JP6618788B2 - Fuel cell device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device and a control method thereof.

  The fuel cell device that can perform the independent operation is switched to the independent operation when the commercial AC power system fails. The generated power of the fuel cell device is supplied to a load device such as a home connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal of the fuel cell device.

  The fuel cell device cannot increase the generated power suddenly and has poor load followability. For this reason, when a load device that consumes more power than the power generated by the fuel cell device during the self-sustained operation is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal of the fuel cell device, the fuel cell device is overloaded and stops. In order to prevent such a situation, in the fuel cell device, a large amount of fuel is added in advance.

  On the other hand, if the power generated by the fuel cell device is greater than the power consumption of the load equipment connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal, the fuel that is not converted into power is converted into heat, so the heat balance in the fuel cell device is reduced. It is necessary to carry out control for maintenance. As such a control method, for example, when the generated power of the fuel cell device is larger than the power consumption of the load device connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal, the fuel cell device can be operated by increasing the rotational speed of the auxiliary device of the fuel cell device. A method of self-consuming surplus power generated by a battery device has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-192006 A

  However, in the conventional method, even when the power consumption of the load device is small, fuel is always wasted because a large amount of fuel is always put in the fuel cell device.

  An object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to provide a fuel cell device and a control method thereof that can reduce waste of fuel.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell device capable of independent operation, and connects a hot module that generates power with supplied fuel and a load device. An independent operation output terminal and a control unit for controlling the flow rate of the fuel are provided, and the control unit controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is a first predetermined time before the start of the planned power outage. The control unit controls to reduce the fuel flow rate when it is determined that a load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal after a second predetermined time has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate. .

In order to solve the above problem, a control method for a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control method for controlling a fuel cell device capable of independent operation, and the fuel cell device is a load device. A self-sustained operation output terminal is provided. The control method includes a step of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and a step of controlling to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module of the fuel cell device when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. And, when a second predetermined time has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate, and determining that no load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal, controlling to reduce the fuel flow rate. Including. The predetermined condition is a first predetermined time before the start of the planned power outage.

  According to the fuel cell device and the control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce waste of fuel.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the fuel cell apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the flow volume of the fuel at the time of detecting overload abnormality. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the flow volume of a fuel at the time of reducing the flow volume of a fuel in steps when detecting an overload abnormality. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the flow volume of the fuel at the time of detecting load apparatus connection. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the flow volume of a fuel at the time of reducing the flow volume of a fuel in steps when detecting load apparatus connection. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a fuel cell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the flow volume of the fuel at the time of a planned power failure. An example of the time change of the flow rate of the fuel when the flow rate of the fuel is gradually reduced at the time of the planned power failure will be shown.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
[Configuration of fuel cell device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell device 100 is connected to the commercial AC power system 200, and when the commercial AC power system 200 fails, the fuel cell apparatus 100 switches to a self-sustained operation. Moreover, hot water is generated by the heat generated by the power generation in the fuel cell device 100, and the generated hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 300. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 300 is used, for example, for hot water supply or a bath in the home.

  Hereinafter, each function of the fuel cell device 100 according to the present invention will be described, but it should be noted that it is not intended to exclude other functions provided in the fuel cell device 100.

  The fuel cell device 100 includes a gas processing unit 101, an air processing unit 102, a reformed water processing unit 103, a control unit 104, a storage unit 105, a hot module 106, an inverter 107, an exhaust heat recovery processing unit 108, and a circulating water processing unit 109. , Has a self-sustained operation output terminal 110 and a communication unit 111.

  The gas processing unit 101 supplies a gas supplied from the outside to the hot module 106 based on the control of the control unit 104. Examples of the gas include city gas and propane gas. Kerosene can also be used instead of gas.

  The air processing unit 102 supplies air supplied from the outside to the hot module 106 based on the control of the control unit 104.

  The reforming water treatment unit 103 supplies the reforming water to the hot module 106 based on the control of the control unit 104. The reformed water is generated by heat exchange processing using a heat exchanger or the like (not shown) and supplied to the reformed water treatment unit 103.

  Here, in the fuel cell device 100, electric power is generated by the occurrence of an electrochemical reaction using gas, air, and reformed water blended at a predetermined ratio as fuel. Therefore, hereinafter, gas, air, and reformed water blended at a predetermined ratio are simply referred to as “fuel”.

  The control unit 104 controls and manages the entire fuel cell device 100, and can be configured by a processor, for example. The control unit 104 reads out and executes a program stored in the storage unit 105 to realize various functions.

  When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 104 controls the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103 so as to increase the flow rate of the fuel. Details of this function will be described later.

