JP6804686B1 - Fuel cell device and fuel cell management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell device in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that a fuel cell can be operated properly. SOLUTION: When the operation control unit 16 of a fuel cell device 30 determines that the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is insufficient is satisfied, the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 is satisfied. By increasing the supply amount per unit time, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Excessive supply of raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 When it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the reference fuel is used by reducing the amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 per unit time. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the rate characteristic curve. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention has a reforming section for steam reforming the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, an anode to which the fuel gas generated in the reforming section is supplied, and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied. A fuel cell device including a fuel cell and a combustion unit that burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction and heats the reforming unit by the combustion heat, and the like. Regarding fuel cell management system.

In a fuel cell device that generates power with a fuel cell having an anode to which fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied, most of the fuel gas containing hydrogen supplied to the anode is consumed in the power generation reaction. The remaining fuel gas is burned in the combustion section as fuel gas (fuel gas not used in the power generation reaction) in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode. Therefore, in order to properly generate and operate the fuel cell device, it is necessary that an appropriate amount of fuel gas is consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell and an appropriate amount of fuel gas is consumed in combustion in the combustion part. Is.

When power is generated by a fuel cell device, in order to improve its efficiency, the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode to the amount of fuel gas supplied to the anode, is increased. There is a method called. However, it is not enough to simply increase the fuel utilization rate, but the appropriate amount of fuel gas is consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell, and the temperature of the combustion part is set in the appropriate temperature range by burning the fuel gas. It is preferable to keep the fuel utilization rate as high as possible while maintaining the fuel utilization rate.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-162746) describes a fuel cell device in which the fuel utilization rate in the rated power generation state is larger than the fuel utilization rate in the partial load power generation state. As a result, there is an advantage that the power generation efficiency is high while the fuel cell device is operated in the rated power generation state.

JP-A-2017-162746

Regardless of whether the fuel cell device is in the partial load power generation state or the rated power generation state, even if the fuel utilization rate is made as high as possible, instead of setting the same fuel utilization rate for all the fuel cell devices, each It is preferable to set a fuel utilization rate suitable for the fuel cell device.

For example, if the combustibility of fuel gas in the combustion part of a fuel cell is different for each fuel cell, the temperature of the combustion part may be different even if the same amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part of a plurality of fuel cells. is there. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively poor, it is preferable that more fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate is set. On the other hand, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively good, it is preferable that less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set.

Another possibility is that the fuel gas that should be supplied to the anode (the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction and the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion part) leaks to the outside of the fuel cell somewhere. There is also. In that case, assuming that the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction is constant, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion unit and burned decreases by the amount of leakage. Then, the temperature of the combustion portion becomes lower than the appropriate temperature range. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which a fuel gas leak may occur, more fuel gas is supplied to the anode so that an appropriate amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part. That is, it is preferable to set a lower fuel utilization rate. In addition, even if there is a fuel gas that is not consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell and is not burned even in the combustion part due to the leak, it can be removed by catalytic combustion in the combustion catalyst part provided separately.
In addition to the fuel gas leaking to the outside of the fuel cell, there is a possibility that the fuel gas leaks from the anode side to the cathode side. In that case, the amount of fuel gas that can be used for the power generation reaction at the anode decreases, and the output voltage of the fuel cell may decrease.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that a fuel cell can be operated properly and a fuel cell management system including the same. It is in the point of providing.

The characteristic configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a reforming unit for steam reforming the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen.
A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having an anode to which the fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied generated in the reforming part,
A combustion unit as a fuel gas consuming unit that burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction and heats the reforming unit by the combustion heat.
A raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit,
A consumption state detection unit that detects the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit,
Fuel utilization, which is the ratio of the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode to the amount of the raw material fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to one of the reference fuel utilization characteristic curves among a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the rate is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. It is equipped with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
The operation control unit controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. When increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
The operation control unit is based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit.
When it is determined that the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied , the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the plurality of the fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is lower than the value determined by is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. And
When it is determined that the oversupply condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied , the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the plurality of the fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than the determined value is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. At the point.

According to the above characteristic configuration, when the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit, the reforming unit By increasing the supply amount of raw material fuel gas to the unit per unit time, the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Control the operation. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved.
Further, when the operation control unit determines that the excess supply condition that the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit, the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit is satisfied. By reducing the supply amount per unit time of, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
In addition, when the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit, a plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristics Among the curves, another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the fuel utilization rate is lower than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve is set as the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the new reference fuel utilization is used. When the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the rate characteristic curve and it is determined that the oversupply condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, among the multiple fuel utilization characteristic curves, Set another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the fuel utilization is higher than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and follow the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. It is possible to control the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell device in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell apparatus according to the present invention is a reforming unit that steam reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen.
A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having an anode to which the fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied generated in the reforming part,
A combustion unit as a fuel gas consuming unit that burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction and heats the reforming unit by the combustion heat.
A raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit,
A consumption state detection unit that detects the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit,
Fuel utilization, which is the ratio of the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode to the amount of the raw material fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming part is controlled by controlling the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit according to the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve in which the target value of the rate is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. Equipped with an operation control unit that adjusts the amount of supply per hit
The operation control unit controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. When increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
Insufficient raw material and fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming part The amount of decrease in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and the supply in which the raw material and fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming part is excessive. The amount of increase in fuel utilization applied when the excess condition is satisfied is stored in advance.
The operation control unit is based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit.
When it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit has a fuel utilization rate that is lower than the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve by the amount of decrease. Control the behavior of
When it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit increases the fuel utilization rate by the increase amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. The point is to control the operation of.

According to the above characteristic configuration, when the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit, the reforming unit By increasing the amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the unit per unit time, the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the standard fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Control the operation. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved.
Further, when the operation control unit determines that the excess supply condition that the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit, the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit is satisfied. By reducing the supply amount per unit time of, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
In addition, the fuel cell device is short of raw fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming section. The amount of reduction in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is met, and the raw fuel to be supplied to the reforming section. The amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate applied when the oversupply condition in which the gas is excessive is satisfied is stored in advance, and the operation control unit stores the supply shortage condition based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit. When it is determined that is satisfied, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled and supplied so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is reduced by a decrease amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. When it is determined that the excess condition is satisfied, the operation of the raw fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is increased by an increase amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. be able to.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell device in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention is that the consumption state detection unit has a combustion temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion unit.
The operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, and when the temperature of the combustion unit is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. The point is that it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied.

When the flammability of the fuel gas in the combustion part of the fuel cell is different for each fuel cell, the temperature of the combustion part may be different even if the same amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part of a plurality of fuel cells. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively poor, it is preferable that more fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate is set. On the other hand, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively good, it is preferable that less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, and increases the supply amount of raw fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time. By doing so, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw material and fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved, that is, the temperature of the combustion section will be equal to or higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. On the other hand, the operation control unit determines that the oversupply condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature, and per unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit. By reducing the supply amount, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the state in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is excessive is eliminated, that is, the temperature of the combustion section becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit combustion temperature.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention is that the consumption state detection unit has an output voltage detection unit that detects the output voltage of the fuel cell as the fuel gas consumption unit.
The operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, and the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage. In this case, it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied.

If the temperature of the fuel cell is low due to the low temperature of the combustion part, and if the fuel gas concentration at the anode of the fuel cell is low, the output voltage of the fuel cell may be low. is there. In that case, it is preferable that more fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part and more fuel gas is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate is set. On the other hand, when the temperature of the fuel cell is high due to the high temperature of the combustion part, and when the fuel gas concentration at the anode of the fuel cell is high, the output voltage of the fuel cell is high. There is a possibility of becoming. In that case, it is preferable that less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part and less fuel gas is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, and determines the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit per unit time. By increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw material and fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit will be resolved, that is, the output voltage of the fuel cell will be equal to or higher than the lower limit output voltage. On the other hand, the operation control unit determines that the oversupply condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage, and per unit time of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit. By reducing the supply amount of, the operation of the raw fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the state in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is eliminated, that is, the output voltage of the fuel cell becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit output voltage.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell apparatus according to the present invention is that the fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas exhausted from the inside of the housing containing the reforming portion, the fuel cell, and the combustion portion is catalytically burned. A combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit is provided.
The consumption state detection unit has a catalyst temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit.
The operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature.

