixing the fuel exhaust gas into the first flow path is provided between the flow path and the connection portion of the second flow path and the first valve device, and the circulation is performed after the pump driving step. You may perform the failure determination process of determining which of the said 1st valve apparatus and the said 2nd valve apparatus has failed based on the physical quantity relevant to the power consumption of a pump.

  In the operation method of the fuel cell system described above, a pump stop step of stopping driving of the circulation pump may be performed when it is determined by the failure determination step that the second valve device has failed.

  In the above fuel cell system operation method, a power generation amount limiting step of limiting a power generation amount of the fuel cell may be performed when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step.

  According to the present invention, when the failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit, the valve devices are controlled to open with the same amount of operation when the failure of the valve device is detected. As a result, the supply of the fuel gas to the fuel cell can be continued quickly, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operating method of a fuel cell system. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of the said operating method.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fuel cell system and the operation method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (not shown) such as a fuel cell electric vehicle.

  The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack (fuel cell) 12. The fuel cell stack 12 is supplied with a fuel gas supply device 14 for supplying hydrogen gas, for example, hydrogen gas, an oxidant gas supply device 16 for supplying air, for example, an oxidant gas, and a cooling medium. A cooling medium supply device 18 is provided. The fuel cell system 10 further includes a battery 20 that is an energy storage device and a control unit 22 that is a system control device.

  In the fuel cell stack 12, a plurality of power generation cells 24 are stacked in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. In the power generation cell 24, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26 is sandwiched between the first separator 28 and the second separator 30. The first separator 28 and the second separator 30 are constituted by a metal separator or a carbon separator.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 32 that is a thin film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing moisture, and an anode electrode 34 and a cathode electrode 36 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 32. Is provided. As the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 32, an HC (hydrocarbon) electrolyte is used in addition to the fluorine electrolyte.

  The first separator 28 is provided with a hydrogen gas flow path (fuel gas flow path) 38 for introducing hydrogen gas to the anode electrode 34 between the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26. The second separator 30 is provided with an air flow path 40 for supplying air to the cathode electrode 36 between the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26. Between the first separator 28 and the second separator 30 adjacent to each other, a cooling medium flow path 42 is provided for circulating the cooling medium.

  The fuel cell stack 12 is provided with a hydrogen gas inlet 44a, a hydrogen gas outlet 44b, an air inlet 46a, an air outlet 46b, a cooling medium inlet 48a, and a cooling medium outlet 48b. The hydrogen gas inlet 44 a penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the supply side of the hydrogen gas flow path 38. The hydrogen gas outlet 44 b penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the discharge side of the hydrogen gas flow path 38. The hydrogen gas channel 38, the hydrogen gas inlet 44a, and the hydrogen gas outlet 44b constitute an anode channel.

  The air inlet 46 a penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the supply side of the air flow path 40. The air outlet 46 b penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the discharge side of the air flow path 40. The air flow path 40, the air inlet 46a and the air outlet 46b constitute a cathode flow path.

  The cooling medium inlet 48 a penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the supply side of the cooling medium flow path 42. The cooling medium outlet 48 b penetrates in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 24 and communicates with the discharge side of the cooling medium flow path 42.

  The fuel gas supply device 14 includes a hydrogen tank 50 that stores high-pressure hydrogen. The hydrogen tank 50 communicates with a hydrogen gas inlet 44 a of the fuel cell stack 12 via a hydrogen gas supply path (fuel gas supply path) 52. . The hydrogen gas supply path 52 supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 12.

  The hydrogen gas supply path 52 includes a main supply path (first flow path) 58a in which an injector 54 and an ejector 56 are provided in series, and a bypass supply path (second flow path) provided across the injector 54 and the ejector 56. Road) 58b.

  The injector 54 is a first valve device having an electromagnetic valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the main supply path 58a. The ejector 56 sucks hydrogen exhaust gas (fuel exhaust gas) in a hydrogen circulation passage 66 (to be described later) using the hydrogen gas introduced from the injector 54, mixes with the hydrogen gas, and discharges it downstream.

