JP7455723B2 - Fuel cell system, control device, and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, a control device, and a control program, and more particularly to a fuel cell system, a control device, and a control program that can supply electric power and hot water.

A conventional fuel cell system detects an obstacle approaching an air intake port of a fuel cell unit, and issues a warning after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the detection of the obstacle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, when an alarm signal is input, the first display screen that displays both thermal information and alarm information is displayed on the display means, and the operation means operates while the first display screen is displayed. In some cases, the display means displays a second display screen that displays both alarm information and alarm detailed information (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In addition, there is also a system that uses an alarm to notify predetermined information when the power generation system is not malfunctioning and the period during which the power generation system is not generating power exceeds a predetermined first period. (For example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-103167 WO2012/063380 publication JP2014-049218A

By the way, if the power generation unit stops due to an error, if at least one of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path has an error that may cause a failure, maintenance work (repairs) may be required if the temperature of the power generation unit is high. (including) cannot be performed. Therefore, even if the user notices the error and contacts the call center after the error has stopped, and the person in charge of the work is able to rush to the site immediately, maintenance work cannot be performed until the temperature of the power generation unit drops to a certain extent. In this case, the person in charge of the work may have to wait at the site or be dispatched again, which increases the burden on the user and the person in charge of the work. In other words, when the power generation unit stops due to an error, it is not sufficient to immediately notify the error for all types of errors, but it is desirable to notify the error at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error.

None of the conventional techniques described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3 take into account notification of an error at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a fuel cell system, a control device, and a control device that can notify an error at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error when a power generation unit stops due to an error. and a control program.

In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell system according to a first aspect is provided with a fuel cell module that generates electricity, and a gas path, a reformed water path, and an air path connected to the fuel cell module. a control device including a control unit that performs control to notify the error when the fuel cell unit is stopped due to an error, and the control unit determines the type of the error. If the error is an error that may cause a failure in at least one of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path, the temperature of the fuel cell unit may fall below a predetermined temperature. If the error is a predetermined error that affects safety with respect to gas leakage or other problems, or if it is a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage status, control is performed to notify the error. If an error occurs, control is performed to immediately notify the error.

According to the fuel cell system according to the first aspect, when the fuel cell unit stops due to an error, the error can be notified at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error.

Specifically, if the error is an error that may cause a failure in at least one of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path, the temperature of the fuel cell unit has fallen below a predetermined temperature. Errors can be reported from.
In addition, if the error is a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or others, or if it is a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage conditions, we will immediately notify you. Errors can be reported.

In the fuel cell system according to the second aspect, the control unit determines that the error is not a predetermined error that affects safety with respect to gas leakage or the like, or that the error is caused by the user's usage conditions. If it is not a predetermined error, the temperature of the fuel cell unit falls below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system. After that, control is performed to notify the error.

According to the fuel cell system according to the second aspect, if the error is not an error predetermined to affect safety with respect to gas leakage or others, or if it is caused by the usage condition of the user, If it is not an error, the error occurs after the internal temperature of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or that allows the fuel cell system to be restarted. can be notified.

In the fuel cell system according to the third aspect, the fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells having an electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode, and an air electrode are stacked, and a gas containing a hydrocarbon raw material for reforming. a reformer, wherein the predetermined temperature is higher than a vaporization temperature at which reformed water introduced into the reformer vaporizes, and the fuel cell is regenerated by introducing air into the fuel cell stack. The temperature is set below the reoxidation temperature, which is the temperature at which oxidation occurs.

According to the fuel cell system according to the third aspect, the predetermined temperature can be a temperature at which path diagnosis is possible for the gas path, reformed water path, and air path of the fuel cell unit.

In the fuel cell system according to the fourth aspect, both a stack temperature, which is the temperature of the fuel cell stack, and a reforming temperature, which is the temperature of the reformer, are used as the temperature of the fuel cell unit.

According to the fuel cell system according to the fourth aspect, both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature can be applied as the temperature of the fuel cell unit.

In the fuel cell system according to the fifth aspect, different temperatures are set as the predetermined temperature depending on the combination of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path that are subject to error.

According to the fuel cell system according to the fifth aspect, a temperature at which path diagnosis is possible can be applied as the predetermined temperature for each combination of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path.

In the fuel cell system according to a sixth aspect, the fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells having an electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode, and an air electrode are stacked, and a fuel cell stack that reformes a gas containing a hydrocarbon raw material. a reformer, wherein the predetermined temperature is higher than a reoxidation temperature at which fuel cell reoxidation occurs when air is introduced into the fuel cell stack, and the predetermined temperature is higher than a reoxidation temperature at which reoxidation of the fuel cell occurs when air is introduced into the fuel cell stack, and carbon a first temperature below the carbon precipitation temperature, which is the temperature at which precipitation occurs, and a second temperature, which is higher than the vaporization temperature and below the reoxidation temperature, which is the temperature at which the reformed water introduced into the reformer vaporizes. and the control unit is configured to detect that the error target is a combination of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path, or a combination of the gas path and the air path, or the reformed water path and In the case of a combination of the air paths or only the air path, control is performed to notify the error after the temperature falls below the second temperature, and the target of the error is the gas path and the reformed water path. or in the case of only the gas path, control is performed to notify the error after the temperature becomes equal to or lower than the first temperature.