If the fuel gas to be supplied to the anode (the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction and the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion part) leaks to the outside somewhere, the fuel consumed in the power generation reaction Assuming that the amount of gas is constant, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion unit and burned decreases by the amount of leakage. Then, if there is a fuel gas inside the housing that is not consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell due to the leak and is not burned even in the combustion part, the fuel gas is catalytically burned in the combustion catalyst part. , The temperature of the catalyst combustion part becomes high. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which a fuel gas leak may occur, more fuel gas is supplied to the anode so that an appropriate amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part. That is, it is preferable to set a lower fuel utilization rate.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature, and determines the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit per unit time. By increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion section and burned will increase.

The characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a fuel cell device and a server device capable of communicating with each other.
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The raw material fuel supply amount is adjusted according to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of one of a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the unit to adjust the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and the operation control unit is described in the case of reducing the fuel utilization rate. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material and fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the above to the reforming unit. By controlling the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to reduce the amount of raw material and fuel gas supplied per unit time,
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. and reception processing is configured to perform the supply amount adjusting process for controlling the operation of the pre-Kihara fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device,
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device .
The determination result created by the server device in the detection result determination process is information indicating the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or the supply shortage. Contains information indicating the result that both the condition and the oversupply condition are not met.
When the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjusting process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel cell device uses fuel among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve whose rate is lower than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. When the determination result received from the server device that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves Another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the rate is higher than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. The point is to control the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit .

According to the above characteristic configuration, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient. In the case of the judgment result created in the above, by increasing the supply amount of raw fuel gas to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved. In addition, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is determined based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the oversupply condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive. In this case, by reducing the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate will be higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the fuel supply amount adjustment unit. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
Further, the fuel cell has a function of determining whether the undersupply condition is satisfied, the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the undersupply condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit. The server device can make such a decision even if the device does not have it. Then, the server device transmits the determination result created based on the determined content to the fuel cell device, so that the fuel utilization rate set in the fuel cell device can be set to an appropriate value.
Furthermore, in the fuel cell device, if the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is currently among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Set another fuel utilization characteristic curve, which is lower than the value determined by the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and adjust the raw fuel supply amount according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. If the judgment result received from the server device that controls the operation of the unit is the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the multiple fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Set another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than the value determined by to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and control the operation of the raw fuel supply amount adjusting unit according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. Can be done.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell management system in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell device and a server device capable of communicating with each other.
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The raw material fuel supply amount is adjusted according to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of one of a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the unit to adjust the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and the operation control unit is described in the case of reducing the fuel utilization rate. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material and fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the above to the reforming unit. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the amount of raw material and fuel gas supplied per unit time.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The server device is set by the fuel cell device when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition in the detection result determination process. As information for lowering the fuel utilization rate than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. When the determination result includes information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve and the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process satisfies the excess supply condition, the above As information for making the fuel utilization rate higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device, the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. The determination result includes information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than that determined by, and the fuel cell device includes a plurality of the determination results received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process. If the fuel utilization characteristic curve of the above contains information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the fuel utilization rate is lower than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, the information concerned. The other fuel utilization characteristic curve is set as a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve based on the above, and the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. The determination result received from the server device is another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the fuel utilization rate is higher than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve among the plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves. If the information is included, the other fuel utilization characteristic curve is set as a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve based on the information, and the raw material fuel is set according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. The point is to control the operation of the supply amount adjusting unit.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient. In the case of the judgment result created in the above, by increasing the supply amount of raw fuel gas to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved. In addition, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is determined based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the oversupply condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive. In this case, by reducing the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate will be higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the fuel supply amount adjustment unit. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
Further, the fuel cell has a function of determining whether the undersupply condition is satisfied, the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the undersupply condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit. The server device can make such a decision even if the device does not have it. Then, the server device transmits the determination result created based on the determined content to the fuel cell device, so that the fuel utilization rate set in the fuel cell device can be set to an appropriate value.
Furthermore, in the fuel cell device, the judgment result received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process is higher than the value whose fuel utilization rate is determined by the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. If it contains information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that becomes lower, the other fuel utilization characteristic curve is set as a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve based on the information, and a new standard fuel utilization characteristic curve is set. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit is controlled according to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the judgment result received from the server device is the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve among multiple fuel utilization characteristic curves. If it contains information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than the value determined by, then based on that information, the other fuel utilization characteristic curve becomes a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. It can be set and the operation of the raw fuel supply amount adjusting unit can be controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell management system in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell device and a server device capable of communicating with each other.
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. According to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve that defines the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, as a function of the output current of the fuel cell, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled to the reforming unit. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas per unit time, and the operation control unit is provided with a unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount per unit, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time is decreased. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to cause the operation.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The determination result created by the server device in the detection result determination process is information indicating the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or the supply shortage. Contains information indicating the result that both the condition and the oversupply condition are not met.
The fuel cell device stores in advance the amount of decrease in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied and the amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. If the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate is lower than the value by the decrease amount, and the determination result received from the server device is the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied. In one case, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is increased by the increase amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient. In the case of the judgment result created in the above, by increasing the supply amount of raw fuel gas to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved. In addition, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is determined based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the oversupply condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive. In this case, by reducing the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate will be higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the fuel supply amount adjustment unit. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
Further, the fuel cell has a function of determining whether the undersupply condition is satisfied, the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the undersupply condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit. The server device can make such a decision even if the device does not have it. Then, the server device transmits the determination result created based on the determined content to the fuel cell device, so that the fuel utilization rate set in the fuel cell device can be set to an appropriate value.
Furthermore, the fuel cell device stores in advance the amount of decrease in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied and the amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. If the judgment result received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process is that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is reduced from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. If the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate is reduced by the amount, and the judgment result received from the server device is that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is the reference fuel utilization. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit can be controlled so that the fuel utilization rate is increased by an increase amount from the value determined by the rate characteristic curve.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell management system in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell device and a server device capable of communicating with each other.
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. According to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve that defines the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, as a function of the output current of the fuel cell, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled to the reforming unit. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas per unit time, and the operation control unit is provided with a unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount per unit, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time is decreased. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to cause the operation.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The server device stores in advance the amount of decrease in fuel utilization applied when the undersupply condition is satisfied and the amount of increase in fuel utilization applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. In the detection result determination process, when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition, the fuel cell device is set. As information for lowering the fuel utilization rate than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, information on the reduction amount of the fuel utilization rate is included in the determination result, and the detection result reception process is performed. When the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device satisfies the excess supply condition, the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device. As information for increasing the fuel utilization rate, information on the amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate is included in the determination result.
When the determination result received from the server device includes information about the reduction amount for lowering the fuel utilization rate in the supply amount adjusting process, the fuel cell device is based on the information. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is reduced by the amount of decrease from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve that has been set up to that point. When the determination result received from the server device includes information about the increase amount for increasing the fuel utilization rate, the reference fuel for which the fuel utilization rate has been set up to that point is based on the information. The point is to control the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that the fuel utilization rate is increased by the increase amount from the value determined by the utilization rate characteristic curve.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the supply shortage condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient. In the case of the judgment result created in the above, by increasing the supply amount of raw fuel gas to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time increases so that the fuel utilization rate becomes low, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved. In addition, the operation control unit of the fuel cell device is determined based on the determination that the determination result received from the server device satisfies the oversupply condition in which the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive. In this case, by reducing the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming part per unit time, the fuel utilization rate will be higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Controls the operation of the fuel supply amount adjustment unit. That is, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section per unit time decreases as the fuel utilization rate increases, it is expected that the excess raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be eliminated.
In this way, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is adjusted based on the actual consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consuming section of the fuel cell device, so that an appropriate fuel utilization rate can be obtained. It will be fixed.
Further, the fuel cell has a function of determining whether the undersupply condition is satisfied, the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the undersupply condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit. The server device can make such a decision even if the device does not have it. Then, the server device transmits the determination result created based on the determined content to the fuel cell device, so that the fuel utilization rate set in the fuel cell device can be set to an appropriate value.
Furthermore, in the fuel cell device, when the determination result received from the server device includes information about the reduction amount for lowering the fuel utilization rate in the supply amount adjustment process, the fuel utilization rate is based on the information. Controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that the fuel utilization rate is reduced by a decrease amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve that has been set up to that point, and the judgment received from the server device. If the result contains information about the amount of increase to increase the fuel utilization, then the fuel utilization is based on that information than the value determined by the previously set reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit can be controlled so that the fuel utilization rate is increased by the increased amount.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell management system in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that the fuel cell can be operated properly.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention is that the consumption state detection unit has a combustion temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion unit, and the server device has the temperature of the combustion unit. When it is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and when the temperature of the combustion unit is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature, it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied. is there.