  The bypass supply path 58b is connected downstream of the ejector 56 in the main supply path 58a. A BP (bypass) injector 60 is provided in the bypass supply path 58b. That is, the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 are provided in parallel. The BP injector 60 is a second valve device having an electromagnetic valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass supply path 58b. The BP injector 60 is a sub-injector used for supplying high-concentration hydrogen when the fuel cell stack 12 is started or when high load power generation is required, while the injector 54 is used during normal power generation. It is a main injector used mainly.

  A hydrogen gas discharge path (off-gas pipe) 62 communicates with the hydrogen gas outlet 44 b of the fuel cell stack 12. The hydrogen gas discharge path 62 leads out hydrogen exhaust gas, which is hydrogen gas at least partially used in the anode electrode 34, from the fuel cell stack 12. A gas-liquid separator 64 is connected to the hydrogen gas discharge path 62, and an ejector 56 is connected via a hydrogen circulation channel (circulation channel) 66 branched from the downstream side of the gas-liquid separator 64. The hydrogen circulation channel 66 is provided with a hydrogen pump (circulation pump) 68. The hydrogen pump 68 circulates the hydrogen exhaust gas discharged to the hydrogen gas discharge passage 62 through the hydrogen circulation passage 66 to the hydrogen gas supply passage 52 particularly at the time of starting.

  One end of the purge flow path 70 communicates with the downstream of the hydrogen gas discharge path 62, and a purge valve 72 is provided in the middle of the purge flow path 70. One end of a drainage channel 74 for discharging a fluid mainly containing a liquid component is connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 64. A drain valve 76 is disposed along the drainage flow path 74. In order to detect the hydrogen gas pressure in the anode flow path, the fuel gas supply device 14 includes, for example, a pressure sensor 78 located in the vicinity of the hydrogen gas inlet 44 a in the hydrogen gas supply path 52, and the detection of the pressure sensor 78. A signal is sent to the control unit 22.

  The oxidant gas supply device 16 includes an air supply path (oxidant gas supply path) 80 that communicates with the air inlet 46 a of the fuel cell stack 12 and an air discharge path 82 that communicates with the air outlet 46 b of the fuel cell stack 12. . An air pump 84 that compresses and supplies air from the atmosphere is disposed in the air supply path 80. The air supply path 80 introduces air into the fuel cell stack 12, and the air discharge path 82 discharges exhaust air that is at least partly used by the cathode electrode 36 from the fuel cell stack 12.

  The cooling medium supply device 18 includes a cooling medium supply path 86 connected to the cooling medium inlet 48 a of the fuel cell stack 12, and a water pump 88 is disposed along the cooling medium supply path 86. The cooling medium supply path 86 is connected to the radiator 90, and the radiator 90 is connected to a cooling medium discharge path 92 that communicates with the cooling medium outlet 48b.

  The control unit 22 controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 based on the power required by the load. Examples of the load include a traveling motor and a hydrogen pump 68 that are not shown. The load may include an air pump 84 and a water pump 88. A detection signal of a current sensor (not shown) that detects the output current of the fuel cell stack 12 is sent to the control unit 22.

  The control unit 22 includes an operation amount setting unit 96, a hydrogen gas supply control unit (fuel gas supply control unit) 98, a failure detection unit 100, a provisional operation amount calculation unit 102, and a failure determination unit 104.

  The operation amount setting unit 96 sets the operation amount of the injector 54 and the operation amount of the BP injector 60. Here, the operation amount of the injector 54 includes both the opening degree and the valve opening time of the injector 54. However, the operation amount of the injector 54 may be one of the opening degree and the valve opening time of the injector 54. The operation amount of the BP injector 60 includes both the opening degree and the valve opening time of the BP injector 60. However, the operation amount of the BP injector 60 may be one of the opening degree and the valve opening time of the BP injector 60.