According to the fuel cell system according to the sixth aspect, an error can be notified after the temperature of the fuel cell unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature for each combination of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a control device according to a seventh aspect is provided with a fuel cell module that generates electricity, and a gas path, a reformed water path, and an air path connected to the fuel cell module. A control device for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system including a fuel cell unit provided with a fuel cell unit, the control device comprising: a control unit that performs control to notify the error when the fuel cell unit stops due to an error; The control unit determines the type of the error, and when the error is an error in which at least one of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path may be in failure, the control unit Control is performed to notify the above-mentioned error after the temperature of the battery unit falls below a predetermined temperature, and the above-mentioned error is a predetermined error that affects safety with respect to gas leakage or others, or when the user uses If the error is predetermined to be due to a state, control is performed to immediately notify the error.

According to the control device according to the seventh aspect, the same effects as the fuel cell system according to the first aspect can be obtained.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a control program according to an eighth aspect causes a computer to function as a control unit included in a control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

According to the control program according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the fuel cell system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the power generation unit stops due to an error, the error can be notified at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fuel cell module according to a first embodiment; 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the 1st data table concerning a 1st embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing by a control program according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd data table based on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the 3rd data table based on 2nd Embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing by a control program according to the second embodiment.

Below, an example of a form for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 10 according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into two units: a fuel cell unit 12 and a hot water supply unit 14, which is an example of a heat source unit. Note that the fuel cell unit 12 may include a separate hot water storage tank unit that accommodates a hot water storage tank 48, which will be described later, and in this case, it is configured with three units.

The fuel cell unit 12 generates electricity using fuel gas and oxidizing gas. The fuel cell unit 12 also includes a hot water storage tank 48, in which water is stored as a heat transfer medium that recovers heat generated by power generation through heat exchange. The hot water supply unit 14 heats the clean water heated by the fuel cell unit 12 to a desired temperature and supplies it. As an example, an open tank is used for the hot water storage tank 48, but a pressurized tank may also be used.

The fuel cell unit 12 includes a fuel cell module 20, which is an example of a fuel cell that generates electricity. The fuel cell module 20 is connected to a gas joint 22 via a gas supply path 21, and a gas supply pipe 24 is connected to the gas joint 22. The gas supply pipe 24 is branched into a flow path toward a burner 150 of the hot water supply unit 14, which will be described later, and a flow path toward the fuel cell module 20. This branch is referred to as a branch portion 24A.

The gas supply pipe 24 is connected to a gas main pipe (not shown), and is supplied with city gas (raw material gas) whose main component is methane, which is an example of a hydrocarbon material. A desulfurization section 26 is provided in the gas supply path 21 , and the sulfur content and sulfur compounds contained in the city gas are removed by the desulfurization section 26 and supplied to the fuel cell module 20 .

Further, the fuel cell module 20 is connected to a storage tank 32 via a reformed water inflow path 30 having a supply pump 28, and the fuel cell module 20 is supplied with reformed water stored in the storage tank 32. It is supplied by a pump 28. An oxidizing gas pipe 212 provided with an air blower 211 is connected to this fuel cell module 20, and oxidizing gas (external air) is supplied through the oxidizing gas pipe 212. This fuel cell module 20 includes a hydrogen generation section (reformer) that generates hydrogen by subjecting city gas and reformed water to a reforming reaction.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell module 20 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell module 20 includes a reforming catalyst 202, a burner 203, and a fuel cell stack 205 as main components inside a housing 201.

The reforming catalyst 202 is connected to the gas supply path 21. City gas from which sulfur compounds have been adsorbed and removed in the desulfurization section 26 is supplied to the reforming catalyst 202 through the gas supply path 21 . The reforming catalyst 202 is a reformer that reformes the supplied city gas with steam using reformed water (condensed water) supplied through the reformed water inflow path 30. The reforming catalyst 202 is provided with a temperature sensor S1, and the reforming temperature can be measured by the temperature sensor S1.

A discharge path 34, which will be described later, is connected to the burner 203. This burner 203 burns burner gas (gas discharged from the stack) supplied through the stack exhaust gas pipe 207 and heats the reforming catalyst 202 . In this reforming catalyst 202, fuel gas containing hydrogen gas is generated from the city gas supplied from the desulfurization section 26. This fuel gas is supplied through a fuel gas pipe 204 to a fuel electrode 206 of a fuel cell stack 205, which will be described later.