When the flammability of the fuel gas in the combustion part of the fuel cell is different for each fuel cell, the temperature of the combustion part may be different even if the same amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part of a plurality of fuel cells. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively poor, it is preferable that more fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate is set. On the other hand, for example, in a fuel cell in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion portion is relatively good, it is preferable that less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion portion, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion section is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, and the fuel cell device determines that the raw fuel gas to the reforming section per unit time. By increasing the supply amount, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw material and fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved, that is, the temperature of the combustion section will be equal to or higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. On the other hand, the server device determines that the oversupply condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion section is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature, and the fuel cell device determines that the raw fuel gas to the reforming section is charged. By reducing the supply amount per unit time, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the state in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming section is excessive is eliminated, that is, the temperature of the combustion section becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit combustion temperature.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention is that the consumption state detection unit has an output voltage detection unit that detects the output voltage of the fuel cell as the fuel gas consumption unit, and the server device. Determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, and when the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage, the supply The point is that it is determined that the excess condition is satisfied.

If the temperature of the fuel cell is low due to the low temperature of the combustion part, and if the fuel gas concentration at the anode of the fuel cell is low, the output voltage of the fuel cell may be low. is there. In that case, it is preferable that more fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part and more fuel gas is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate is set. On the other hand, when the temperature of the fuel cell is high due to the high temperature of the combustion part, and when the fuel gas concentration at the anode of the fuel cell is high, the output voltage of the fuel cell is high. There is a possibility of becoming. In that case, it is preferable that less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part and less fuel gas is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, and the fuel cell device per unit time of the raw fuel gas to the reforming section. By increasing the supply amount of, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw material and fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit will be resolved, that is, the output voltage of the fuel cell will be equal to or higher than the lower limit output voltage. On the other hand, the server device determines that the oversupply condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage, and the fuel cell device determines that the raw fuel gas to the reforming section is satisfied. By reducing the supply amount per unit time of, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the state in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is eliminated, that is, the output voltage of the fuel cell becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit output voltage.

Yet another characteristic configuration of the fuel cell management system according to the present invention is that the fuel cell device is included in the exhaust gas exhausted from the inside of the housing accommodating the reforming unit, the fuel cell, and the combustion unit. A combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit for catalytically burning the fuel gas is provided, and the consumption state detection unit has a catalyst temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit. However, the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature.

If the fuel gas to be supplied to the anode (the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction and the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion part) leaks to the outside somewhere, the fuel consumed in the power generation reaction Assuming that the amount of gas is constant, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion unit and burned decreases by the amount of leakage. Then, if there is a fuel gas inside the housing that is not consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell due to the leak and is not burned even in the combustion part, the fuel gas is catalytically burned in the combustion catalyst part. , The temperature of the catalyst combustion part becomes high. Therefore, for example, in a fuel cell in which a fuel gas leak may occur, more fuel gas is supplied to the anode so that an appropriate amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion part. That is, it is preferable to set a lower fuel utilization rate.
Therefore, in this feature configuration, the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst section is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature, and the fuel cell device determines that the raw fuel gas to the reforming section per unit time. By increasing the supply amount of, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. As a result, it is expected that the shortage of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming section will be resolved, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion section and burned will increase.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell apparatus. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the output current of a fuel cell, and the fuel utilization rate in a fuel cell. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the output current of a fuel cell and the S / C of the reforming process in a reforming part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell management system.

<First Embodiment>
The fuel cell device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell device 30. The fuel cell device 30 is supplied with a reforming unit 7 that steam reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, an anode 9a to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit 7 is supplied, and oxygen gas. The fuel cell 10 having the cathode 9b and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode 9a after being used in the power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming unit 7 is heated by the combustion heat. And. In addition, the fuel cell device 30 includes a raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2, a consumption state detecting unit 20, and an operation control unit 16. In the present embodiment, the reforming unit 7, the fuel cell 10, and the combustion unit 11 are housed inside the housing 1. In addition, a vaporization unit 6 for vaporizing the supplied reforming water is also housed inside the housing 1. The combustion heat generated in the combustion unit 11 is also given to the vaporization unit 6. The fuel cell 10 that consumes fuel gas by the power generation reaction and the combustion unit 11 that consumes fuel gas by combustion can be used as the fuel gas consumption unit 24.

The fuel cell 10 is a solid oxide fuel cell 9 having an anode 9a to which a fuel gas containing hydrogen as a main component generated by the reforming unit 7 is supplied and a cathode 9b to which oxygen gas (air) is supplied. It is composed of a cell stack provided with a plurality of the above electrically connected in series. Although not shown, the cell 9 is composed of a solid oxide fuel cell having a solid electrolyte layer between the anode 9a and the cathode 9b. The anode 9a is configured to allow fuel gas to pass through, and the cathode 9b is configured to allow air to pass through. The fuel cell 10 has a plurality of cells 9 arranged side by side in a posture in which the fuel gas discharge port (not shown) of the anode 9a and the air discharge port (not shown) of the cathode 9b are facing upward. It is installed inside the. The shape and structure of the cell 9 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG.

The fuel cell 10 is provided with a gas manifold 21 that receives the fuel gas supplied from the reforming unit 7 through the fuel gas flow path 8. The plurality of cells 9 are arranged on the upper side of the gas manifold 21 in a state of being arranged as described above, and the gas manifold 21 and the gas introduction port (not shown) at the lower end of the anode 9a in the plurality of cells 9 are communicated and connected. ing. Then, the fuel gas supplied to the gas manifold 21 is supplied from the gas introduction port at the lower end to each anode 9a of the plurality of cells 9, and flows from the lower side to the upper side to each anode 9a to generate electricity. Subject to reaction. The fuel gas after being subjected to the power generation reaction is discharged as exhaust fuel gas from the fuel gas discharge port at the upper end.

An air introduction port 22 is provided in the housing 1, and oxygen gas (air) is supplied into the housing 1 via the air introduction port 22 by an oxygen supply amount adjusting unit 15 realized by using a blower or the like. Will be done. An air supply hole (not shown) for communicating the inside of the housing 1 and the cathode 9b is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cathode 9b in each of the plurality of cells 9. The air in the housing 1 is supplied to each of the cathodes 9b of the plurality of cells 9 through the air supply holes, and flows from the lower side to the upper side with respect to each cathode 9b to be subjected to a power generation reaction. The air after being subjected to the power generation reaction is discharged as exhaust oxygen gas from the air outlet at the upper end. The oxygen gas (air) supplied to the inside of the housing 1 is also used to burn the discharged fuel gas in the combustion unit 11. That is, the oxygen supply amount adjusting unit 15 plays a role of adjusting the supply amount of oxygen gas to the cathode 9b and the combustion unit 11.
The operation of the oxygen supply amount adjusting unit 15 is controlled by the operation control unit 16.

