JPH02197056A - Controller of alkaline fuel cell power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make stoppage of a power generator smooth if a power source or a sequencer fails by disposing a second electromagnetic changing valve, a third electromagnetic changing valve equipped with a restore spring in series with a control gas system having a first electromagnetic changing valve, and providing a bypass tube for bypassing the second electromagnetic changing valve and connecting the first electromagnetic changing valve with the third electromagnetic changing valve having the restore spring. CONSTITUTION:If energization to an electromagnetic changing valves 21, 27 or an electromagnetic changing valve 28 equipped with a restore spring becomes impossible by failure of a constant voltage power source 24 or a sequencer 25 when a power generator is controlled by action of the sequencer 25, the electromagnetic changing valve 27 is in a closed condition while the other ports are released to open air, and the electromagnetic changing valve 28 equipped with the restore spring is changed to be connected with a port of the electromagnetic changing valve 27 which is released to open air by the restore spring, so an exist supply tube 23 is released to open air. Gas drive valves 10, 14 are thus closed. Hydrogen or oxygen is not supplied to a fuel cell 1, but nitrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 1, thereby the fuel cell 1 is purged by nitrogen.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an alkaline fuel cell power generation device, particularly an alkaline fuel cell power generation device, which reacts with a control gas controlled by a control command from a control section whose power source is power generated from the battery. The present invention relates to a control device that opens and closes a gas drive valve for gas supply to supply and cut off reaction gas to a fuel cell.

[Conventional technology]

Alkaline fuel cells that use alkaline aqueous solution as the electrolyte are
Since power generation is possible at room temperature, it is possible to configure a system that does not require the use of a control power source when starting up a power generation device including a fuel cell. As such a system, the one shown in FIG. 3 is known. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an alkaline fuel cell, which is schematically shown in the figure, and includes an electrolyte chamber 2 in which an alkaline aqueous solution is used as an electrolyte, a fuel electrode 3 and an oxidizer electrode 4 arranged on both sides of the electrolyte chamber 2. It consists of a fuel chamber 5 and an oxidizer chamber 6 arranged on both sides of these electrodes. 7
is a fuel supply system that supplies hydrogen as a fuel gas to the fuel chamber 5, which includes a hydrogen cylinder 8 as a fuel supply source, a pressure regulating valve 9 that controls the supply pressure of hydrogen to the fuel cell, and a hydrogen cylinder as a control gas. It is equipped with a gas-driven valve 10 that is opened and closed by nitrogen and that allows hydrogen to flow through and shut off. On the other hand, reference numeral 11 is an oxidant supply system that supplies oxygen as an oxidant gas to the oxidizer chamber 6, and an oxygen cylinder 12. Pressure regulating valve 13. A gas-driven valve 14 is provided.

16 is a purge gas supply system that purges the fuel cell by replacing hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell with an inert gas when power generation of the fuel cell 1 is stopped, and is connected to the fuel chamber 5 and the oxidizer chamber 6;
It includes a nitrogen cylinder 17 that serves as a supply source for supplying nitrogen as an inert gas to the fuel cell 1, and a pressure regulating valve 18 that controls the pressure at which nitrogen is supplied to the fuel cell 1. Note that the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 18 for nitrogen is set to a lower pressure than the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 9.13 for hydrogen and oxygen.

Further, the gas-driven valves 10.14 for hydrogen and oxygen are normally closed when no inert gas pressure is applied.

20 branches from the purge gas supply system 16 and includes an electromagnetic switching valve 21 in the middle thereof, and an artificial supply pipe 22 from the branch point to the electromagnetic switching valve 21 and a gas drive valve 10.20 from the electromagnetic switching valve 21.
14, and an outlet supply pipe 23 connected to 14a. Nafu gas driven valve 10
．． 14 opens when pressure of control gas (nitrogen gas from nitrogen cylinder 18) is applied to the opening/closing parts 10a and 14a, and closes when no pressure is applied.

The electromagnetic switching valve 21 is a double solenoid type (a type with two driving electromagnets), and when opening the valve,
Even when closing, it is necessary to energize each electromagnet. When neither electromagnet is energized, the current state is maintained by the pressure of the control gas. Further, when neither electromagnet is energized, the electromagnetic switching valve 21 can be switched using a manual switching button using the pressure of the control gas.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a constant voltage power supply device which is operated by the power generated by the fuel cell 1, and 25 is a sequencer which is operated by the constant voltage power supply device and incorporates a control program for controlling the fuel cell power generation device.

The electromagnetic switching valve 21 is switched by a control command from a sequencer 23.

With such a system, when the fuel cell is stopped, the electromagnetic switching valve 2
1 is closed to the inlet supply pipe 22 of the control gas system 20 (the other port is open to the atmosphere), and the outlet supply pipe 23 is opened to the atmosphere by the open port of the electromagnetic switching valve 21. The opening/closing parts 10a and 14a of the gas-driven valves 10.14 of the fuel supply system 7 and the oxidizing gas supply system 11 are pressureless, and the gas-driven valves 10.14 are closed. Therefore, hydrogen and oxygen are not supplied to the fuel cell 1, and nitrogen from the nitrogen cylinder 17 passes through the purge gas system 16 to the fuel chamber 5.
The oxidizer chamber 6 is supplied with nitrogen, and the fuel cell 1 is purged with nitrogen.