The fuel cell stack 205 is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, and includes a plurality of stacked fuel cells 208 (only one is shown in FIG. 2). Each fuel cell 208 has an electrolyte layer 209, and a fuel electrode 206 and an air electrode 210 laminated on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte layer 209, respectively. The fuel cell stack 205 is provided with a temperature sensor S2, and the stack temperature can be measured by the temperature sensor S2.

Oxidizing gas (external air) is supplied to the air electrode 210 (cathode electrode) through an oxidizing gas pipe 212 provided with an air blower 211. In this air electrode 210, oxygen in the oxidizing gas reacts with electrons to generate oxygen ions, as shown in equation (1) below. These oxygen ions reach the fuel electrode 206 through the electrolyte layer 209.

(Air electrode reaction)
1/2O ₂ +2e ^- →O ^2-... (1)

On the other hand, at the fuel electrode 206, as shown by the following equations (2) and (3), oxygen ions that have passed through the electrolyte layer 209 react with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the fuel gas, and turn into water (water vapor). and carbon dioxide and electrons are produced. Electrons generated at the fuel electrode 206 reach the air electrode 210 through an external circuit. Then, as electrons move from the fuel electrode 206 to the air electrode 210 in this manner, power is generated in each fuel cell 208. Further, each fuel cell 208 generates heat due to the above reaction during power generation.

(Fuel electrode reaction)
H ₂ +O ^2- →H ₂ O+2e ^-... (2)
CO+O ^2- →CO ₂ +2e ^-... (3)

The upstream side of the stack exhaust gas pipe 207 connected to the fuel cell stack 205 is branched into a fuel electrode exhaust gas pipe 214 and an air electrode exhaust gas pipe 215. 206 and the air electrode 210, respectively. The fuel electrode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel electrode 206 and the air electrode exhaust gas discharged from the air electrode 210 are discharged through the fuel electrode exhaust gas pipe 214 and the air electrode exhaust gas pipe 215, and are mixed in the stack exhaust gas pipe 207. It is used as stack exhaust gas. This stack exhaust gas contains unreacted hydrogen gas contained in the fuel electrode exhaust gas, and is supplied to the burner 203 as burner gas, as described above. Note that a discharge passage 34 for discharging burner exhaust gas to an exhaust heat exchanger 36 is connected to this burner 203 .

A discharge passage 34 is connected to the fuel cell module 20 for discharging the combustion exhaust gas used to promote the reforming reaction in the hydrogen generation section. The exhaust passage 34 is provided with an exhaust heat exchanger 36 , and the downstream side of the exhaust heat exchanger 36 is connected to the storage tank 32 . The combustion exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 20 is cooled by heat exchange with a heat transfer medium 50 described later in the exhaust heat exchanger 36, and the water vapor contained therein is condensed. Thereby, the combustion exhaust gas is separated into water and gas, and the water is sent to the storage tank 32 and reused as reformed water. Further, the gas is exhausted from an exhaust port (not shown).

A drainage channel 102 having a drainage pump 100 is connected to the storage tank 32, and the drainage channel 102 is connected to the sewer via a drain pipe 104 connected to a drainage joint 102a. The drain pump 100 is activated when the water in the storage tank 32 reaches a predetermined amount or more, and discharges the water in the storage tank 32 to the sewer via the drain pipe 104.

As described above, the fuel cell module 20 includes the fuel cell stack 205 that generates power using hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation section. Electric power generated by the fuel cell stack 205 of the fuel cell module 20 is converted into alternating current by the inverter circuit 38, and then supplied to the outside via the supply line 92a connected to the connection terminal 40a.

A heat recovery circuit 42 that circulates a heat transfer medium 50 between the exhaust heat exchanger 36 and the hot water storage tank 48 is connected to the exhaust heat exchanger 36 . A heat recovery pump 44 and a radiator 46 are provided in a first flow path 42 a that is one flow path of a heat recovery circulation path 42 that connects the exhaust heat exchanger 36 and the hot water storage tank 48 . The upstream side of the first flow path 42a from the radiator 46 is connected to a hot water storage tank 48. A heat transfer medium 50 is stored in the hot water storage tank 48, and water is used as the heat transfer medium 50, for example. The upper part of the hot water storage tank 48 is open to the atmosphere. Further, the hot water storage tank 48 is provided with a water level sensor 52 that measures the water level of tap water in the hot water storage tank.

This first flow path 42a is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 48, and the heat transfer medium 50 stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 48 is sent preferentially to the exhaust heat exchanger 36. The heat transfer medium 50 supplied from the hot water storage tank 48 to the first flow path 42 a of the heat recovery circuit 42 is cooled by the radiator 46 and then sent to the exhaust heat exchanger 36 by the heat recovery pump 44 . Note that the fan motor of the radiator 46 operates as necessary, such as when the supplied heat transfer medium 50 is at a high temperature.