Above the fuel cell 10, a combustion space is formed for burning the discharged fuel gas discharged from the fuel gas discharge port of the anode 9a of each cell 9 and the discharged oxygen gas discharged from the air discharge port of the cathode 9b. .. This combustion space becomes the combustion unit 11. The vaporization unit 6 and the reforming unit 7 are provided adjacent to the combustion space (combustion unit 11) above the fuel cell 10.

The housing 1 is formed on the lower surface portion or the like with a discharge portion 23 for discharging the combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion portion 11 to the outside. A combustion catalyst unit 12 is provided in the housing 1 to catalytically burn the fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas including the combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustion unit 11 exhausted from the inside of the housing 1. The combustion catalyst unit 12 that consumes the fuel gas by catalytic combustion can be used as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 of the present invention.

The vaporization unit 6 is connected to the raw material / fuel flow path 3 to which the raw material / fuel gas is supplied and the reforming water flow path 5 to which the reforming water is supplied. Then, the raw material fuel gas and the reforming water are supplied to the inside of the vaporization unit 6. The raw material / fuel flow path 3 is provided with a raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7. The reforming water flow path 5 is provided with a water supply amount adjusting unit 4 for adjusting the supply amount of reforming water to the reforming unit 7.
The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 and the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 included in the fuel cell device 30 is controlled by the operation control unit 16.

In the vaporization unit 6, the supplied reforming water is heated and evaporated using the combustion heat transmitted from the combustion unit 11. Further, in the vaporization unit 6, the steam generated by the evaporation of the reforming water and the supplied raw material fuel gas are mixed.

The reforming unit 7 reforms the supplied raw material fuel gas using the steam generated in the vaporizing unit 6. Specifically, the reforming section 7 is filled with a reforming catalyst, and the raw material fuel gas is reformed by the catalytic action of the reforming catalyst.
By adjusting the amount of raw fuel gas and the amount of water vapor supplied to the reforming unit 7, the amount of fuel gas produced by the reforming unit 7, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied from the reforming unit 7 to the anode 9a. Is adjusted.

A power conversion device such as an inverter device is connected to the fuel cell 10, and the generated power of the fuel cell 10 is supplied to various power consumption devices via the power conversion device.

In the present embodiment, an output voltage detection unit 18 for detecting the output voltage of the cell stack of the fuel cell 10 and an output current detection unit 19 for detecting the output current of the cell stack of the fuel cell 10 are provided. The detection result of the output voltage detection unit 18 and the detection result of the output current detection unit 19 are transmitted to the operation control unit 16.

Inside the housing 1 of the fuel cell device 30, a combustion temperature detecting unit 13 for detecting the temperature of the combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consuming unit 24 is provided. The temperature detected by the combustion temperature detection unit 13 is the temperature of the portion where the flame generated by burning the fuel gas in the combustion unit 11 exists. The detection result of the combustion temperature detection unit 13 is transmitted to the operation control unit 16.

Inside the housing 1 of the fuel cell device 30, a catalyst temperature detecting unit 14 for detecting the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 is provided. The detection result of the catalyst temperature detection unit 14 is transmitted to the operation control unit 16.

In the fuel cell 10, a power generation reaction (that is, consumption of fuel gas according to the output current) is performed according to the output current output to the power converter (not shown). In order for the output current of the fuel cell 10 to reach a desired value, an appropriate amount of fuel gas is supplied to the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 and an appropriate amount of oxygen is supplied to the cathode 9b. It is necessary that gas is supplied. Therefore, the operation control unit 16 controls the operations of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 and the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 to adjust the amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 and the amount of reforming water. As a result, the amount of fuel gas generated by the reforming unit 7, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied from the reforming unit 7 to the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is adjusted. Further, the operation control unit 16 controls the operation of the oxygen supply amount adjusting unit 15 to adjust the amount of oxygen gas supplied to the cathode 9b of the fuel cell 10.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the fuel utilization rate Uf of the fuel cell 10. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the S / C of the reforming process in the reforming unit 7. The relationship between the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the fuel utilization rate Uf in the fuel cell 10 as shown in FIG. 2, and the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the modification in the reforming unit 7 as shown in FIG. The relationship between the quality processing and the S / C is stored in the storage unit 17 in a state in which the operation control unit 16 can refer to it. In the present embodiment, the fuel utilization rate Uf is the anode 9a with respect to the amount of raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of fuel gas supplied to the anode 9a (that is, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7). It is the ratio of the amount of raw material fuel gas corresponding to the amount of fuel gas used in the power generation reaction, and S / C is the molar ratio of water vapor to carbon in the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7.

Then, the operation control unit 16 sets the output current detected by the output current detection unit 19 and the target value of the fuel utilization rate as a function of the output current of the fuel cell 10, and the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of FIG. , The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 and the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 is controlled and reformed according to the reference S / C characteristic curve of FIG. 3, which defines the target value of S / C as a function of the output current. By adjusting the amount of raw fuel gas and reforming water supplied to the section 7 (vaporization section 6) per unit time, the amount of fuel gas generated in the reforming section 7, that is, the reforming section 7 to the anode 9a Adjust the amount of fuel gas supplied to.

An example of a procedure when the operation control unit 16 determines the amount of raw material fuel gas and the amount of steam supplied to the reforming unit 7 will be described below.
First, when the output current I is determined, the amount of fuel gas required to generate the output current I in the fuel cell 10 is determined. That is, the amount of fuel gas used for the power generation reaction is determined by the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the output current I is determined, the fuel utilization rate Uf is determined. As a result, based on the amount of fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 and the fuel utilization rate, the fuel in the discharged fuel gas discharged without being used for the power generation reaction at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 The amount of gas is also determined. Therefore, the amount of fuel gas (used for the power generation reaction) that needs to be supplied to the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 in order to satisfy the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic of FIG. 2 with respect to the output current I. The amount of fuel gas to be produced and the amount of fuel gas in the discharged fuel gas discharged without being used in the power generation reaction) are determined. Then, since the amount of fuel gas that needs to be supplied to the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is the amount of fuel gas that should be generated by the reforming unit 7, reforming that is necessary to generate the fuel gas. The amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the part 7 is determined.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the output current I is determined, the S / C is determined. As described above, since the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is determined according to the output current I, S determined by the amount of the raw fuel gas and the reference S / C characteristics in FIG. The amount of steam (reforming water) that needs to be supplied to the reforming unit 7 to satisfy / C is determined.

It is preferable to set a fuel utilization rate suitable for each fuel cell device 30 instead of setting the same fuel utilization rate for all the fuel cell devices 30.
For example, when the flammability of the fuel gas in the combustion unit 11 of the fuel cell 10 is different for each fuel cell 10, even if the same amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion unit 11 of the plurality of fuel cells 10, the combustion unit 11 The temperature may be different. Therefore, for example, in the fuel cell 10 in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion unit 11 is relatively poor, more fuel gas can be supplied to the combustion unit 11, that is, a lower fuel utilization rate can be set. preferable. On the other hand, for example, in the fuel cell 10 in which the combustibility of the fuel gas in the combustion unit 11 is relatively good, less fuel gas is supplied to the combustion unit 11, that is, a higher fuel utilization rate is set. Is preferable.

