JP7067293B2 - Hydrogen supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hydrogen supply system.

Demand for hydrogen is increasing as a fuel used for power generation such as fuel cells and as an industrial raw material. Hydrogen produced by a hydrogen production device or the like is supplied to a hydrogen consumption device such as a fuel cell vehicle. In Patent Document 1, a hydrogen production device, a hydrogen consumption device, and the like are communicated to a piping network for hydrogen supply via branch pipes, respectively.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-372199

Hydrogen circulating in the piping network may contain impurities due to a malfunction of the hydrogen production device or the like. In such a case, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cut off the hydrogen supply in the entire area of the piping network, and there is a problem that the hydrogen supply is stopped. Such a problem is not limited to the case where impurities are contained, but is a common problem when an arbitrary abnormality occurs in the flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system, such as when the hydrogen concentration decreases. For this reason, there has been a demand for a technique capable of suppressing the stoppage of hydrogen supply in the entire hydrogen flow path in the hydrogen supply system when an abnormality occurs in the flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system.

The present invention can be realized as the following forms.
[Form 1]
It is a hydrogen supply system that distributes hydrogen supplied from a plurality of hydrogen supply devices to one or a plurality of hydrogen consumption devices, and is arranged in a ring shape and communicates with a hydrogen flow path for circulating hydrogen and the hydrogen flow path. , A plurality of branch streams branched from a plurality of branch points provided in the hydrogen flow path and connected to at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply devices and the one or the plurality of hydrogen consuming devices which are different from each other. A hydrogen abnormality detecting device, which is arranged between two branch points adjacent to each other in the path and the hydrogen flow path and detects the hydrogen abnormality, and the hydrogen flow path sandwiching the branch point are arranged. A hydrogen supply system including a plurality of blocking portions, each of which is configured to be capable of blocking the hydrogen flow path independently.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a hydrogen supply system is provided. This hydrogen supply system is arranged in a ring shape and has a hydrogen flow path through which hydrogen flows; and a plurality of branch flow paths that communicate with the hydrogen flow path and branch from a plurality of branch points provided in the hydrogen flow path; A hydrogen abnormality detection device arranged between two branch points adjacent to each other in the hydrogen flow path to detect the hydrogen abnormality; and a plurality of cutoffs arranged across the branch point in the hydrogen flow path. It is provided with a blocking unit, which is configured to be capable of blocking the hydrogen flow path independently of each other. According to this form of hydrogen supply system, in an annular hydrogen flow path in which a plurality of branch flow paths branch, a hydrogen anomaly detection device arranged between two branch points adjacent to each other and a branch point are arranged across the branch point. Since it is provided with a plurality of cut-off parts that are configured to be able to cut off the hydrogen flow path independently, when an abnormality is detected by the hydrogen abnormality detection device, the hydrogen abnormality detection that detects the abnormality is provided. It is possible to cut off the hydrogen flow path only in a part of the cutoffs in the vicinity of the device. Therefore, it is possible to continue the flow of hydrogen in the channel portion of the hydrogen channel including the blocking portion that has not been interrupted. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the hydrogen flow path as the flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system, it is possible to suppress the stoppage of hydrogen supply in the entire hydrogen flow path in the hydrogen supply system.
The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the hydrogen supply system. For example, it can be realized in the form of a hydrogen supply method, a hydrogen station provided with a hydrogen supply system, or the like.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of a hydrogen supply system schematically. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the situation where an abnormality was detected. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the hydrogen supply system of 2nd Embodiment schematically. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the hydrogen supply system of 3rd Embodiment schematically.

A. First Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an outline of a hydrogen supply system as an embodiment of the present invention. The hydrogen supply system 10 is configured as a network for distributing hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 to the hydrogen consumption device 70. The hydrogen supply system 10 includes a hydrogen flow path 20 and a branch flow path 30 as hydrogen flow paths in the hydrogen supply system 10, a hydrogen abnormality detection device 40, a cutoff unit 50, and a control device 80.

The hydrogen flow path 20 is composed of pipes arranged in an annular shape to circulate hydrogen. The hydrogen flow path 20 is provided with a plurality of branch points 25. A plurality of branch flow paths 30 are provided, and each branch is branched from the branch point 25. Each branch flow path 30 is composed of a pipe and communicates with the hydrogen flow path 20 and also communicates with the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 or the hydrogen consumption device 70. The hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 correspond to a hydrogen production device for producing hydrogen and a hydrogen storage device for storing the produced hydrogen. The hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 may have the same configuration or different configurations from each other. The hydrogen consuming device 70 corresponds to a device such as a fuel cell arranged in a factory or a home. The hydrogen consuming device 70 may include a hydrogen filling device arranged in a hydrogen station or the like to fill a fuel cell vehicle or the like with hydrogen.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, six branch flow paths 30 that branch from the hydrogen flow path 20 are represented, but the number of branch flow paths 30 is not limited to six and may be any number. good. Further, in FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, two hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 and four hydrogen consumption devices 70 communicating with each branch flow path 30 are shown, but the numbers thereof are two or four, respectively. The number is not limited to and may be any number. Further, the flow path may be further branched from the branch flow path 30, and other hydrogen supply devices 61, 62 and a hydrogen consumption device 70 may be connected to the branch destination.