The heat transfer medium 50 sent from the hot water storage tank 48 to the exhaust heat exchanger 36 via the first flow path 42a is transferred to the hot water storage tank 48 via the second flow path 42e, which is the other flow path of the heat recovery circuit 42. be returned. The second flow path 42e is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48. The heat of the combustion exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 20 is transferred to the heat transfer medium 50 by the exhaust heat exchanger 36, and the heat transfer medium 50 heated by this heat is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48. As a result, the heat transfer medium 50 in the hot water storage tank 48 is heated by the heat generated by the fuel cell module 20.

The heat transfer medium 50 stored in the hot water storage tank 48 is supplied to the water heat exchanger 54 provided in the fuel cell unit 12 via a heat supply circuit 58 that is different from the heat recovery circuit 42 . Thereby, the heat transfer medium 50 in the hot water storage tank 48 is returned to the hot water storage tank 48 via the water heat exchanger 54 provided in the heat supply circuit 58.

A heat supply pump 56 is provided in the first flow path 58a of the heat supply circulation path 58 on the upstream side of the water heat exchanger 54. The heat supply pump 56 operates when heating tap water or the like using the heat of the heat transfer medium 50 in the hot water storage tank 48 .

The upstream end of the first flow path 58a is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48, and the heat transfer medium 50 stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48 is sent to the first flow path 58a. The downstream end of the first flow path 58a is connected to the water heat exchanger 54, and the heat transfer medium 50 stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48 is supplied to the water heat exchanger 54. The second flow path 58e on the downstream side of the heat supply circulation path 58 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 48, and the heat transfer medium 50 from which heat has been removed by the water heat exchanger 54 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 48. returned to the side.

An inflow path 60 having an inflow branch point 60a is connected to the water heat exchanger 54. The inflow path 60 is connected to an inlet pipe joint 62 . The inlet pipe joint 62 is connected to, for example, a water supply pipe 64 of a water pipe, and clean water is supplied to the inflow path 60.

The water heat exchanger 54 is connected to an outflow path 66 through which the water from the inflow path 60 flows out after heat exchange. The outflow path 66 is provided with an outflow branch point 66a, and a supplementary water channel 71 having a supplementary water valve 68 is connected to the outlet branch point 66a. The supplementary water channel 71 is connected to the first flow path 58a of the heat supply circuit 58, and by opening the supplementary water valve 68, water is supplied from the upstream side of the water heat exchanger 54 using water as a heat transfer medium 50. Hot water can be supplied to the hot water storage tank 48.

A mixing valve 72 is provided downstream of the outflow side branch point 66a of the outflow path 66. The mixing valve 72 is connected to the inflow branch point 60a via a bypass path 74. The mixing valve 72 is a valve that mixes the clean water from the inflow path 60 and the clean water from the clean water heat exchanger 54, and for example, mixes the water from the inflow path 60 so that the outflow temperature becomes a predetermined set temperature. The mixing ratio between the clean water and the clean water from the clean water heat exchanger 54 is adjusted.

The downstream side of the mixing valve 72 of the outflow path 66 is connected to an outlet joint 76 , and the outlet joint 76 is connected to an inlet joint 80 of the hot water supply unit 14 via a hot water outlet pipe 78 .

Further, a gas supply pipe 24 is connected to the gas joint 82 of the hot water supply unit 14, and city gas is supplied from the gas supply pipe 24 to the burner 150 of the hot water supply unit 14. The heat of combustion from burner 150 heats water passing through heat exchanger 154 .

A hot water supply pipe 86 is connected to the hot water supply joint 84 of the hot water supply unit 14, and the hot water supply pipe 86 is routed to a hot water supply location where hot water is used. A drain pipe 88 connected to the hot water supply unit 14 is connected to the sewer.

An inlet channel 152 is connected to the water inlet joint 80 of the hot water supply unit 14 , and the inlet channel 152 is connected to a heat exchanger 154 . The heat exchanger 154 is connected to the hot water supply joint 84 via a hot water supply path 158 having a mixing valve 156, and the mixing valve 156 is connected to an inlet branch point 152a of the inlet channel 152 via a bypass path 160. There is. Further, a flow rate control valve 53 is provided between the water inlet joint 80 and the water inlet branch point 152a.

The mixing valve 156 is a valve that mixes the water from the inlet channel 152 and the water from the heat exchanger 154, and controls the mixing ratio of the water from the inlet channel 152 and the water from the heat exchanger 154. adjust.

The hot water supply unit 14 is equipped with a heating pipe for heating, a bath pipe for reheating the bath, and the like, each of which constitutes a circulation path, and the heat exchanger 154 heat exchanges the inside of the circulation path. water is heated. Illustrations of these heating pipes and bath pipes are omitted.