  The storage unit 105 stores information that is used for control of the fuel cell device 100 and a program that describes processing contents for realizing each function of the fuel cell device 100.

  The hot module 106 includes a reformer, a cell stack, and the like. The hot module 106 generates an electrochemical reaction by the fuel supplied from the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103 to generate DC power. The hot module 106 supplies the generated DC power to the inverter 107. Further, the exhaust generated with the power generation is discharged to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 108.

  The inverter 107 converts the DC power supplied from the hot module 106 into AC power, and supplies the converted AC power to the independent operation output terminal 110 during the independent operation.

  The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 108 recovers the heat of the exhaust generated with the power generation in the hot module 106. The recovered heat is heat-exchanged with the water circulated from the circulating water treatment unit 109, and then the heat-exchanged water (hot water) is stored in the hot water storage tank 300. Further, the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 108 exhausts the exhaust gas after the heat recovery to the outside of the fuel cell device 100.

  The circulating water processing unit 109 circulates the water in the hot water storage tank 300 to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 108.

  The autonomous operation output terminal 110 is a terminal to which a load device such as a home appliance is connected when the fuel cell device 100 is switched to the autonomous operation.

  The communication unit 111 communicates with a device such as a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) (not shown).

  Details of the function of the control unit 104 according to the first embodiment will be described below. The predetermined condition according to the first embodiment (condition for determining that the flow rate of fuel supplied from the control unit 104 to the hot module 106 is increased) is an overload abnormality. The overload abnormality is a state in which a load device that consumes larger power than the power generated by the fuel cell device 100 is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 and the fuel cell device 100 is in an overload operation. When this overload abnormality occurs, the fuel cell device 100 stops the operation. However, after the overload abnormality is canceled, the user who wants to use the load device may connect the load device to the autonomous operation output terminal 110 again. is assumed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 when an overload abnormality is detected.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether an overload abnormality is detected. When it is determined that the overload abnormality is detected, the control unit 104 stops the operation of the fuel cell device 100. After that, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106. For example, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to be increased to a rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103. In the following description, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 under the control of the control unit 104 is described as being increased to the rated value. However, the flow rate may be increased to a constant multiple of the normal value, or the autonomous operation may be performed. You may make it increase to the value which considered the power consumption of load apparatuses, such as a household appliance connected to the output terminal 110. FIG.

  Next, the control unit 104 sets a timer T. Thereafter, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the timer T is equal to or longer than a predetermined time Ta. The predetermined time Ta is set, for example, within a range in which the heat balance in the fuel cell device 100 can be maintained by control or the like.

  When the control unit 104 determines that the timer T is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Ta, the control unit 104 determines whether or not a load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. Note that the stop due to the overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is released by the control unit 104 before the predetermined time Ta elapses. Further, after the overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is released, the load device can be used by being connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. Therefore, when the user wants to use the load device, the load device is again connected to the autonomous operation output terminal 110 by the user.

  When it is determined that the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the control unit 104 reduces the flow rate of the fuel and controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to gradually decrease to a normal value. . Based on the control of the control unit 104, the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is gradually reduced to the normal value by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103. Note that the flow rate of the fuel may be reduced stepwise in consideration of the stability of the operating state of the fuel cell device 100.

[Operation of fuel cell device]
Hereinafter, the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether an overload abnormality is detected (step S101). When it is determined that the overload abnormality is not detected (step S101: No), the control unit 104 ends the process while keeping the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 at a normal value. On the other hand, when it is determined that the overload abnormality is detected (step S101: Yes), the control unit 104 stops the operation of the fuel cell device 100, and then proceeds to the process of step S102.

  In the process of step S102, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to be increased to a rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a temporal change in the flow rate of the fuel when an overload abnormality is detected. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the flow rate of fuel supplied to the hot module 106. In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that an overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is detected at time T1. After time T1, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to the rated value. Thereafter, based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103.

  As described above, the flow of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased when an overload abnormality is detected in the fuel cell apparatus 100 by the processing of steps S101 and S102. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, it is possible to reduce waste of fuel.

  Next, the control unit 104 sets a timer T (step S103). After that, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the timer T is equal to or longer than a predetermined time Ta (step S104). When it is determined that the timer T is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time Ta (step S104: No), the control unit 104 repeatedly performs the process of step S104. On the other hand, when the control unit 104 determines that the timer T is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Ta (step S104: Yes), the control unit 104 proceeds to the process of step S105. It should be noted that the overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is canceled by the control unit 104 before the predetermined time Ta elapses. In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is canceled at time T2. Further, after the overload abnormality of the fuel cell device 100 is released, the load device can be used by being connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. Therefore, when the user wants to use the load device, the load device is again connected to the autonomous operation output terminal 110 by the user.