In addition, the fuel gas to be supplied to the anode 9a (the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction and the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11) leaks to the outside of the fuel cell 10 somewhere. There may be. In that case, assuming that the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction is constant, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the combustion unit 11 and burned decreases by the amount of leakage. Then, the temperature of the combustion unit 11 becomes lower than the appropriate temperature range. Therefore, for example, in the fuel cell 10 in which a fuel gas leak may occur, a larger amount of fuel gas is supplied to the anode 9a so that an appropriate amount of fuel gas is supplied to the combustion unit 11. That is, it is preferable to set a lower fuel utilization rate. Even if there is fuel gas inside the housing 1 that is not consumed by the power generation reaction of the fuel cell 10 and is not burned by the combustion unit 11 due to the leak, the discharge unit 23 of the housing 1 It can be removed by catalytic combustion in the provided combustion catalyst section 12.
In addition to the fuel gas leaking to the outside of the fuel cell 10, there is a possibility that the fuel gas leaks from the anode 9a side to the cathode 9b side. In that case, the amount of fuel gas that can be used for the power generation reaction at the anode 9a may decrease, and the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 may decrease.

Next, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 by setting an appropriate fuel utilization rate so that the fuel cell 10 can be operated properly based on the reference fuel utilization rate characteristics as shown in FIG. The operation method of the fuel cell device 30 for adjusting the fuel cell device 30 will be described.

In the fuel cell device 30 of the present embodiment, the operation control unit 16 supplies the fuel gas consumption unit 24 to the reforming unit 7 based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 that detects the fuel gas consumption state. Insufficient raw fuel gas When it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve is increased by increasing the supply amount of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the actual fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the utilization rate, and the oversupply condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is excessive is satisfied. If it is determined that, by reducing the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 per unit time, the actual fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. The operation of the raw material / fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so as to be.
An example of setting an appropriate fuel utilization rate will be described below.

[Example 1]
In Example 1, the combustion unit 11 becomes the fuel gas consumption unit 24. When the consumption state detection unit 20 has a combustion temperature detection unit 13 that detects the temperature of the combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, the operation control unit 16 has a lower limit combustion temperature (for example, the temperature of the combustion unit 11). It is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature is lower than 550 ° C., and the oversupply condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit 11 is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature (for example, 650 ° C.) higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. judge. That is, when the temperature of the combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature or higher than the upper limit combustion temperature, the operation control unit 16 consumes the fuel gas in the combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24. It is determined that the state is an improper state, and the operation of the raw material / fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the improper state is eliminated.

In Example 1, the state in which the supply shortage condition that the temperature of the combustion unit 11 is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature is satisfied (inappropriate state) is because the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is smaller than the appropriate amount. It can be considered that it is occurring. Therefore, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is lowered, that is, if the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is increased from the present without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the combustion unit 11 It can be expected that the temperature rises to exceed the lower limit combustion temperature and the improper state is resolved. Therefore, in this Example 1, the operation control unit 16 of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 increases the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time and lowers the fuel utilization rate Uf. Control the operation.

In addition to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of FIG. 2, the storage unit 17 stores a characteristic curve A having a lower fuel utilization rate. Then, when the operation control unit 16 determines that the above supply shortage condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 16 sets the characteristic curve A as a new reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, and sets the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve (characteristic curve A). ) And the reference S / C characteristic curve of FIG. 3, controlling the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 and the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 to control the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 (vaporization unit 6) and By adjusting the supply amount of reforming water per unit time, the amount of fuel gas produced in the reforming section 7, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied from the reforming section 7 to the anode 9a is adjusted.

In Example 1, the state in which the oversupply condition that the temperature of the combustion unit 11 is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature is satisfied (inappropriate state) is because the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is larger than the appropriate amount. It can be considered that it is occurring. Therefore, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is increased, that is, if the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is reduced from the present without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the combustion unit 11 It can be expected that the temperature will drop to below the upper limit combustion temperature and the improper state will be resolved. Therefore, in this example 1, the operation control unit 16 reduces the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time to increase the fuel utilization rate Uf of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2. Control the operation.

In addition to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of FIG. 2, the storage unit 17 stores a characteristic curve B having a higher fuel utilization rate. Then, when the operation control unit 16 determines that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 16 sets the characteristic curve B as a new reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, and sets the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve (characteristic curve B). ) And the reference S / C characteristic curve of FIG. 3, controlling the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 and the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 to control the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 (vaporization unit 6) and By adjusting the supply amount of reforming water per unit time, the amount of fuel gas produced in the reforming section 7, that is, the amount of fuel gas supplied from the reforming section 7 to the anode 9a is adjusted.

[Example 2]
In Example 2, the fuel cell 10 is the fuel gas consuming unit 24. When the consumption state detection unit 20 has an output voltage detection unit 18 that detects the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, the operation control unit 16 determines that the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is the lower limit output voltage. When it is lower than (for example, 55V), it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and when the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is higher than the upper limit output voltage (for example, 65V) higher than the lower limit output voltage, the oversupply condition is satisfied. Judged as That is, when the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 is lower than the lower limit output voltage or higher than the upper limit output voltage, the operation control unit 16 determines that the fuel gas in the fuel cell 10 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 It is determined that the consumption state is an improper state, and the operation of the raw material / fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the improper state is eliminated.

In Example 2, in the fuel gas consumption state (inappropriate state) in which the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is lower than the lower limit output voltage, the temperature of the fuel cell 10 drops because the amount of fuel gas burned by the combustion unit 11 is small. It can be considered that this is caused by the fact that the fuel gas concentration at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is low. Therefore, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is lowered, that is, if the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is increased from the present without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the fuel cell 10 It can be expected that the temperature rises and the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 becomes equal to or higher than the lower limit output voltage to eliminate the improper state. Alternatively, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is lowered, that is, if the fuel gas concentration at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is increased without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is increased. It can be expected that the improper state will be resolved when the output voltage exceeds the lower limit. Therefore, in this Example 2, the operation control unit 16 of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 increases the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time and lowers the fuel utilization rate Uf. Control the operation.
A specific example when the operation control unit 16 reduces the fuel utilization rate is the same as that described in Example 1 above.

In Example 2, in the fuel gas consumption state (inappropriate state) in which the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is higher than the upper limit output voltage, the temperature of the fuel cell 10 rises because the amount of fuel gas burned by the combustion unit 11 is large. It can be considered that this is caused by the fact that the fuel gas concentration at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is high. Therefore, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is increased, that is, if the amount of fuel gas burned in the combustion unit 11 is reduced from the present without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the fuel cell 10 It can be expected that the temperature will drop and the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 will be equal to or less than the upper limit output voltage, and the improper state will be resolved. Alternatively, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is increased, that is, if the fuel gas concentration at the anode 9a of the fuel cell 10 is decreased without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is increased. It can be expected that the improper state will be resolved when the output voltage falls below the upper limit. Therefore, in this Example 2, the operation control unit 16 reduces the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time and raises the fuel utilization rate Uf of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2. Control the operation.
A specific example in which the operation control unit 16 raises the fuel utilization rate is the same as that described in Example 1 above.

[Example 3]
In Example 3, the combustion catalyst unit 12 becomes the fuel gas consumption unit 24. When the consumption state detection unit 20 has a catalyst temperature detection unit 14 that detects the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, the operation control unit 16 has the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 as the upper limit catalyst temperature. If it is higher than (for example, 220 ° C.), it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied. That is, in the operation control unit 16, when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature, the fuel gas consumption state of the fuel gas consumption unit 12 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 is inappropriate. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the improper state is eliminated by determining that the state is in the state and increasing the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time. ..