  The operation amount setting unit 96 sets the operation amount of the injector 54 and the operation amount of the BP injector 60 such that the target supply amount of hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 12. The target supply amount is the supply amount of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 12 necessary for obtaining the target power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12.

  The hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 controls the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 based on the operation amount set by the operation amount setting unit 96. Further, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 controls the hydrogen pump 68.

  The failure detection unit 100 detects a failure of the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 78. This failure detection unit 100 detects that either one of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 has failed, and does not specify which one of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 has failed.

  Specifically, the failure detection unit 100 determines whether the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 is in a case where the pressure difference between the hydrogen gas pressure (detected hydrogen pressure) detected by the pressure sensor 78 and the target hydrogen pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Determine that there is a failure. That is, for example, when the detected hydrogen pressure is lower than the target hydrogen pressure by a predetermined value or more, it can be seen that the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 is closed. Here, the closed failure means a failure that does not open even when a valve opening signal is received from the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98.

  The provisional operation amount calculation unit 102 calculates a provisional operation amount when the failure detection unit 100 detects a failure of the injector 54 or the BP injector 60. The provisional operation amount is an operation amount of the injector 54 corresponding to the target supply amount of hydrogen gas when the BP injector 60 is closed (only the injector 54 is opened). However, the provisional operation amount may be the operation amount of the BP injector 60 corresponding to the target supply amount of hydrogen gas when the injector 54 is closed (only the BP injector 60 is opened).

  The failure determination unit 104 determines which of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 has failed based on the power consumption (load) of the hydrogen pump 68. For example, when the BP injector 60 is closed and the injector 54 is normal, the hydrogen exhaust gas is circulated by the action of the hydrogen gas introduced from the injector 54 to the ejector 56, so the power consumption of the hydrogen pump 68 is relatively small. Become. Therefore, in this case, failure determination unit 104 determines that BP injector 60 has a closed failure.

  On the other hand, when the BP injector 60 is normal and the injector 54 is closed, the hydrogen gas is not led from the injector 54 to the ejector 56 and the hydrogen exhaust gas is not circulated by the ejector 56, so the load on the hydrogen pump 68 is relatively large. Become. Therefore, in this case, the failure determination unit 104 determines that the injector 54 has a closed failure. However, the failure determination unit 104 determines the injector 54 based on a physical quantity related to the power consumption of the hydrogen pump 68 (for example, the rotational speed of the hydrogen pump 68 or the current value sent from the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 to the hydrogen pump 68). It may also be determined which of the BP injector 60 is malfunctioning.

  The operation of the fuel cell system 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  In the fuel gas supply device 14, hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen tank 50 to the hydrogen gas supply path 52. At this time, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 operates (valve opening control) at least one of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 based on the operation amount set by the operation amount setting unit 96. For example, when each of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 is controlled to open, the hydrogen gas branches into the main supply path 58a and the bypass supply path 58b.

  The hydrogen gas guided to the main supply path 58 a is supplied to the hydrogen gas inlet 44 a of the fuel cell stack 12 through the injector 54 and the ejector 56. On the other hand, the hydrogen gas guided to the bypass supply path 58b passes through the BP injector 60, joins the downstream side of the ejector 56 in the main supply path 58a, and is supplied to the hydrogen gas inlet 44a of the fuel cell stack 12. The hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen gas inlet 44 a is introduced into the hydrogen gas flow path 38 and is moved along the hydrogen gas flow path 38 to be supplied to the anode electrode 34 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26.

  In the oxidant gas supply device 16, air is sent to the air supply path 80 under the rotating action of the air pump 84. This air is supplied to the air inlet 46 a of the fuel cell stack 12. Air is introduced into the air flow path 40 from the air inlet 46 a, and is supplied to the cathode electrode 36 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26 by moving along the air flow path 40.