  In the process of step S <b> 105, the control unit 104 determines whether or not a load device is connected to the independent operation output terminal 110. When it is determined that the load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S105: Yes), the control unit 104 ends the process while increasing the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106. To do. On the other hand, when it determines with the load apparatus not being connected to the independent operation output terminal 110 (step S105: No), the control part 104 progresses to the process of step S106.

  As described above, when it is determined by the process of step S105 (Yes) that the load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the fuel cell device 100 has a higher fuel flow rate than when an overload abnormality is detected. Operation is continued. Thereby, it is possible to connect the load device to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 again without detecting the overload abnormality again. Furthermore, since an overload abnormality is prevented from occurring again, acceleration of deterioration due to an overload abnormality of the cell stack included in the hot module 106 can be reduced.

  In the process of step S106, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to gradually decrease to the normal value by reducing the flow rate of the fuel. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is gradually reduced to the normal value by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103. In the example of FIG. 3, after the time T3, the fuel flow rate is gradually reduced to the normal value. Note that the flow rate of the fuel may be reduced stepwise in consideration of the stability of the operating state of the fuel cell device 100. FIG. 4 shows an example of a temporal change in the fuel flow rate when the fuel flow rate is reduced stepwise when an overload abnormality is detected. In FIG. 4, the same elements as those shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 by the processes of steps S105 and S106, the flow rate of the fuel increased to the rated value by the process of step S102 is gradually decreased to the normal value. Thereby, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced, and further, temperature rise of the fuel cell device 100 can be prevented.

  In the process of step S102, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is controlled to be the rated value, but may be controlled to be a constant multiple of the normal value. Further, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 may be set in consideration of power consumption of a load device such as a home appliance connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  Moreover, in the process of step S105, instead of determining whether or not a load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the control unit 104 receives a communication unit from the HEMS (“power management device” in the claims). Whether or not the load device is being used may be determined by acquiring the usage status of the load device via 111. At this time, the connection between the HEMS, the fuel cell device 100, and the load device may be compliant with various protocols such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) and Zigbee (registered trademark). At this time, whether or not the load device is being used may be determined based on an operation by the user of the remote controller corresponding to the load device.

  As described above, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment, when no overload abnormality is detected, power generation is performed with the fuel flow rate kept at a normal value, but an overload abnormality is detected. In this case, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 after the time Ta has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate, The flow rate is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waste of fuel and to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell device from rising.

(Second Embodiment)
[Configuration of fuel cell device]
Since the fuel cell device 100 according to the second embodiment can adopt the same configuration as the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The point will be mainly described.

  The predetermined condition according to the second embodiment is connection of a load device to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. Here, it is assumed that at the time of a power failure (that is, when the fuel cell device 100 is in a self-sustained operation), the user continuously uses a plurality of load devices connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 of the fuel cell device 100 one after another. Is done. In such a case, if the power consumption of the load device connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 becomes larger than the power generated by the fuel cell device 100, the fuel cell device 100 will be overloaded and stopped. . Therefore, in the second embodiment, when a load device connected to the independent operation output terminal 110 is detected, control is performed to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106. Hereinafter, this control will be described.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether or not a load device is connected to the independent operation output terminal 110. When it is determined that the load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106. For example, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to be increased to a rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103. After that, when the user wants to use a plurality of load devices, the user connects other load devices to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. In the following description, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 under the control of the control unit 104 will be described as being increased to the rated value. You may make it increase to the value which considered the power consumption of load apparatuses, such as a household appliance connected to the output terminal 110. FIG.

  Next, the control unit 104 sets a timer T. Thereafter, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the timer T is equal to or longer than a predetermined time Tb. The predetermined time Tb is set, for example, within a range in which the heat balance in the fuel cell device 100 can be maintained by control or the like.

  Thereafter, when it is determined that the timer T is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Tb, the control unit 104 determines whether another load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  When it is determined that no other load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the control unit 104 controls to reduce the flow rate of the fuel and gradually reduce the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to a normal value. To do. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is gradually reduced to the normal value by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103.

[Operation of fuel cell device]
Hereinafter, the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether or not a load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S201). When it is determined that the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S201: No), the control unit 104 performs processing while keeping the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 at a normal value. Exit. On the other hand, when it determines with the load apparatus being connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S201: Yes), the control part 104 progresses to the process of step S202.

  In the process of step S202, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to the rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103. After that, when the user wants to use a plurality of load devices, the user connects other load devices to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a change over time in the flow rate of the fuel when the load device connection is detected. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the flow rate of fuel supplied to the hot module 106. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a load device is detected connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 at time T4. After time T4, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to increase to the rated value. Thereafter, based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103. When the user wants to use a plurality of load devices, the user can connect other load devices to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 after time T4.