The hot water supply unit 14 functions as a backup heat source device that heats the tap water heated by the fuel cell unit 12, the heating pipe, and the water flowing through the bath pipe as necessary.

A microcomputer meter 70 is attached to the upstream side of the branch portion 24A of the gas supply pipe 24. The microcomputer meter 70 has multiple functions of measuring the flow rate of gas to be supplied and monitoring abnormalities in the gas supply. The main monitoring functions include an abnormal outflow monitoring function, a seismic sensing function, a pressure monitoring function, and a long-term use monitoring function.

The fuel cell unit 12 is provided with a control device 110 as a controller. The operation of the fuel cell system 10 is controlled by the control device 110. The control device 110 controls various electrical components provided in each of the fuel cell unit 12 and the hot water supply unit 14. Further, a remote control device 51 is connected to the control device 110. The remote control device 51 receives operation input from the user and displays various information such as status information and error information of the fuel cell system 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the control device 110 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 110 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, and an input/output interface (I/O interface). 114, a storage section 115, and an external interface (hereinafter referred to as "external I/F") 116.

The CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, and I/O 114 are each connected via a bus. Each functional unit including a storage unit 115 and an external I/F 116 is connected to the I/O 114 . Each of these functional units can communicate with the CPU 111 via the I/O 114.

As the storage unit 115, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or the like is used. The storage unit 115 stores a control program 115A for controlling the operation of the fuel cell system 10. Note that this control program 115A may be stored in the ROM 112.

The control program 115A may be installed in the control device 110 in advance, for example. The control program 115A may be realized by being stored in a nonvolatile storage medium, or distributed via a network, and installed in the control device 110 as appropriate. Note that examples of nonvolatile storage media include CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), magneto-optical disk, HDD, DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), flash memory, memory card, etc. Ru.

For example, a remote control device 51, a first temperature sensor S1, and a second temperature sensor S2 are connected to the external I/F 116. These remote control device 51, first temperature sensor S1, and second temperature sensor S2 are communicably connected to CPU 111 via external I/F 116.

By the way, as mentioned above, when the fuel cell unit 12 stops due to an error, it is not necessary to immediately notify the error for all error types. It is advisable to give notice.

Therefore, the CPU 111 of the control device 110 according to the present embodiment functions as each unit shown in FIG. 4 by writing the control program 115A stored in the storage unit 115 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 110 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 111 of the control device 110 according to this embodiment functions as an error detection section 111A and an error notification control section 111B. Note that the error notification control unit 111B is an example of a control unit.

The error detection unit 111A according to this embodiment detects an error occurring in the fuel cell unit 12. Specifically, a plurality of components such as piping and tanks provided in the fuel cell unit 12 are each provided with a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an error, and the output value of the sensor is monitored by the error detection unit 111A. be done. The error detection unit 111A detects the occurrence of an error when the output value of the sensor shows an abnormal value.

The error notification control unit 111B according to the present embodiment determines the type of error when the fuel cell unit 12 is stopped due to an error, and performs control to notify the error according to the type of error. Specifically, the error notification control unit 111B controls the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 when the error is an error that may cause a failure in at least one of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path. Control is performed to notify an error after the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature. In addition, the error notification control unit 111B determines whether the error is a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or other problems, or a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage status. Performs control to immediately notify an error in certain cases. In addition, the error notification control unit 111B determines whether the error is not a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or the like, or if the error is not a predetermined error that is caused by the usage status of the user. and a control that notifies an error after the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 falls below a predetermined temperature as a temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10. I do.

The error notification destination is, for example, the installed remote control device 51. Note that the gas path, reformed water path, and air path are paths provided in the fuel cell unit 12 and connected to the fuel cell module 20. In the case of this embodiment, the gas supply path 21 is an example of a gas path, the reformed water inflow path 30 is an example of a reformed water path, and the oxidizing gas pipe 212 is an example of an air path. However, these gas paths, reformed water paths, and air paths may take various forms depending on the configuration of the fuel cell system 10.

An example of a predetermined error related to gas leaks and others that will affect safety is a gas leak detection error caused by a gas sensor inside the device detecting a pipe breakage or leak from a connection. Further, the predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage condition is, for example, an abnormal fuel gas source pressure that occurs when the device is started without gas being supplied.

When the above predetermined temperature is T [°C], the predetermined temperature T is, for example, the temperature at which the reforming water introduced into the reforming catalyst 202 is vaporized (for example, 100°C, hereinafter referred to as "vaporization temperature"). ), and a temperature lower than or equal to the temperature at which reoxidation of the fuel cells 208 occurs by introducing air into the fuel cell stack 205 (for example, 300° C., hereinafter referred to as "reoxidation temperature") is preset. This predetermined temperature T is a temperature at which a route diagnosis can be performed by a worker when the fuel cell unit 12 is stopped due to an error. Path diagnosis here refers to work in which a person in charge of the work diagnoses whether or not there is a failure in the reformed water path, gas path, and air path of the fuel cell unit 12.