In Example 3, the fuel gas consumption state (inappropriate state) in which the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature is the amount of fuel gas consumed in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell 10 and the combustion in the combustion unit 11. Can be considered to be caused by the decrease in. For example, raw material fuel gas is supplied to the reforming unit 7, fuel gas is generated in the reforming unit 7, a power generation reaction is performed with the fuel gas, and a gas leak occurs while the fuel gas is burned. It is conceivable that the leaked gas is catalytically burned by the combustion catalyst unit 12, so that the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 becomes higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature. That is, when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature, a fuel gas shortage state (inappropriate state) occurs in the power generation reaction of the fuel cell 10 and the combustion in the combustion unit 11. It is possible that there is. Therefore, if the fuel utilization rate Uf is lowered, that is, if the supply amount of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time is increased without changing the output current of the fuel cell 10, the fuel cell It can be expected that the improper state will be resolved by approaching the elimination of the shortage of fuel gas in the power generation reaction of 10 and the combustion in the combustion unit 11. Therefore, in this Example 3, the operation control unit 16 of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 increases the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time and lowers the fuel utilization rate Uf. Control the operation.
A specific example when the operation control unit 16 reduces the fuel utilization rate is the same as that described in Example 1 above.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the description of the same configuration as that of the above embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell management system. As shown in the figure, the fuel cell management system includes a fuel cell device 30 and a server device 32 that can communicate with each other via an information communication line 31. Then, the server device 32 determines that the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is insufficient as described in the above embodiment is satisfied, and the source supplied to the reforming unit 7. It is configured to determine that the oversupply condition, which is an excess of fuel gas, is satisfied.
Although three fuel cell devices 30 (30A, 30B, 30C) are drawn in FIG. 4, the number of fuel cell devices 30 communicating with the server device 32 can be appropriately set.

The fuel cell device 30 is supplied with a reforming unit 7 that steam-reforms the raw fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, an anode 9a to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit 7 is supplied, and oxygen gas. The fuel cell 10 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 having the cathode 9b and the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode 9a after being used in the power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming unit is generated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24 for heating 7, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit 2 for adjusting the supply amount of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7, and the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit 24 The consumption state detection unit 20 that detects the consumption state and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode 9a with respect to the amount of raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of fuel gas supplied to the anode 9a. According to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve that defines the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of It is provided with an operation control unit 16 that adjusts the amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the vehicle per unit time.

The server device 32 is realized by using one or a plurality of computer devices having an information calculation processing function, an information input / output function, an information storage function, and the like.

[Fuel cell device 30]
The operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 is configured to perform detection result transmission processing, determination result reception processing, and supply amount adjustment processing, which will be described later.

The detection result transmission process performed by the operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 is a process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 to the server device 32. The consumption state detection unit 20 is the combustion temperature detection unit 13 that detects the temperature of the combustion unit 11 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, and the fuel cell 10 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, as described in the above embodiment. The output voltage detection unit 18 for detecting the output voltage, the catalyst temperature detection unit 14 for detecting the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12 as the fuel gas consumption unit 24, and the like. The operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 executes this transmission result transmission process at a predetermined timing, for example, once an hour or once a day. In the present embodiment, each fuel cell device 30 (30A, 30B, 30C) associates an identifier for identifying itself (for example, a MAC address) with the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20, and the server device 32. Send to. As a result, the server device 32 can determine from which fuel cell device 30 the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 is transmitted by using the above identifier.

The determination result reception process performed by the operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 is a process of receiving the determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device 32. Although the details will be described later, the detection result determination process performed by the server device 32 is supplied to the reforming unit 7 based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 in the detection result reception process. Insufficient raw material and fuel gas Satisfaction of supply shortage condition or excess of raw material and fuel gas supplied to reforming unit 7 Satisfaction of oversupply condition or both undersupply condition and oversupply condition This is a process of determining whether or not the condition is satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device 30 based on the determination content.

The supply amount adjustment process performed by the operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 is to increase the supply amount of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time based on the determination result received from the server device 32. , Control the operation of the raw fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 so that the fuel utilization rate is lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, or the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7. By reducing the supply amount per unit time, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjustment unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. is there.

As will be described later, for example, the determination result created by the server device 32 in the detection result determination process is information indicating the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or information indicating that the oversupply condition is satisfied. It contains information that indicates the result that both undersupply and oversupply conditions are not met. In that case, if the determination result received from the server device 32 in the supply amount adjusting process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel cell device 30 per unit time of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7. By increasing the supply amount of the fuel, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, and the server device 32 If the received determination result is that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve is reduced by reducing the supply amount of the raw fuel gas to the reforming unit 7 per unit time. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes higher than the target value of the rate.
That is, in this example, the operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 determines an appropriate characteristic curve of the fuel utilization rate (for example, the characteristic curves A and B in FIG. 2) by itself as in the above embodiment. , The determined fuel utilization characteristic curve is set as a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve.

Alternatively, as will be described later, in the detection result determination process, when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition, the fuel cell device 30 Information for lowering the fuel utilization rate than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in is included in the determination result transmitted to the fuel cell device 30, and the fuel is used in the detection result reception process. When the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the battery device 30 satisfies the oversupply condition, the fuel utilization rate is higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device 30. Information for increasing the fuel cell device 30 is included in the determination result transmitted to the fuel cell device 30. In that case, if the determination result received from the server device 32 includes information for lowering the fuel utilization rate in the supply amount adjustment process, the fuel cell device 30 has been set up to that point based on the information. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit 2 is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, and the determination result received from the server device 32 is the fuel utilization rate. If information is included to increase the fuel utilization rate, the raw material fuel will be higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the standard fuel utilization rate characteristic curve that has been set up to that point based on the information. Controls the operation of the supply amount adjusting unit 2.
That is, in this example, the server device 32 determines the characteristic curve of the appropriate fuel utilization rate to be set in the fuel cell device 30 (for example, the characteristic curves A and B in FIG. 2) and sets the fuel cell device 30. The operation control unit 16 of the fuel cell device 30 transmits and sets the characteristic curve of the fuel utilization rate received from the server device 32 as a new reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve.

As described above, in the present embodiment, based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20, the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are satisfied. Even if the fuel cell device 30 does not have the function of determining whether or not to be performed, the server device 32 can make such a determination. Then, the server device 32 transmits the determination result created based on the determined content to the fuel cell device 30, so that the fuel utilization rate set by the fuel cell device 30 can be set to an appropriate value.

[Server device 32]
The server device 32 is configured to perform detection result reception processing, detection result determination processing, and determination result transmission processing.

The detection result reception process performed by the server device 32 is a process of receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 from the fuel cell device 30. In the present embodiment, the server device 32 associates the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 with the identifier for identifying the fuel cell device 30 with each other (not shown). ) Etc. Further, the IP address of the fuel cell device 30 and the like may also be stored.

In the detection result determination process performed by the server device 32, the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is insufficient based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 in the detection result reception process. The fuel is determined by determining whether the undersupply condition is satisfied or the raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 is excessive, or the oversupply condition is satisfied, or both the undersupply condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied. This is a process of creating a determination result to be transmitted to the battery device 30 based on the determination content. Then, the server device 32 stores the determination result of the detection result determination process in a storage unit (not shown) or the like in association with the identifier for identifying the fuel cell device 30.

For example, the determination result created by the server device 32 in the detection result determination process is information indicating that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or supply shortage condition and supply. Contains information that indicates the result that both the overcondition and the overcondition are not met. As an example, the determination result created by the server device 32 in the detection result determination process includes a result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, a result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or a supply shortage condition and an oversupply condition. It may only include the result that both of the above are not satisfied.

Alternatively, the server device 32 is set in the fuel cell device 30 when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition in the detection result determination process. Information for lowering the fuel utilization rate than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve is included in the determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device 30, and received from the fuel cell device 30 in the detection result reception process. Information for making the fuel utilization rate higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device 30 when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 satisfies the oversupply condition. Is included in the determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device 30.
As an example, the server device 32 stores information regarding the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve currently set in each fuel cell device 30. Then, in the detection result determination process, the server device 32 has the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic set in the fuel cell device 30 when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 satisfies the supply shortage condition. Judgment to determine a new fuel utilization characteristic curve (for example, characteristic curve A in FIG. 2) for lowering the fuel utilization than the target value of the fuel utilization determined by the curve, and transmit it to the fuel cell device 30. Include in results. Further, in the detection result determination process, the server device 32 has a reference fuel utilization rate characteristic set in the fuel cell device 30 when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 received from the fuel cell device 30 satisfies the oversupply condition. A determination to determine a new fuel utilization characteristic curve (for example, characteristic curve B in FIG. 2) for making the fuel utilization higher than the target value of the fuel utilization determined by the curve, and transmit it to the fuel cell device 30. Include in results.