  As described above, when the load device connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 is detected by the processes of steps S201 and S202, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, it is possible to reduce waste of fuel.

  Next, the control unit 104 performs the processes of steps S203 and S204 in the same manner as the processes of steps S103 and S104 illustrated in FIG.

  In the process of step S <b> 205, the control unit 104 determines whether another load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110. If the control unit 104 determines that another load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S205: Yes), the control unit 104 performs the processing while increasing the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106. Exit. On the other hand, when it determines with the other load apparatus not being connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 (step S205: No), the control part 104 progresses to the process of step S206.

  As described above, when it is determined by the process of step S205 (Yes) that another load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the fuel flow rate is higher than when the load device is first detected. The operation of the battery device 100 is continued. Thereby, even if another load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the load device can be used without causing an overload abnormality. Furthermore, by preventing an overload abnormality, acceleration of deterioration due to an overload abnormality of the cell stack included in the hot module 106 can be reduced.

  The control unit 104 performs the process of step S206 in the same manner as the process of step S106 illustrated in FIG. Here, in the example of FIG. 6, the fuel flow rate is gradually reduced to the normal value after time T5. Note that the flow rate of the fuel may be reduced stepwise in consideration of the stability of the operating state of the fuel cell device 100. FIG. 7 shows an example of a temporal change in the fuel flow rate when the flow rate of the fuel is reduced stepwise when the load device connection is detected. In FIG. 7, the same elements as those shown in FIG.

  As described above, when no other load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 by the processes of steps S205 and S206, the flow rate of the fuel increased to the rated value by the process of step S202 is gradually decreased to the normal value. Thereby, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced, and further, temperature rise of the fuel cell device 100 can be prevented.

  In step S202, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is controlled to be a rated value, but may be controlled to be a constant multiple of the normal value. Further, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 may be set in consideration of power consumption of a load device such as a home appliance connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  Further, in the processing of steps S201 and S205, the control unit 104 may determine whether or not the load device is used in the same manner as in step S105. At this time, whether or not the load device is being used may be determined based on an operation by the user of the remote controller corresponding to the load device.

  As described above, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the second embodiment, when the load device connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 is not detected, power generation is performed with the fuel flow rate kept at a normal value. However, when a load device connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 is detected, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the second embodiment, when it is determined that no other load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 after the time Tb has elapsed after increasing the flow rate of the fuel, The fuel flow is being reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waste of fuel and to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell device from rising.

(Third embodiment)
[Configuration of fuel cell device]
Since the fuel cell device 100 according to the third embodiment can adopt the same configuration as the fuel cell device 100 according to the first embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The point will be mainly described.

  The predetermined condition according to the third embodiment is a planned power outage. In the third embodiment, when it is known in advance that the fuel cell device 100 performs a self-sustained operation like a planned power outage, a load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 of the fuel cell device 100 by the user. Therefore, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased in advance. Hereinafter, this control will be described.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether or not it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts. The predetermined time is, for example, several tens of minutes or several hours. The control unit 104 may acquire information on the planned power outage from communication with the HEMS and determine whether it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts. Alternatively, the control unit 104 may determine whether or not it is a predetermined time before the start of the planned power outage from information on the planned power outage directly input to the fuel cell device 100 by the user.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time before the planned power failure starts, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 before the planned power failure is started. For example, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to be increased to a rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103. After the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106, a planned power outage is initiated. In addition, after the planned power outage starts, the fuel cell device 100 switches to a self-sustained operation. Thereafter, when the user wants to use the load device, the load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 by the user. In the following description, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 under the control of the control unit 104 is described as being increased to the rated value. You may make it increase to the value which considered the power consumption of load apparatuses, such as a household appliance connected to the output terminal 110. FIG.

  Next, the control unit 104 sets a timer T. Thereafter, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the timer T is equal to or longer than a predetermined time Tc. The predetermined time Tc is set within a range in which the heat balance in the fuel cell device 100 can be maintained, for example, by control or the like.

  Thereafter, when it is determined that the timer T is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Tc, the control unit 104 determines whether or not a load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  When it is determined that the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110, the control unit 104 reduces the flow rate of the fuel and controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to gradually decrease to a normal value. . Based on the control of the control unit 104, the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is gradually reduced to the normal value by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103.