Further, as the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12, both the stack temperature of the fuel cell stack 205 and the reforming temperature of the reforming catalyst 202 are used. That is, the error notification is performed after both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature become equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T.

Here, the storage unit 115 according to this embodiment stores a first data table 115B. This first data table 115B can be referenced by the error notification control unit 111B.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the first data table 115B according to the first embodiment.

The first data table 115B shown in FIG. 5 is a data table in which routes with a possibility of failure are specified and classified in advance for each error type (error codes A to H). Error code A is a code that targets the gas path, reformed water path, and air path. Error code B is a code that targets the gas path and reformed water path. Error code C is a code that targets the gas path and air path. Error code D is a code that applies only to the gas path. Error code E is a code that targets the reformed water route and the air route. Error code F is a code that applies only to the reformed water route. Error code G is a code that applies only to the air path. These error codes A to G are associated with "error display when temperature is below a predetermined temperature".

Furthermore, error code H is a code that causes errors in areas other than the gas route, reformed water route, and air route. This error code H is associated with "error display after separate processing".

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the control device 110 according to the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the control program 115A according to the first embodiment.

First, the control program 115A stored in the storage unit 115 is activated by the CPU 111, and each step shown below is executed.

At step 300 in FIG. 6, the CPU 111 determines whether an error occurring in the fuel cell unit 12 has been detected. If it is determined that an error has been detected (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process moves to step 301, and if it is determined that no error has been detected (in the case of a negative determination), the process goes on standby in step 300.

In step 301, the CPU 111 determines an error code representing the error type of the error detected in step 300. If it is determined that the error code is one of A, B, C, D, E, F, or G (in the case of A, B, C, D, E, F, or G), the process moves to step 302 and the error code is If it is determined to be H (in the case of H), the process moves to step 305.

In step 302, the CPU 111 refers to the first data table 115B shown in FIG. 5, for example, and waits until both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature become equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T.

In step 303, the CPU 111 determines whether both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have become equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature T. If it is determined that both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have become below the predetermined temperature T (in the case of an affirmative judgment), the process moves to step 304, and if it is determined that both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have not become below the predetermined temperature T ( If the determination is negative), the process returns to step 302 and repeats the process.

In step 304, the CPU 111 causes the remote control device 51 to display an error code, for example, and ends the series of processing by the control program 115A.

On the other hand, in step 305, the CPU 111 determines whether the error is a predetermined error that affects safety regarding gas leakage or other problems, or a predetermined error that is caused by the usage status of the user. Determine if there is. If it is determined that the error is a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or other matters, or that it is a predetermined error that is caused by the usage status of the user (in the case of a positive determination), Proceeding to step 304, for example, the error code is immediately displayed on the remote control device 51. If the error is not a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or others, or if it is determined that the error is not a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage conditions (in the case of a negative determination) , the process moves to step 306.

In step 306, the CPU 111 determines that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 is below a predetermined temperature (specified temperature) as a temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10. Wait until.

In step 307, the CPU 111 determines whether the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 has become below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10. Determine whether When it is determined that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 has fallen below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10 (in the case of an affirmative determination) ), the process moves to step 304, and as an example, an error code is displayed on the remote control device 51. When it is determined that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 does not fall below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10 (in case of negative determination) ), the process returns to step 306 and repeats the process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the fuel cell unit stops due to an error, the error can be notified at an appropriate timing depending on the type of error. Therefore, the person in charge of the work can perform the maintenance work immediately after arriving at the site, and the burden on the person in charge of the work and the user can be reduced.

[Second embodiment]
In this embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the predetermined temperature at which an error is notified differs depending on the combination of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control device 110A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 111 of the control device 110A according to this embodiment functions as an error detection section 111A and an error notification control section 111B.

The predetermined temperature T according to this embodiment is set to a different temperature depending on the combination of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path that are subject to an error. Specifically, the predetermined temperature T includes a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is higher than the reoxidation temperature (e.g., 300°C) and lower than or equal to the temperature at which carbon precipitation occurs due to gas introduction to the reforming catalyst 202 (e.g., 500°C, hereinafter referred to as "carbon precipitation temperature"). It is. The second temperature is higher than the vaporization temperature (eg, 100° C.) and lower than or equal to the reoxidation temperature.