The determination result transmission process performed by the server device 32 is a process of transmitting the determination result of the detection result determination process to the fuel cell device 30. For example, the server device 32 can transmit the determination result of the detection result determination process to the fuel cell device 30 that has transmitted the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20 by using the IP address of the fuel cell device 30 or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fuel cell device 30 satisfies the supply shortage condition, the supply excess condition, or the supply shortage condition and the supply excess based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit 20. The server device 32 can make such a determination even if it does not have the function of determining whether both the conditions are satisfied. Then, the server device 32 transmits the determination result to the fuel cell device 30, so that the fuel utilization rate set by the fuel cell device 30 can be set to an appropriate value.

<Another Embodiment>
<1>
In the above embodiment, the configurations of the fuel cell device 30 and the fuel cell management system have been described with specific examples, but the configurations can be changed as appropriate.

<2>
In the above embodiment, the relationship between the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the fuel utilization rate Uf of the fuel cell 10 (FIG. 2), and the output current I of the fuel cell 10 and the reforming process in the reforming unit 7 are performed. The relationship with S / C (FIG. 3) has been described, but they are described for exemplification purposes and can be changed as appropriate.
Further, FIG. 2 shows a characteristic curve (characteristic curve B) having a fuel utilization rate higher than that of the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve and a characteristic curve (characteristic curve A) having a fuel utilization rate lower than that of the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. ), But in the present invention, a plurality of characteristic curves having a fuel utilization rate higher than the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve may be prepared in the fuel cell device 30, the server device 32, and the like. , A plurality of characteristic curves having a fuel utilization rate higher than the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve may be prepared in the fuel cell device 30, the server device 32, and the like.
Further, FIG. 2 illustrates characteristic curves A and B in which the fuel utilization rate is changed in the entire output current range, but the fuel utilization rate is specified only in a specific output current range (for example, near the rated output current). It may be a characteristic curve in which is changed.

<3>
An example of changing the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve itself to the characteristic curves A and B as illustrated in FIG. 2 when the fuel utilization rate is increased or decreased has been described above, but the method of changing the fuel utilization rate is that. It is not limited and can be set as appropriate.
For example, the amount of decrease in fuel utilization rate applied when the shortage condition is satisfied, stored in advance and increasing the amount of fuel utilization rate applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. Then, when the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve is obtained by subtracting the decrease amount of the fuel utilization rate from the provisional fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic in FIG. It is possible to determine the lower fuel utilization rate. Similarly, when the oversupply condition is satisfied, the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic is obtained by adding the increase amount of the fuel utilization rate to the provisional fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic in FIG. It is possible to determine the fuel utilization rate that is higher than the curve.

In addition, the amount of decrease and increase in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied and the oversupply condition are satisfied are not stored in advance, but are sent to the reforming unit 7. The amount of decrease and the amount of increase in the supply amount of raw material and fuel gas per unit time may be stored.
For example, the increase in the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 per unit time, which is applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and the modification, which is applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. The amount of decrease in the amount of raw material fuel gas supplied to the quality unit 7 per unit time is stored in advance. Then, when the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the amount of raw fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming unit 7 for satisfying the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic of FIG. 2 is tentatively determined. By adding the above increase amount to the provisional supply amount of the raw material fuel gas, the raw material fuel gas supply amount for lowering the fuel utilization rate can be finally determined. Alternatively, when the oversupply condition is satisfied, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit 7 for satisfying the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic of FIG. 2 is tentatively determined. By subtracting the above reduction amount from the provisional supply amount of the raw material fuel gas, the raw material fuel gas supply amount for increasing the fuel utilization rate can be finally determined.

The above-mentioned increase amount and decrease amount may be constant values or variable values. For example, when the above-mentioned increase amount and decrease amount are used as fluctuation values, the detection value of the consumption state detection unit 20 (for example, the temperature of the combustion unit 11, the output voltage of the fuel cell 10, the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12, etc.) and its reference. The relationship between the difference between the values and the amount of increase and decrease may be predetermined and stored. That is, the amount of increase and decrease is the difference between the detected value of the consumption state detection unit 20 (for example, the temperature of the combustion unit 11, the output voltage of the fuel cell 10, the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit 12, etc.) and the reference value thereof. It may be defined by a function.

<4>
In the above embodiment, the fuel cell device 30 and the fuel cell management system of the present invention have been described with specific numerical values for temperature, voltage, and the like, but these numerical values are described for exemplification purposes. The present invention is not limited to those numerical values.

<5>
The configurations disclosed in the above embodiment (including another embodiment) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction, and the present specification. The embodiments disclosed in the above are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for a fuel cell device in which an appropriate fuel utilization rate is set so that a fuel cell can be operated properly, and a fuel cell management system including the same.

1 Housing 2 Raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit 7 Remodeling unit 9a Anode 9b Cathode 10 Fuel cell (cell stack, fuel gas consumption unit)
11 Combustion unit 12 Combustion catalyst unit 13 Combustion temperature detection unit 14 Catalyst temperature detection unit (consumption state detection unit 20)
16 Operation control unit 18 Output voltage detection unit (consumption state detection unit 20)
20 Consumption state detector 24 Fuel gas consumption unit 30 Fuel cell device 32 Server device

Claims (12)

