JP7391758B2 - fuel cell system - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act October 31, 2020 Remote control instruction manual (Bathroom remote control FC-718-SO-FN) (Kitchen remote control MC-H718F-SOEN-FN) (Extension remote control SC-717EL)

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and particularly to a cogeneration fuel cell system that supplies thermal energy along with electrical energy.

Conventionally, in fuel cell systems, a cogeneration system has been proposed in which power is generated using a fuel cell, water is heated using exhaust heat from the fuel cell, and heat is stored in a hot water storage tank. The amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank that exceeds a predetermined temperature varies depending on the amount of hot water used and the state of power generation.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a display unit that displays a level corresponding to an operation on a temperature adjustment switch. However, there is no display according to the water temperature in the tank. Users are required to provide indicators regarding the appropriate use of hot water.

Patent No. 6502562

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide the user with an indicator of appropriate hot water usage based on the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank.

The fuel cell system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a fuel cell module that generates electricity using gas fuel, a hot water storage tank that stores water heated using exhaust heat from the fuel cell module, and a hot water storage tank that stores water heated using exhaust heat from the fuel cell module. The system includes a thermometer that measures the temperature of hot water in the tank, and a display control unit that controls display of a heat storage state on a heat storage display unit based on the temperature of the hot water and the temperature of the tap water measured by the thermometer. .

According to the fuel cell system according to the first aspect, the heat storage state is displayed on the heat storage display section based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank and the temperature of the tap water. Therefore, an appropriate hot water usage index can be shown to the user based not only on the simple water temperature in the hot water storage tank but also on the basis of the tap water and the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 1 of the present invention, the display control section sets a temperature ΔT°C higher than the water temperature as a first reference temperature, and sets a temperature higher than the first reference temperature as a second reference temperature. Then, three heat storage state displays are distinguished: a low temperature display lower than the first reference temperature, a medium temperature display higher than the first reference temperature and lower than the second reference temperature, and a high temperature display higher than the second reference temperature. Separately, it is displayed on the heat storage display section.

According to the fuel cell system according to the first aspect , the heat storage display section displays a low temperature display, a medium temperature display, and a high temperature display in a distinguished manner. The low temperature display is a display corresponding to a temperature lower than the first reference temperature which is higher than the tap water temperature by ΔT°C. The medium temperature display is a display corresponding to a temperature that is higher than the first reference temperature and lower than or equal to the second reference temperature, which is higher than the first reference temperature. The high temperature display is a display of a temperature higher than the second reference temperature.

By displaying the temperature differently in this way, it is possible to more clearly and appropriately show the hot water usage index to the user.

In the fuel cell system according to claim 2 of the present invention, the ΔT°C is within a range of 0°C to 60°C.

By setting the first reference temperature within a range ΔT°C higher than the tap water temperature, when a low temperature is displayed on the heat storage display section, the amount of heat storage is low and the hot water is not suitable for use. It can be shown that

In the fuel cell system according to claim 3 of the present invention, the second reference temperature is within a range of 32°C to 75°C.

By setting the second reference temperature within such a range, when a high temperature is displayed on the heat storage display section, the amount of heat storage is large and it is proposed to actively use hot water. It can be shown that there is.

The fuel cell system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the heat storage display section displays the heat storage state by changing colors for the same display portion.

According to the fuel cell system according to the fourth aspect , by using different colors, it is possible to display the heat storage state in an easy-to-understand manner.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the user with an indicator regarding the appropriate use of hot water based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation remote control according to the present embodiment. It is a flow chart of heat storage state display processing concerning this embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, an example of the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system 10 according to this embodiment.

The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell unit 12. A hot water storage tank 14 is attached to the fuel cell unit 12, and the fuel cell system 10 is a so-called cogeneration system.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the fuel cell unit 12 is provided with the hot water storage tank 14 as an example, the fuel cell unit 12 and the hot water storage tank 14 may be separate units.

The fuel cell unit 12 includes a controller 16, a desulfurizer 20, a fuel cell (FC) module 22, an inverter 28, a heat exchanger 30, and a hot water storage tank 14.

The desulfurizer 20 removes sulfur content and sulfur compounds contained in the gas (for example, city gas 13A) supplied from the gas supply pipe 18.

The fuel cell module 22 has a reforming section and a power generation section inside. In the reforming section, the gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 20 is reformed into a gas containing hydrogen as a main component. The power generation section uses hydrogen to generate electricity. Electric power from the power generation section of the fuel cell module 22 is converted into alternating current by an inverter 28, and then consumed by power loads such as the home appliances 24 (home appliances) and lighting 26 in the house 48.