The error notification control unit 111B according to the present embodiment detects that the error target is a combination of the gas route, the reformed water route, and the air route, or a combination of the gas route and the air route, or the reformed water route and the air route. or when there is only an air path, control is performed to notify an error after the temperature drops below the second temperature. Furthermore, when the target of the error is a combination of the gas path and the reformed water path, or only the gas path, the error notification control unit 111B performs control to notify the error after the temperature becomes lower than the first temperature.

Here, the storage unit 115 according to this embodiment stores a second data table 115C and a third data table 115D instead of the first data table 115B. These second data table 115C and third data table 115D can be referenced by the error notification control unit 111B.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the second data table 115C according to the second embodiment.

The second data table 115C shown in FIG. 8 is a data table that defines classification of temperature zones and whether or not path diagnosis of reformed water, gas, and air can be performed in each temperature zone. The temperature range of the fuel cell unit 12 includes a temperature range [A], a temperature range [B], and a temperature range [C]. When the maximum temperature of the fuel cell module 20 is T1 [°C], the carbon precipitation temperature is T2 [°C], the reoxidation temperature is T3 [°C], and the vaporization temperature is T4 [°C], the temperature range [a] is This is a temperature range higher than the precipitation temperature T2 and lower than the maximum temperature T1. The temperature zone [b] is a temperature zone higher than the reoxidation temperature T3 and lower than the carbon precipitation temperature T2. That is, the temperature zone [b] is a temperature zone that includes the first temperature. The temperature zone [c] is a temperature zone higher than the vaporization temperature T4 and lower than the reoxidation temperature T3. In other words, the temperature zone [c] is a temperature zone that includes the second temperature.

In the case of the example in FIG. 8, the reforming water path can be diagnosed in all temperature zones: temperature zone [A], temperature zone [B], and temperature zone [C]. The gas route cannot be diagnosed in temperature zone [A], but can be diagnosed in temperature zone [B] and temperature zone [C]. The air path cannot be diagnosed in temperature zone [A] and temperature zone [B], but can be diagnosed in temperature zone [C].

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the third data table 115D according to the second embodiment.

The third data table 115D shown in FIG. 9 is a data table in which routes with a possibility of failure are specified and classified in advance for each error type (error codes A to H). Error code A, error code C, error code E, and error code G are associated with "error display in temperature range [c]". Error code B and error code D are associated with "error display below temperature range [B]".

Further, error code F and error code H are associated with "error display after separate processing". In this embodiment, since it is assumed that the reforming water path can be diagnosed regardless of the temperature, "error display after separate processing" is set for error code F. However, if there are temperature restrictions on diagnosis of the reforming water path depending on the system configuration, an error may be displayed after waiting until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature T or lower.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation of the control device 110A according to the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the control program 115A according to the second embodiment.

First, the control program 115A stored in the storage unit 115 is activated by the CPU 111, and each step shown below is executed.

In step 310 of FIG. 10, the CPU 111 determines whether an error occurring in the fuel cell unit 12 has been detected. If it is determined that an error has been detected (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process moves to step 311, and if it is determined that no error has been detected (in the case of a negative determination), the process goes on standby in step 310.

In step 311, the CPU 111 determines an error code representing the error type of the error detected in step 310. If it is determined that the error code is B or error code D (in the case of B or D), the process moves to step 312, and if it is determined that the error code is one of the error codes A, C, E, or G (A, C, If it is determined that the error code is F or H (in the case of F or H), the process proceeds to step 317.

In step 312, the CPU 111 refers to the third data table 115D shown in FIG. do.

In step 313, the CPU 111 determines whether both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have fallen below the temperature range [b]. If it is determined that both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have become below the temperature range [B] (in the case of an affirmative judgment), the process moves to step 314, and unless both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have become below the temperature range [B]. If it is determined (negative determination), the process returns to step 312 and repeats the process.

In step 314, the CPU 111 causes the remote control device 51 to display an error code, for example, and ends the series of processing by the control program 115A.

On the other hand, in step 315, the CPU 111 refers to the third data table 115D shown in FIG. do.

In step 316, the CPU 111 determines whether both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature have fallen into the temperature range [C]. If it is determined that both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature are within the temperature range [C] (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process moves to step 314, and it is determined that both the stack temperature and the reforming temperature are not within the temperature range [C]. (in case of negative determination), the process returns to step 315 and repeats the process.

On the other hand, in step 317, the CPU 111 determines whether the error is a predetermined error that affects safety with respect to gas leakage or the like, or a predetermined error that is caused by the usage status of the user. Determine if there is. If it is determined that the error is a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or other matters, or that it is a predetermined error that is caused by the usage status of the user (in the case of a positive determination), Proceeding to step 314, for example, the error code is immediately displayed on the remote control device 51. If the error is not a predetermined error that affects safety related to gas leakage or others, or if it is determined that the error is not a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage conditions (in the case of a negative determination) , the process moves to step 318.

In step 318, the CPU 111 determines that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 is below a predetermined temperature (specified temperature) as a temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10. Wait until.