[Operation of fuel cell device]
Hereinafter, the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 104 determines whether or not it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts (step S301). The control unit 104 may acquire information on the planned power outage from communication with the HEMS and determine whether it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts. Alternatively, the control unit 104 may determine whether or not it is a predetermined time before the start of the planned power outage from information on the planned power outage directly input to the fuel cell device 100 by the user. When determining that it is not a predetermined time before the start of the planned power failure (step S301: No), the control unit 104 ends the process while keeping the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 at a normal value. On the other hand, if the control unit 104 determines that it is a predetermined time before the start of the planned power failure (step S301: Yes), the process proceeds to step S302.

  In the process of step S302, the control unit 104 controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to the rated value. Based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reformed water processing unit 103.

  In FIG. 9, an example of the time change of the flow volume of the fuel at the time of a planned power failure is shown. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the flow rate of fuel supplied to the hot module 106. In the example of FIG. 9, it is determined by the control unit 104 at a time T6 that it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts. After time T6, the control unit 104 controls the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 to increase to the rated value. Thereafter, based on the control of the control unit 104, the rated value fuel is supplied to the hot module 106 by the gas processing unit 101, the air processing unit 102, and the reforming water processing unit 103. In addition, the planned power outage is started from time T7, and the fuel cell device 100 is switched to the independent operation. Thereafter, when the user wants to use the load device, the load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 by the user.

  As described above, the flow of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased when it is determined by the processing in steps S301 and S302 that the predetermined time before the planned power outage starts. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, it is possible to reduce waste of fuel.

  Next, the control unit 104 performs the processes of steps S303 to S306 in the same manner as the processes of steps S103 to S106 illustrated in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 9, after the time T8, the fuel flow rate is gradually reduced to the normal value. Note that the flow rate of the fuel may be reduced stepwise in consideration of the stability of the operating state of the fuel cell device 100. FIG. 10 shows an example of the change over time in the flow rate of the fuel when the flow rate of the fuel is reduced stepwise in the planned power failure. In FIG. 10, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As described above, when no load device is connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 by the processes of steps S305 and S306, the flow rate of the fuel increased to the rated value by the process of step S302 is gradually reduced to the normal value. Thereby, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced, and further, temperature rise of the fuel cell device 100 can be prevented.

  In the process of step S302, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is controlled to be the rated value, but it may be controlled to be a constant multiple of the normal value. Further, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 may be set in consideration of power consumption of a load device such as a home appliance connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110.

  In the process of step S305, the control unit 104 may determine whether or not the load device is used in the same manner as in step S105. At this time, whether or not the load device is being used may be determined based on an operation by the user of the remote controller corresponding to the load device.

  As described above, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the third embodiment, when it is determined that it is not a predetermined time before the planned power outage, power generation is performed with the fuel flow rate kept at a normal value. If it is determined that it is a predetermined time before the planned power outage starts, the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module 106 is increased. Thereby, since a lot of fuel is not always supplied to the hot module 106, wasteful use of fuel can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell device 100 according to the third embodiment, when it is determined that the load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal 110 after the time Tc has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate, The flow rate is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waste of fuel and to prevent the temperature of the fuel cell device from rising.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be rearranged so that there is no logical contradiction, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of components, steps, etc. into one It is. Further, although the present invention has been described mainly with respect to the apparatus, the present invention can be realized as a method, a program, or a storage medium recording the program, which is executed by a processor included in the apparatus, and falls within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that these are also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Fuel cell apparatus 101 Gas processing part 102 Air processing part 103 Reformed water processing part 104 Control part 105 Storage part 106 Hot module 107 Inverter 108 Waste heat recovery processing part 109 Circulating water processing part 110 Independent operation output terminal 111 Communication part 200 Commercial AC power system 300 Hot water storage tank

Claims (3)

A fuel cell device capable of independent operation,
A hot module that generates electricity from the supplied fuel;
Self-sustained operation output terminal for connecting load equipment,
A control unit for controlling the flow rate of the fuel,
When the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit controls to increase the flow rate of the fuel,
Wherein the predetermined condition is Ri first predetermined time before der rolling blackouts start,
The control unit performs control to reduce the fuel flow rate when it is determined that a load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal after a second predetermined time has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate. <br/> A fuel cell device characterized by the above. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the flow rate of the fuel to be reduced stepwise. A fuel cell device control method capable of self-sustained operation, wherein the fuel cell device includes a self-sustained operation output terminal for connecting a load device, and the control method includes:
Determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied;
Controlling to increase the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the hot module of the fuel cell device when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied;
When it is determined that a load device is not connected to the self-sustained operation output terminal after a second predetermined time has elapsed after increasing the fuel flow rate, controlling to reduce the fuel flow rate; and
Including
The control method, wherein the predetermined condition is a first predetermined time before the start of a planned power outage.

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