  Accordingly, in each electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26, hydrogen gas supplied to the anode electrode 34 and oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode electrode 36 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Is done.

  In the cooling medium supply device 18, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied from the cooling medium supply path 86 to the cooling medium inlet 48 a of the fuel cell stack 12 under the action of the water pump 88. The cooling medium flows along the cooling medium flow path 42, cools the power generation cell 24, and then is discharged from the cooling medium outlet 48 b to the cooling medium discharge path 92.

  Next, the hydrogen gas partially consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 34 is discharged from the hydrogen gas outlet 44b to the hydrogen gas discharge path 62 as hydrogen exhaust gas. The hydrogen exhaust gas is introduced from the hydrogen gas discharge path 62 to the hydrogen circulation path 66 and circulated to the hydrogen gas supply path 52 under the suction action of the ejector 56. The hydrogen exhaust gas discharged to the hydrogen gas discharge path 62 is discharged (purged) to the outside under the opening action of the purge valve 72 as necessary. Similarly, the air that is supplied to the cathode electrode 36 and partially consumed is discharged from the air outlet 46 b to the air discharge path 82.

  Next, an operation method of the fuel cell system 10 when the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 fails will be described below along the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 2, the failure detection unit 100 detects a failure of the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 78 (failure detection step). That is, the failure detection unit 100 compares the detected hydrogen pressure acquired by the pressure sensor 78 with the target hydrogen pressure, and if the pressure difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 has failed. judge. In step S1, the failure detection unit 100 does not specify which of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 is defective.

  Subsequently, in step S2, the temporary operation amount calculation unit 102 calculates a temporary operation amount based on the target supply amount of hydrogen gas. Specifically, the provisional operation amount calculation unit 102 tentatively operates the operation amount of the injector 54 corresponding to the target supply amount of hydrogen gas when the BP injector 60 is closed (only the injector 54 is opened), for example. Calculate as a quantity.

  In step S3, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 controls the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 so that the operation amount of the injector 54 and the operation amount of the BP injector 60 become the temporary operation amounts (valve control step). ). That is, the operation amount of the injector 54 and the operation amount of the BP injector 60 are equal to each other (provisional operation amount).

  Thus, the target supply amount of hydrogen gas can be supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 without specifying which of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 is malfunctioning. That is, even if the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 is out of order, the supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 12 can be continued quickly by simple control. Therefore, since the operation stop of the fuel cell system 10 due to insufficient supply of hydrogen gas can be suppressed, user convenience can be improved.

  Next, in step S4, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 drives the hydrogen pump 68 (pump driving process). Then, the hydrogen pump 68 forcibly circulates the hydrogen exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 to the main supply path 58 a via the hydrogen circulation path 66.

  As a result, water (anode-side water) guided to the hydrogen gas flow path 38 in the generated water of the fuel cell stack 12 by the action of the hydrogen pump 68 can be efficiently discharged to the hydrogen gas discharge path 62. Therefore, water can be prevented from collecting in the hydrogen gas flow path 38 (anode side) of the fuel cell stack 12, and power generation can be continued satisfactorily.

  In step S4, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 increases the rotation speed (output) of the hydrogen pump 68 as the output current of the fuel cell stack 12 (power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12) increases.

  As a result, even when the output current of the fuel cell stack 12 is relatively large and the amount of water in the hydrogen gas passage 38 is expected to increase, the output of the hydrogen pump 68 is increased. Can be efficiently suppressed.

  In step S5, the control unit 22 limits the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 by setting an upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 (power generation amount limiting step). Specifically, the control unit 22 sets the maximum power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 in a state where the injector 54 is closed (fully closed) and the BP injector 60 is fully opened (opened at the maximum opening). The power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 is limited so that

  As a result, the anode stoichiometric shortage (hydrogen gas shortage) can be suppressed, so that deterioration of the fuel cell stack 12 can be suppressed. However, the control unit 22 generates the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 so that the maximum power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12 becomes the upper limit value when the BP injector 60 is closed (fully closed) and the injector 54 is fully open. May be restricted.