A plurality of hydrogen abnormality detecting devices 40 are arranged on the hydrogen flow path 20, and detect an abnormality of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen flow path 20. As hydrogen abnormalities, impurities such as air, fine particles, and water are mixed in when hydrogen is produced by the hydrogen production apparatus, the purity of hydrogen is lowered due to a malfunction of the purification unit of the hydrogen production apparatus, and the hydrogen is arranged on the hydrogen flow path 20. This includes clogging of a filter (not shown) for removing fine particles and the like, leakage of hydrogen due to cracks in the pipe constituting the hydrogen flow path 20, and the like. In the present embodiment, one hydrogen anomaly detection device 40 is arranged between two branch points 25 adjacent to each other. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 is composed of a hydrogen concentration sensor. In addition, instead of the hydrogen concentration sensor, it may be configured by any sensor capable of detecting an abnormality in hydrogen, such as a pressure sensor. The hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 transmits an output signal indicating the detection result of the sensor to the control device 80.

A plurality of blocking portions 50 are arranged on the hydrogen flow path 20, and each of them is configured to be able to cut off the hydrogen flow path 20 independently. In the present embodiment, one blocking unit 50 is arranged between each branch point 25 and each hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40. Therefore, a plurality of blocking portions 50 are arranged with each branch point 25 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the blocking unit 50 is configured by an electromagnetic shut-off valve, but is configured by any kind of blocking device capable of blocking the hydrogen flow path 20, such as an electric type, instead of the electromagnetic type. You may. The blocking unit 50 is opened in a normal state in which an abnormality in hydrogen is not detected, and is closed in response to a closing command from the control device 80.

The control device 80 is a computer including a CPU and a storage device, and is configured as an electronic control unit. The control device 80 receives the output signal from each hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 and transmits a closing command signal to the cutoff unit 50. As a result, the control device 80 controls the interruption of the hydrogen flow path 20. The control device 80 may be configured to be able to communicate with the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 and the hydrogen consumption device 70, respectively. Further, the control device 80 is arbitrary related to the supply of hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system 10, such as control of the hydrogen production amount in the hydrogen production device as the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62, control of the hydrogen storage amount in the hydrogen storage device, and the like. It may be configured to be controllable.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which an abnormality is detected. In the situation shown in FIG. 2, among the plurality of hydrogen abnormality detecting devices 40, an abnormality is detected in two hydrogen abnormality detecting devices 40 adjacent to each other, which are described as “abnormality detection”. The hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 in which the abnormality is detected transmits a signal indicating the hydrogen abnormality to the control device 80. When the control device 80 receives the signal indicating the abnormality of hydrogen, the control device 80 transmits a signal indicating a closing command to two blocking units 50 adjacent to each other across the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 to which the signal indicating the abnormality is transmitted. do. In the example of FIG. 2, a signal indicating a closing command is transmitted to the four blocking units 50 described as “closed”, and the blocking unit 50 is closed. Therefore, the hydrogen flow in the region including the four blocking portions 50 of the annularly arranged hydrogen flow paths 20 is blocked, and the hydrogen flow in the branch flow path 30 branching from the branch point 25 included in the region. Is blocked. Further, in the hydrogen flow path 20 arranged in a ring shape, the hydrogen flow is continued in the region other than between the four blocking portions 50 and in all the branch flow paths 30 branched from the region. That is, in FIG. 2, the flow of hydrogen in the branch flow path 30 communicating with the hydrogen supply device 61 and a part of the hydrogen flow path 20 adjacent to the branch flow path 30 is cut off in the network of the hydrogen supply system 10. On the other hand, hydrogen flow is continued in the flow path portion of the hydrogen flow path 20 including the cutoff portion 50 that has not been cut off. In the situation shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen supply device 61 may be a source of an abnormality due to a problem such as contamination of impurities during hydrogen production. In a configuration in which the control device 80 and the hydrogen supply device 61 can communicate with each other, the control device 80 may send an instruction to the hydrogen supply device 61 to carry out an inspection of the hydrogen supply device 61.