Hot water is stored in the hot water tank 14. The hot water is heated by heat exchange with the high temperature exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module 22 in the heat exchanger 30. Through direct or indirect heat exchange, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 is used for hot water supply to the hot water supply equipment 49 (shower, bath, sink, etc.) inside the house 48, and for heating in floor heating, air conditioning equipment, etc. Used as a replacement. By using the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14 in this way, the heat generated during power generation can be used, so compared to the case where hot water is heated separately using fuel for hot water supply and heat exchange. , resulting in energy savings.

(Configuration of controller 16)

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 16 includes a CPU 34, a RAM 36, a ROM 38, a storage 35, an I/O 40, and buses such as a data bus and a control bus that connect these. The ROM 38 stores data such as a program for heat storage status display processing to be described later, a first reference temperature T1, a second reference temperature T2, and the like.

A controlled device 12D of the fuel cell unit 12 is connected to the I/O 40. Under the control of the controller 16, each operation of the controlled device 12D is controlled. Further, a remote control panel 46, a tank thermometer 15, and a water thermometer 17 are connected to the I/O 40.

The remote control panel 46 is installed inside a house 48 (see FIG. 1) in which the fuel cell system 10 is installed, and has functions for the user to input commands regarding the fuel cell system 10 and for controlling the fuel cell system 10. It has a function to display the status. On the remote control panel 46, the heat storage state in the hot water storage tank 14 is displayed on a heat storage display section 66 (see FIG. 3).

The tank thermometer 15 is provided in the hot water storage tank 14 and measures the temperature of the upper part of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14. Let the temperature measured by the tank thermometer 15 be the tank hot water temperature W1. The water thermometer 17 measures the temperature of the water. The tap water here may be tap water that is directly supplied to the hot water storage tank 14, or tap water that is heated by heat exchange with hot water in the hot water storage tank 14. As long as the water thermometer 17 can measure the temperature of the water heated by the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14, it may be installed in a pipe that supplies water directly to the hot water storage tank 14, or it may be installed in other equipment. It may also be installed at a location where the temperature of tap water supplied to a water heater (for example, a backup water heater) can be measured. Let the temperature measured by the water supply thermometer 17 be the water supply temperature W2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a microcomputer meter 50 is attached to the gas supply pipe 18. A branch B1 is provided on the downstream side of the microcomputer meter 50, one branch pipe 18A supplies gas to the fuel cell unit 12, and the other branch pipe 18B supplies gas equipment in the house 48 (stove 52, gas gas is supplied to the fan heater 54, etc.).

The microcomputer meter 50 measures the flow rate of gas to be supplied, and also has multiple functions for monitoring abnormalities in gas supply (abnormal outflow monitoring function, seismic sensing function, pressure monitoring function, long-term use monitoring function, trace leakage monitoring function). etc.).

Here, the first reference temperature T1, the second reference temperature T2, and the heat storage state will be explained. The first reference temperature T1 is a temperature higher than the tap water temperature W2 by ΔT°C. ΔT° C. is set so that the amount of heat obtained by preheating the tap water is comparable to the cost (power consumption of auxiliary equipment) required for the preheating or the energy required for the preheating. ΔT°C is preferably within the range of 0°C to 60°C.

Further, the second reference temperature T2 is a temperature higher than the first reference temperature T1, and is the lowest temperature for dispensing hot water at the hot water supply set temperature. The second reference temperature T2 is preferably within the range of 32°C to 75°C. The first reference temperature T1 and the second reference temperature T2 are used for determination in a heat storage status display process to be described later.

The heat storage state of the hot water storage tank is displayed on the heat storage display section 66 of the remote control panel 46, and the tank hot water temperature W1 measured by the tank thermometer 15 is low temperature display L, which is lower than the first reference temperature T1, and the first reference temperature T1. In the above, three types of display are distinguished: medium temperature display M lower than the second reference temperature T2, and high temperature display H higher than the second reference temperature T2. In this embodiment, as an example, the low temperature display L is displayed in blue, the medium temperature display M is displayed in yellow, and the high temperature display H is displayed in red. Note that the three different heat storage states may be displayed in other than colors. For example, the display may be distinguished by the alphabets "L, M, H" or by "low, medium, high".

FIG. 3 is a front view of the remote control panel 46 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the remote control panel 46 has a rectangular appearance, and a touch panel section 64 is arranged on the top of the main panel 56.

The touch panel section 64 displays the time, driving status, set numerical values, etc., and also has a touch pad section that overlaps part or all of the display surface and can recognize the user's touch operations. It looks like this. In FIG. 3, the display on the main panel 56 is an example of a driving status screen, and the main panel 56 can be switched to various other screens by touching the "screen switch" button on the touch pad.