In step 319, the CPU 111 determines whether the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 has become below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10. Determine whether When it is determined that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 has fallen below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10 (in the case of an affirmative determination) ), the process moves to step 314, and as an example, an error code is displayed on the remote control device 51. When it is determined that the temperature of the fuel cell unit 12 does not fall below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system 10 (in case of negative determination) ), the process returns to step 318 and repeats the process.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the predetermined temperature at which an error is notified differs depending on the combination of the gas path, reformed water path, and air path. Therefore, an error can be notified at appropriate timing for each combination of the gas route, reformed water route, and air route.

The above embodiments have been described by exemplifying the fuel cell system and the control device, but the embodiments may also be in the form of a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of each section included in the control device. Embodiments may be in the form of a computer readable storage medium storing this program.

In addition, the configurations of the fuel cell system and control device described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be changed depending on the situation without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Furthermore, the process flow of the program described in the above embodiment is only an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the main purpose. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the processing according to the embodiment is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiments may be realized by, for example, a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

10 Fuel cell system 12 Fuel cell unit 14 Hot water unit 20 Fuel cell module 21 Gas supply path 30 Reformed water inflow path 51 Remote control device 110, 110A Control device 111 CPU
111A Error detection unit 111B Error notification control unit 112 ROM
113 RAM
114 I/O
115 Storage unit 115A Control program 115B First data table 115C Second data table 115D Third data table 116 External I/F
212 Oxidizing gas pipe S1, S2 temperature sensor

Claims (8)

a fuel cell unit provided with a fuel cell module that generates electricity, and provided with a gas path, a reformed water path, and an air path connected to the fuel cell module;
a control device including a control unit that performs control to notify the error when the fuel cell unit stops due to an error;
Equipped with
The control unit determines the type of the error, and when the error is an error in which at least one of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path may be in failure, the control unit determines the type of the error. Control is performed to notify the error after the temperature of the fuel cell unit falls below a predetermined temperature, and if the error is a predetermined error that will affect safety with respect to gas leakage or others, or if the user If the error is predetermined to be due to the usage status of the controller, the controller controls to immediately notify the error.
fuel cell system. When the error is not a predetermined error that affects safety with respect to gas leakage or the like, or is not a predetermined error that is caused by the user's usage condition, the control unit Control is performed to notify the error after the temperature of the fuel cell unit becomes below a predetermined temperature that can be touched by hand or a temperature that can accept restarting of the fuel cell system. ,
The fuel cell system according to claim 1. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells having an electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode, and an air electrode are stacked, and a reformer for reforming a gas containing a hydrocarbon raw material,
The predetermined temperature is a reoxidation temperature that is higher than the vaporization temperature, which is the temperature at which the reformed water introduced into the reformer vaporizes, and is a temperature at which reoxidation of the fuel cell occurs when air is introduced into the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the following temperatures are set. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, wherein both a stack temperature, which is the temperature of the fuel cell stack, and a reforming temperature, which is the temperature of the reformer, are used as the temperature of the fuel cell unit. 5. The predetermined temperature is set to a different temperature depending on the combination of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path that are subject to the error. fuel cell system. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells having an electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode, and an air electrode are stacked, and a reformer for reforming a gas containing a hydrocarbon raw material,
The predetermined temperature is higher than the reoxidation temperature, which is the temperature at which fuel cell reoxidation occurs when air is introduced into the fuel cell stack, and the carbon precipitation temperature, which is the temperature at which carbon precipitation occurs when gas is introduced into the reformer. the following first temperature; and a second temperature higher than the vaporization temperature, which is the temperature at which the reformed water introduced into the reformer vaporizes, and below the reoxidation temperature,
The control unit includes:
The object of the error is a combination of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path, or a combination of the gas path and the air path, or a combination of the reformed water path and the air path, or , if there is only the air path, control is performed to notify the error after the temperature becomes below the second temperature;
When the target of the error is a combination of the gas route and the reformed water route, or only the gas route, control is performed to notify the error after the temperature becomes equal to or lower than the first temperature. The fuel cell system described. Control for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell unit that is provided with a fuel cell module that generates electricity, and that is provided with a gas path, a reformed water path, and an air path that are connected to the fuel cell module. A device,
including a control unit that performs control to notify the error when the fuel cell unit stops due to an error,
The control unit determines the type of the error, and when the error is an error in which at least one of the gas path, the reformed water path, and the air path may be in failure, the control unit determines the type of the error. Control is performed to notify the error after the temperature of the fuel cell unit falls below a predetermined temperature, and if the error is a predetermined error that will affect safety with respect to gas leakage or others, or if the user If the error is predetermined to be due to usage conditions, control is performed to immediately notify the error.
Control device. A control program for causing a computer to function as a control section included in the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.