According to the hydrogen supply system 10 of the present embodiment described above, the hydrogen abnormality detection device is arranged between two branch points 25 adjacent to each other in the annular hydrogen flow path 20 in which a plurality of branch flow paths 30 branch. Since the 40 is provided with a plurality of blocking portions 50 arranged so as to sandwich the branch point 25 and each of which is configured to be capable of blocking the hydrogen flow path 20 independently, an abnormality is caused by the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40. When is detected, only a part of the blocking portions 50 in the vicinity of the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 that has detected the abnormality can be made to shut off the hydrogen flow path 20. Therefore, the hydrogen flow can be continued in the flow path portion of the hydrogen flow path 20 including the cutoff portion 50 that has not been cut off. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the hydrogen flow path 20 as the flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system 10, it is possible to suppress the stoppage of hydrogen supply in the entire hydrogen flow path in the hydrogen supply system 10. Therefore, it is possible to suppress that the supply of hydrogen is completely stopped and the hydrogen cannot be used, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the convenience of the user. In addition, since the flow of hydrogen in the flow path where the abnormality has occurred is blocked, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the range of occurrence of the abnormality.

Further, since a plurality of blocking portions 50 are arranged with the branch point 25 interposed therebetween, it is possible to block the flow path including the branch flow path 30 communicating with the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 which may be a source of abnormality. .. Therefore, it is possible to limit the region where the hydrogen supply is stopped and further suppress the expansion of the range of occurrence of the abnormality. Further, since one blocking unit 50 is arranged between each branch point 25 and each hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40, the hydrogen flow path 20 can be blocked only in the range where the abnormality is detected. Therefore, the region where the hydrogen flow is blocked can be limited, the hydrogen flow can be suppressed from being blocked at a place where no abnormality is detected, and the hydrogen flow can be suppressed from being blocked in an excessively wide range. ..

Further, in a situation where a hydrogen abnormality is detected in one hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 on the hydrogen flow path 20, the abnormality is detected by closing the blocking portions 50 arranged on both sides of the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40. The hydrogen flow path 20 can be blocked only in the specified range. Therefore, the region where the flow of hydrogen is blocked can be limited, and the flow of hydrogen in the branch flow path 30 can be suppressed from being blocked.

Further, since a plurality of hydrogen abnormality detecting devices 40 and a plurality of blocking units 50 are arranged, the blocking units 50 located on both sides of the inspection site are closed during the hydrogen leakage inspection in the hydrogen flow path 20. , The hydrogen flow path 20 can be blocked in a relatively narrow region where the inspection is carried out, and the hydrogen flow can be continued in the region where the inspection is not carried out. Further, when the filter arranged on the hydrogen flow path 20 to remove fine particles and the like and a part of the pipe constituting the hydrogen flow path 20 are replaced, the blocking portions 50 located on both sides of the filter and the pipe are closed. As a result, the hydrogen flow path 20 can be blocked in a relatively narrow region where the exchange is performed, and the hydrogen flow can be continued in the region where the exchange is not performed. Therefore, even when the hydrogen flow path 20 is inspected and maintained, it is possible to suppress the stoppage of hydrogen supply in the entire flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system 10.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an outline of the hydrogen supply system 10a of the second embodiment. The hydrogen supply system 10a of the second embodiment is the hydrogen of the first embodiment in that in the hydrogen flow path 20, one cutoff portion 50 is arranged between two branch points 25 adjacent to each other. Different from the supply system 10. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the situation shown in FIG. 3, among the plurality of hydrogen abnormality detecting devices 40, an abnormality is detected in one hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 described as “abnormality detection”. The hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 in which the abnormality is detected transmits a signal indicating the hydrogen abnormality to the control device 80. When the control device 80 receives the signal indicating the abnormality of hydrogen, the control device 80 transmits a signal indicating a closing command to the blocking units 50 adjacent to each other across the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 to which the signal indicating the abnormality is transmitted. .. In the example of FIG. 3, a signal indicating a closing command is transmitted to the two blocking units 50 described as “closed”, and the blocking unit 50 is closed. Therefore, the hydrogen flow in the region including the two blocking portions 50 of the annularly arranged hydrogen flow paths 20 is blocked, and the hydrogen flow in the branch flow path 30 branching from the branch point 25 included in the region. Is blocked. Further, in the hydrogen flow path 20 arranged in a ring shape, the hydrogen flow is continued in the region other than between the two blocking portions 50 and in all the branch flow paths 30 branched from the region. That is, in FIG. 3, the flow of hydrogen in the branch flow path 30 communicating with the hydrogen supply device 61 and a part of the hydrogen flow path 20 adjacent to the branch flow path 30 is cut off in the network of the hydrogen supply system 10. On the other hand, the hydrogen flow is continued in the flow path portion including the blocking portion 50 in which the blocking is not executed.