  After the process of step S5, the flowchart according to the present embodiment ends. In the above flowchart, step S5 may be performed before step S4.

  The operation method of the fuel cell system 10 when the injector 54 or the BP injector 60 fails is not limited to the above-described form. For example, you may drive | operate along the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 3 are the same as steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 2 described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step S6 of FIG. 3, the failure determination unit 104 determines which of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 has failed based on the power consumption of the hydrogen pump 68 (failure determination step).

  Specifically, the failure determination unit 104 determines that the BP injector 60 has failed when, for example, the power consumption of the hydrogen pump 68 relative to the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 is relatively small (smaller than a reference value). It is determined that a (closed fault) has occurred. On the other hand, when the power consumption of the hydrogen pump 68 relative to the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 is relatively large (greater than the reference value), the failure determination unit 104 fails (closed failure). It is determined that Thereby, it is possible to easily determine which of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60 is faulty without providing a failure detection function for each of the injector 54 and the BP injector 60.

  If the failure determination unit 104 determines that the BP injector 60 has failed, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 changes the operation amount of the injector 54 in step S7. Specifically, the operation amount setting unit 96 sets the operation amount of the injector 54 so that the target supply amount of hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 12. The hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 controls the injector 54 based on the operation amount set by the operation amount setting unit 96.

  In step S8, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 stops driving the hydrogen pump 68 (pump stop process). In this case, since the injector 54 is normal, the hydrogen exhaust gas can be circulated by the ejector 56. Thereby, the power consumption required for driving the hydrogen pump 68 can be reduced (the load on the fuel cell stack 12 can be reduced).

  Further, in step S <b> 9, the control unit 22 changes the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12. Specifically, in step S5 described above, when the maximum power generation amount in the state where the injector 54 is closed and the BP injector 60 is fully opened is set as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12, the BP injector The maximum power generation amount with the valve 60 closed and the injector 54 fully open is changed as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12. In step S5, when the maximum power generation amount with the BP injector 60 closed and the injector 54 fully open is set as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12, the process of step S9 is omitted. May be. After the process of step S9, the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends.

  In step S6, when the failure determination unit 104 determines that the injector 54 has failed, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 changes the operation amount of the BP injector 60 in step S10. Specifically, the operation amount setting unit 96 sets the operation amount of the BP injector 60 so that the target supply amount of hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 12. Then, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 controls the BP injector 60 based on the operation amount set by the operation amount setting unit 96.

  In step S <b> 11, the hydrogen gas supply control unit 98 continues to drive the hydrogen pump 68. In this case, since the injector 54 is out of order, the hydrogen exhaust gas cannot be circulated by the ejector 56. In this way, the fuel exhaust gas can be reliably circulated by continuing to drive the hydrogen pump 68.

  Furthermore, in step S12, the control unit 22 changes the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12. Specifically, in step S5 described above, when the maximum power generation amount in a state where the BP injector 60 is closed and the injector 54 is fully opened is set as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12, the BP injector The maximum power generation amount in a state where 60 is fully opened and the injector 54 is closed is changed as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12. In step S5, when the maximum power generation amount with the injector 54 closed and the BP injector 60 fully opened is set as the upper limit value of the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 12, the process of step S12 is omitted. May be. After the process of step S12, the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the order in which steps S7 to S9 are performed can be arbitrarily changed, and the order in which steps S10 to S12 are performed can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the fuel cell system 10, three or more injectors may be provided in parallel in the hydrogen gas supply path 52.