A reforming unit that steam reforms raw fuel gas to generate fuel gas containing hydrogen,
A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having an anode to which the fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied generated in the reforming part,
A combustion unit as a fuel gas consuming unit that burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction and heats the reforming unit by the combustion heat.
A raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit,
A consumption state detection unit that detects the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit,
Fuel utilization, which is the ratio of the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode to the amount of the raw material fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to one of the reference fuel utilization characteristic curves among a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the rate is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. It is equipped with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
The operation control unit controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. When increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
The operation control unit is based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit.
When it is determined that the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied , the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the plurality of the fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is lower than the value determined by is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. And
When it is determined that the oversupply condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied , the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve among the plurality of the fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than the determined value is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. Fuel cell device. A reforming unit that steam reforms raw fuel gas to generate fuel gas containing hydrogen,
A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having an anode to which the fuel gas is supplied and a cathode to which oxygen gas is supplied generated in the reforming part,
A combustion unit as a fuel gas consuming unit that burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction and heats the reforming unit by the combustion heat.
A raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit,
A consumption state detection unit that detects the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit,
Fuel utilization, which is the ratio of the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode to the amount of the raw material fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming part is controlled by controlling the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit according to the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve in which the target value of the rate is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. Equipped with an operation control unit that adjusts the amount of supply per hit
The operation control unit controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. When increasing the fuel utilization rate, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time.
Insufficient raw material and fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming part The amount of decrease in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and the supply in which the raw material and fuel gas to be supplied to the reforming part is excessive. The amount of increase in fuel utilization applied when the excess condition is satisfied is stored in advance.
The operation control unit is based on the detection result of the consumption state detection unit.
When it is determined that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit has a fuel utilization rate that is lower than the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve by the amount of decrease. Control the behavior of
When it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit increases the fuel utilization rate by the increase amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. Fuel cell device that controls the operation of. The consumption state detection unit has a combustion temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion unit.
The operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, and when the temperature of the combustion unit is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied. The consumption state detection unit has an output voltage detection unit that detects the output voltage of the fuel cell as the fuel gas consumption unit.
The operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, and the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage. The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied. A combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit that catalytically burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas exhausted from the inside of the housing containing the reforming unit, the fuel cell, and the combustion unit is provided.
The consumption state detection unit has a catalyst temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit.
The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation control unit determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature. Equipped with a fuel cell device and a server device that can communicate with each other
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The raw material fuel supply amount is adjusted according to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of one of a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the unit to adjust the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and the operation control unit is described in the case of reducing the fuel utilization rate. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material and fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the above to the reforming unit. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to reduce the amount of raw material and fuel gas supplied per unit time.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The determination result created by the server device in the detection result determination process is information indicating the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or the supply shortage. Contains information indicating the result that both the condition and the oversupply condition are not met.
When the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjusting process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel cell device uses fuel among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. Another fuel utilization characteristic curve whose rate is lower than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. When the determination result received from the server device that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization among the plurality of fuel utilization rate characteristic curves Another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the rate is higher than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve is set in the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. A fuel cell management system that controls the operation of the raw material / fuel supply amount adjusting unit. Equipped with a fuel cell device and a server device that can communicate with each other
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to be detected and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. The raw material fuel supply amount is adjusted according to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve of one of a plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves in which the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, is set as a function of the output current of the fuel cell. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the unit to adjust the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and the operation control unit is said to reduce the fuel utilization rate. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount of the raw material and fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the above to the reforming unit. By controlling the operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit so as to reduce the amount of raw material and fuel gas supplied per unit time,
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The server device is set by the fuel cell device when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition in the detection result determination process. As information for making the fuel utilization rate lower than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, the fuel utilization rate is the current reference fuel among the plurality of the fuel utilization rate characteristic curves. The determination result includes information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is lower than the value determined by the utilization characteristic curve, and the detection of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. When the result satisfies the oversupply condition, a plurality of pieces of information for making the fuel utilization rate higher than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device are used. The determination result includes information on another fuel utilization characteristic curve in which the fuel utilization is higher than that determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve.
In the fuel cell device, the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjusting process is determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve among the plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves. If it contains information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is lower than the value, set the other fuel utilization characteristic curve as a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve based on the information. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, and the determination result received from the server device is the fuel utilization rate among the plurality of fuel utilization characteristic curves. If it contains information about another fuel utilization characteristic curve that is higher than the value determined by the current reference fuel utilization characteristic curve, the other fuel utilization characteristic curve is based on the information. A fuel cell management system that sets a new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve and controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit according to the new reference fuel utilization characteristic curve. Equipped with a fuel cell device and a server device that can communicate with each other
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. According to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve that defines the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, as a function of the output current of the fuel cell, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled to the reforming unit. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas per unit time, and the operation control unit is provided with a unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount per unit, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time is decreased. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to cause the operation.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The determination result created by the server device in the detection result determination process is information indicating the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, information indicating the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied, or the supply shortage. Contains information indicating the result that both the condition and the oversupply condition are not met.
The fuel cell device stores in advance the amount of decrease in the fuel utilization rate applied when the supply shortage condition is satisfied and the amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. If the determination result received from the server device in the supply amount adjustment process is the result that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, the fuel utilization rate is determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate is lower than the value by the decrease amount, and the determination result received from the server device is the result that the oversupply condition is satisfied. In some cases, a fuel cell management system that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is increased by the increase amount from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve. .. Equipped with a fuel cell device and a server device that can communicate with each other
The fuel cell device is supplied with a reforming unit that steam-reforms the raw material fuel gas to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen, and an anode and an oxygen gas to which the fuel gas generated by the reforming unit is supplied. A fuel cell as a fuel gas consuming part having a cathode and the fuel gas contained in the discharged fuel gas discharged from the anode after being used in a power generation reaction are burned, and the reforming part is heated by the combustion heat. The combustion unit as the fuel gas consumption unit, the raw fuel supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit, and the consumption state of the fuel gas in the fuel gas consumption unit. The consumption state detection unit to detect and the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction at the anode with respect to the amount of the raw fuel gas corresponding to the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the anode. According to the reference fuel utilization characteristic curve that defines the target value of the fuel utilization rate, which is the ratio of the amount of gas, as a function of the output current of the fuel cell, the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled to the reforming unit. The operation control unit is provided with an operation control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas per unit time, and the operation control unit is provided with a unit time of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit when the fuel utilization rate is lowered. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to increase the supply amount per unit, and when the fuel utilization rate is increased, the supply amount of the raw material fuel gas to the reforming unit per unit time is decreased. The operation of the raw material and fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so as to cause the operation.
The operation control unit of the fuel cell device receives a determination result of a detection result transmission process of transmitting the detection result of the consumption state detection unit to the server device and a determination result of the detection result determination process performed by the server device. It is configured to perform a reception process and a supply amount adjustment process that controls the operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit based on the determination result received from the server device.
The server device is based on a detection result reception process for receiving the detection result of the consumption state detection unit from the fuel cell device and a detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process. Therefore, whether the supply shortage condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is insufficient is satisfied, or the supply excess condition in which the raw material fuel gas supplied to the reforming unit is excessive is satisfied, or the above. The detection result determination process for determining whether both the supply shortage condition and the oversupply condition are not satisfied and creating a determination result to be transmitted to the fuel cell device based on the determination content, and the detection result determination process. It is configured to perform the determination result transmission process of transmitting the determination result of the above to the fuel cell device.
The server device stores in advance the amount of decrease in fuel utilization applied when the undersupply condition is satisfied and the amount of increase in fuel utilization applied when the oversupply condition is satisfied. In the detection result determination process, when the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device in the detection result reception process satisfies the supply shortage condition, the fuel cell device is set. As information for lowering the fuel utilization rate than the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve, information on the reduction amount of the fuel utilization rate is included in the determination result, and the detection result reception process is performed. When the detection result of the consumption state detection unit received from the fuel cell device satisfies the excess supply condition, the target value of the fuel utilization rate determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve set in the fuel cell device. As information for increasing the fuel utilization rate, information on the amount of increase in the fuel utilization rate is included in the determination result.
When the determination result received from the server device includes information about the reduction amount for lowering the fuel utilization rate in the supply amount adjusting process, the fuel cell device is based on the information. The operation of the raw material fuel supply amount adjusting unit is controlled so that the fuel utilization rate becomes a fuel utilization rate that is reduced by the amount of decrease from the value determined by the reference fuel utilization rate characteristic curve that has been set up to that point. When the determination result received from the server device includes information about the increase amount for increasing the fuel utilization rate, the reference fuel for which the fuel utilization rate has been set up to that point is based on the information. A fuel cell management system that controls the operation of the raw material / fuel supply amount adjusting unit so that the fuel utilization rate is increased by the increase amount from the value determined by the utilization rate characteristic curve. The consumption state detection unit has a combustion temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion unit.
The server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion unit is lower than the lower limit combustion temperature, and when the temperature of the combustion unit is higher than the upper limit combustion temperature higher than the lower limit combustion temperature. The fuel cell management system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied. The consumption state detection unit has an output voltage detection unit that detects the output voltage of the fuel cell as the fuel gas consumption unit.
When the output voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the lower limit output voltage, the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied, and when the output voltage of the fuel cell is higher than the upper limit output voltage higher than the lower limit output voltage. The fuel cell management system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein it is determined that the oversupply condition is satisfied. The fuel cell device burns as the fuel gas consuming unit that catalytically burns the fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas exhausted from the inside of the housing that houses the reforming unit, the fuel cell, and the combustion unit. Equipped with a catalyst part
The consumption state detection unit has a catalyst temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit as the fuel gas consumption unit.
The fuel cell management system according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the server device determines that the supply shortage condition is satisfied when the temperature of the combustion catalyst unit is higher than the upper limit catalyst temperature.

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