According to the hydrogen supply system 10a of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the hydrogen supply system 10 of the first embodiment is obtained. In addition, since one blocking section 50 is arranged between the two branch points 25 adjacent to each other, the number of blocking sections 50 installed can be suppressed.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an outline of the hydrogen supply system 10b of the third embodiment. The hydrogen supply system 10b of the third embodiment is different from the hydrogen supply system 10 of the first embodiment in that the annular hydrogen flow path 21b is further arranged so as to surround the annular hydrogen flow path 20. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hydrogen supply system 10b includes a double annular network with two annular hydrogen channels 20, 21b. The plurality of branch flow paths 30b communicate the hydrogen flow path 20 and the hydrogen flow path 21b. Therefore, the end of each branch flow path 30b on the opposite side of the branch point 25 is located at the branch point 22b that branches from the hydrogen flow path 21b to the hydrogen flow path 20 side. Further, the hydrogen flow path 21b is provided with a plurality of branch points 23b different from the branch points 22b, and the branch flow paths 31b are branched from the plurality of branch points 22b. Each branch flow path 31b communicates with the hydrogen flow path 21b and also communicates with the hydrogen supply devices 61, 62 or the hydrogen consumption device 70. In the present embodiment, in the hydrogen flow path 21b, one hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 is arranged between two branch points 23b adjacent to each other, and one cutoff is provided between the branch point 22b and the branch point 23b. The unit 50 is arranged.

According to the hydrogen supply system 10b of the third embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the hydrogen supply system 10 of the first embodiment is obtained. In addition, since it is provided with a double annular network consisting of two annular hydrogen channels 20 and 21b, the hydrogen channel 20 or hydrogen is provided only in a part of the cutoff portion 50 in the vicinity of the hydrogen anomaly detection device 40 that has detected an abnormality. The flow path 21b can be shut off. Therefore, the flow of hydrogen can be continued in the flow path portion including the cutoff portion 50 that has not been cut off. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the stoppage of hydrogen supply in the entire flow path constituting the hydrogen supply system 10. Further, since a double annular network consisting of two annular hydrogen channels 20 and 21b is provided, the hydrogen channels 20 and 21b are distributed according to the type of hydrogen to be circulated, for example, for low-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure hydrogen. You can use it properly.

D. Other embodiments:
(1) In the hydrogen supply systems 10, 10a and 10b of the above embodiment, the branch flow paths 30 and 31b are connected to either one of the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 and the hydrogen consumption device 70. , The mode may be connected to both the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 and the hydrogen consumption device 70. According to such an embodiment, for example, hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply devices 61 and 62 can be supplied to the hydrogen consumption device 70 connected to the same branch flow paths 30 and 31b, and the branch flow paths 30 and 31b and the hydrogen flow can be supplied. It can be supplied to the hydrogen consuming device 70 connected to the other branch flow paths 30 and 31b via the paths 20 and 21b. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

(2) The arrangement positions of the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 and the blocking unit 50 in the hydrogen supply systems 10, 10a and 10b of the above embodiment are merely examples and can be changed in various ways. For example, the hydrogen abnormality detection device 40 may be further arranged on the branch points 22b, 23b, 25. Further, for example, the hydrogen abnormality detecting device 40 may be further arranged on the branch flow paths 30 and 31b. Further, for example, the blocking portion 50 may be further arranged on the branch flow paths 30 and 31b. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

(3) The blocking unit 50 arranged in the hydrogen supply systems 10, 10a, and 10b of the above embodiment is composed of an electromagnetic shut-off valve and is closed in response to a closing command from the control device 80. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured by a manual shut-off valve, the control device 80 may be omitted, and the shutoff unit 50 may be closed by a manual operation by an operator. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

(4) The hydrogen supply system 10b of the third embodiment is provided with a double annular network, but may be provided with an arbitrary number of annular networks such as not only double but also triple. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the column of the outline of the invention are for solving a part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or one of the above-mentioned effects. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve the part or all. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

10, 10a, 10b ... Hydrogen supply system, 20, 21b ... Hydrogen flow path, 22b, 23b, 25 ... Branch point, 30, 30b, 31b ... Branch flow path, 40 ... Hydrogen abnormality detector, 50 ... Blocker, 61 , 62 ... Hydrogen supply device, 70 ... Hydrogen consumption device, 80 ... Control device

Claims (1)

A hydrogen supply system that distributes hydrogen supplied from multiple hydrogen supply devices to one or more hydrogen consumption devices .
A hydrogen flow path that is arranged in a ring and distributes hydrogen,
Communicating with the hydrogen flow path, branching from a plurality of branch points provided in the hydrogen flow path, and at least one device different from each other among the plurality of hydrogen supply devices and the one or the plurality of hydrogen consumption devices, respectively. With multiple branch channels connected
In the hydrogen flow path, a hydrogen abnormality detecting device arranged between two branching points adjacent to each other and detecting the hydrogen abnormality, and a hydrogen abnormality detecting device.
A plurality of blocking portions arranged across the branch point in the hydrogen flow path, each of which is configured to be able to cut off the hydrogen flow path independently.
A hydrogen supply system.

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