  The fuel cell system and the operation method thereof according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10. Fuel cell system 12. Fuel cell stack (fuel cell)
22 ... Control unit 50 ... Hydrogen tank 52 ... Hydrogen gas supply channel (fuel gas channel)
54 ... Injector (first valve device) 56 ... Ejector 58a ... Main supply path (first flow path) 58b ... Bypass supply path (second flow path)
60 ... BP injector (second valve device)
66 ... Hydrogen circulation channel (circulation channel) 68 ... Hydrogen pump (circulation pump)
78 ... Pressure sensor 96 ... Operation amount setting unit 98 ... Hydrogen gas supply control unit 100 ... Failure detection unit 102 ... Temporary operation amount calculation unit 104 ... Failure determination unit

Claims (13)

A fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas;
A fuel gas supply path for guiding the fuel gas to the fuel cell;
An oxidant gas supply path for guiding the oxidant gas to the fuel cell;
A plurality of valve devices provided in parallel to the fuel gas supply path and capable of adjusting a flow rate of the fuel gas guided to the fuel cell;
A fuel gas supply controller for controlling each of the valve devices;
A failure detection unit for detecting a failure of the valve device,
The fuel gas supply control unit performs valve opening control of the valve devices with an equal operation amount when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit;
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein
A circulation passage for guiding fuel exhaust gas, which is the fuel gas after use, discharged from the fuel cell to the fuel gas supply passage;
A circulation pump for feeding the fuel exhaust gas into the fuel gas supply path,
The fuel gas supply control unit drives the circulation pump when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit;
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein
The fuel gas supply control unit increases the output of the circulation pump as the output current of the fuel cell increases when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit;
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3,
The plurality of valve devices include a first valve device and a second valve device,
The fuel gas supply path is
A first flow path provided with the first valve device;
A second flow path provided with the second valve device and connected to a downstream side of the first valve device in the first flow path;
An ejector for mixing the fuel exhaust gas into the first flow path is provided between the first valve device and the connection portion of the first flow path and the second flow path on the downstream side of the first valve device. And
A failure determination unit that determines which of the first valve device and the second valve device is in failure based on a physical quantity related to power consumption of the circulation pump;
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein
The fuel gas supply control unit stops driving the circulation pump when the failure determination unit determines that the second valve device has failed.
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A control unit for controlling the power generation amount of the fuel cell based on the power required by the load;
The control unit limits the power generation amount of the fuel cell when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection unit,
A fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The valve device is an injector;
A fuel cell system. A fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas;
A fuel gas supply path for guiding the fuel gas to the fuel cell;
An oxidant gas supply path for guiding the oxidant gas to the fuel cell;
A plurality of valve devices provided in parallel to the fuel gas supply path and capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas guided to the fuel cell,
A failure detection step of detecting a failure of the valve device;
A valve control step of performing valve-opening control of the valve devices with an equal operation amount when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step;
A method for operating a fuel cell system. The operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 8,
A pump that, when a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step, feeds fuel exhaust gas, which is the used fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell, into the fuel gas supply path by driving a circulation pump Drive process,
A method for operating a fuel cell system. The operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 9,
In the pump driving step, the output of the circulation pump is increased as the output current of the fuel cell is increased.
A method for operating a fuel cell system. In the operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 9 or 10,
The plurality of valve devices include a first valve device and a second valve device,
The fuel gas supply path is
A first flow path provided with the first valve device;
A second flow path provided with the second valve device and connected to a downstream side of the first valve device in the first flow path;
An ejector for mixing the fuel exhaust gas into the first flow path is provided between the first valve device and the connection portion of the first flow path and the second flow path on the downstream side of the first valve apparatus. And
After the pump driving step, performing a failure determination step of determining which of the first valve device and the second valve device is failed based on a physical quantity related to power consumption of the circulation pump.
A method for operating a fuel cell system. The operation method of the fuel cell system according to claim 11,
Performing a pump stop step of stopping the driving of the circulation pump when it is determined by the failure determination step that the second valve device has failed;
A method for operating a fuel cell system. In the operating method of the fuel cell system according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
When a failure of the valve device is detected by the failure detection step, a power generation amount limiting step of limiting the power generation amount of the fuel cell is performed.
A method for operating a fuel cell system.

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