Further, the main panel 56 below the touch panel section 64 serves as an arrangement area 68 for a plurality of operation switch groups. The operation switch group is a so-called hard switch, and includes an array of operation switches related to hot water supply and power generation.

In the remote control panel 46 shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement position, number, function, shape, etc. of the touch panel section 64 and the operation switch group may be changed depending on the model, year, version, etc. The shape of the panel 46 is not limited.

Next, heat storage state display processing in the fuel cell system 10 of this embodiment will be described. The heat storage state display process is continuously performed based on the flow shown in FIG. 4 while the fuel cell system 10 is in operation.

First, in step S12, the blue color of the low temperature indicator L is displayed on the heat storage display section 66, and in step S14, the tank hot water temperature W1 is acquired and it is determined whether the tank hot water temperature W1 is lower than the first reference temperature T1. . If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S12 and the low temperature display L continues. If the determination is negative, that is, if the acquired tank hot water temperature W1 is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature T1, the medium temperature display M is displayed in yellow on the heat storage display section 66 in step S16.

Next, in step S18, the tank hot water temperature W1 is obtained and it is determined whether the tank hot water temperature W1 is lower than the first reference temperature T1-T0°C. T0°C here is set at about 2°C to 3°C. As a result, even if there is a variation or a temperature drop of about 2° C. to 3° C. in the tap water temperature or the tank hot water temperature W1, the heat storage display is maintained and a stable display can be performed.

If the determination in step S18 is affirmative, the process returns to step S12 and a low temperature display L is performed.

If the determination in step S18 is negative, in step S20, the tank hot water temperature W1 is acquired and it is determined whether the tank hot water temperature W1 is lower than the second reference temperature T2. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S16 and the medium temperature display M continues. If the determination is negative, that is, if the acquired tank hot water temperature W1 is equal to or higher than the second reference temperature T2, the red color of the high temperature display H is displayed on the heat storage display section 66 in step S22.

Next, in step S24, the tank hot water temperature W1 is obtained and it is determined whether the tank hot water temperature W1 is lower than the second reference temperature T2-T0°C. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S16 and a medium temperature display M is performed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S22 and the high temperature display H continues.

In the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, heat storage is displayed based not only on the tank hot water temperature W1 but also on a temperature (first reference temperature T1) that takes into account the tap water temperature W2, so a more appropriate hot water usage index is displayed. can be shown to the user. For example, when the heat storage display section 66 displays the red color of high temperature display H, it is recommended that the user actively use hot water. In addition, if the yellow medium temperature display M is displayed on the heat storage display section 66, it is possible to use hot water while saving energy, but it is recommended that you refrain from using a large amount of hot water, such as when filling a bath. Ru. Further, when the blue color of the low temperature indicator L is displayed on the heat storage display section 66, it is recommended to use the hot water after a while.

Generally, when supplying hot water, there are two options: whether the backup heat source machine heats the tap water independently (A), or whether the backup heat source machine heats the tap water after preheating the tap water with hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 (B). Control takes place. In this case, when switching the control of (A) and (B) according to the temperature difference between the tank hot water temperature W1 and the tap water temperature W2, by setting the temperature difference to ΔT°C, the first reference temperature It can be linked with T1.

Furthermore, by displaying the heat storage state on the heat storage display section 66 using different colors, it is possible to display the heat storage state in an easy-to-understand manner.

In this embodiment, the heat storage state is displayed as being classified into three types, but it may be displayed as classified into two types, or may be displayed as classified into four or more types.

10 Fuel cell system 14 Hot water storage tank 16 Controller 22 Fuel cell module W1 Tank hot water temperature W2 Water supply temperature T1 First reference temperature T2 Second reference temperature L Low temperature display M Medium temperature display H High temperature display

Claims (4)

A fuel cell module that generates electricity using gas fuel,
a hot water storage tank that stores heated water using exhaust heat from the fuel cell module;
a thermometer that measures the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank;
a display control unit that controls display of a heat storage state on a heat storage display unit based on the temperature of the hot water and the temperature of the tap water measured by the thermometer;
Equipped with
The display control unit is configured to display a low temperature display lower than the first reference temperature when a temperature higher than the tap water temperature by ΔT° C. is a first reference temperature and a temperature higher than the first reference temperature is a second reference temperature; Distinguishing and displaying three heat storage status displays on the heat storage display section: a medium temperature display that is higher than the first reference temperature and lower than the second reference temperature, and a high temperature display that is higher than the second reference temperature;
fuel cell system. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the ΔT°C is within a range of 0°C to 60°C. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reference temperature is within a range of 32°C to 75°C. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the heat storage display unit displays the heat storage state by changing colors for the same display portion.