When starting up, the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is manually switched using the switching button of the electromagnetic switching valve 21, and nitrogen is supplied to the artificial supply pipe 22. by the control gas system 20. Opening/closing operation parts 10a, 14a of gas-driven valves 10.14 for hydrogen and oxygen are passed through the outlet supply pipe 23.
The gas-driven valve 1014 is opened to supply hydrogen from the hydrogen cylinder 8 through the fuel supply system 7, and oxygen from the oxygen cylinder 12 through the oxidizer supply system 11 to the fuel chamber 5 and the oxidizer. Supply to chamber 6.

Therefore, when the supply pressure of hydrogen and oxygen reaches the set pressure, the pressure regulating valve 18 for the control gas closes, the supply of the control gas nitrogen from the nitrogen cylinder 18 is stopped, and the hydrogen and oxygen are It is supplied to the fuel cell 1. and fuel cell
When hydrogen and oxygen supplied to Electric power is supplied to the electric power supply device 24, the sequencer 25 becomes operational, and the entire power generation device is controlled according to a control program built into the sequencer 25.

When stopped, the electromagnet of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is activated by a control command from the sequencer 25 to switch the valve, and the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is closed to the artificial supply pipe 22 of the control gas system 20 and closed to the outlet supply pipe 23. and open it to the atmosphere. At this time, the opening/closing operation part IQa of the gas-driven valve 10.14 for hydrogen and oxygen
, 14a become unpressurized, the gas-driven valve 10.14 is closed, and the supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell 1 is stopped, and nitrogen is supplied from the nitrogen cylinder 18 to the fuel chamber 5 and oxidizer chamber 6. The pressure is controlled to a set pressure by the pressure regulating valve 18 and supplied to the fuel chamber 5 and oxidizer chamber 6, and hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell 1 are purged and replaced with nitrogen. Along with this replacement, the generated voltage of the fuel cell 1 also decreases, and the constant voltage power supply 24. Sequencer 25 stops. At this time, energization to the electromagnet of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is also stopped, but the current state is maintained by the pressure of the control gas in the control gas system 20.

Note that nitrogen from the nitrogen cylinder 18 for purging is used as the control gas for opening and closing the gas-driven valves 10 and 1.4 for hydrogen and oxygen, but instead of nitrogen, the hydrogen cylinder 8. Systems have also been constructed that use hydrogen or oxygen from oxygen cylinders 12.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the control system of Ueda's fuel cell power generation system, when the fuel cell is stopped, when the supply of fuel gas and oxidant gas is stopped,
If the electromagnet of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 cannot be energized due to a failure of the constant voltage power supply 24 or the sequencer 25, etc., the electromagnet of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 cannot be controlled according to the control program pre-installed in the sequencer 25, and the electromagnetic switching valve 21 cannot be operated manually. The disadvantage is that switching is required.

An object of the present invention is to automatically stop the supply of fuel gas and oxidant gas to the fuel cell even if a failure occurs in the power supply device or sequencer of the fuel cell power generation device and the electromagnetic switching valve cannot be energized. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for an alkaline type #4 battery power generation device that can perform the following steps.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a fuel and oxidizer gas-driven valve that supplies and shuts off fuel gas and oxidant gas to a fuel cell containing an alkaline electrolyte, and that opens and closes using a control gas. , a power supply device operated by the power generated by the fuel cell, a sequencer operated by the power supply device, and a first electromagnetic switching device that controls the flow and cutoff of the control gas based on a control command from the sequencer or manual valve switching. In a control device for an alkaline fuel cell comprising a control gas system having a valve, the control gas system includes a second electromagnetic switching valve and a third electromagnetic switching valve that conducts and cuts off control gas by switching the valve according to a control command from a sequencer. An electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring is connected in series with the first electromagnetic switching valve, and the second electromagnetic switching valve is bypassed to connect the first electromagnetic switching valve and a third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring. A bypass pipe shall be provided to connect the valve.

Further, a gas-driven switching valve is inserted between the second IE electromagnetic switching valve and the third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring, and a timer operated by the control gas flowing through the bypass pipe is provided, and the timer is set. It shall be possible to switch the gas-driven switching valve after a certain period of time.

[Effect]

In claim 1, the control gas system is provided with first and second electromagnetic switching valves and a third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring, which are opened and closed by valve switching according to a control command from a sequencer, and further comprising a second electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring.
By providing a bypass pipe that bypasses the electromagnetic switching valve and connects the first electromagnetic switching valve and the third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring, it is possible to manually switch the first electromagnetic switching valve when starting up the fuel cell power generation device. The control gas is passed through the control gas system from the first electromagnetic switching valve through the bypass pipe and the third electromagnetic switching valve with return spring to open the gas-driven valves for fuel gas and oxidizing gas. By doing so, fuel gas and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell to generate electricity. This generated power enables the power supply device and the sequencer to operate, so a control command from the sequencer causes the second electromagnetic switching valve to be opened to the atmosphere. In this state, if the stop power supply or sequencer of the fuel cell power generation device fails and the electromagnetic switching valve cannot be energized, the third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring will switch the valve by the return spring when the electricity is no longer supplied. Further, since the second electromagnetic switching valve is previously opened to the atmosphere, the control gas is released to the atmosphere from the second electromagnetic switching valve via the third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring. Therefore, the gas drive valves for the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas are closed, and the supply of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell is stopped.

In claim 2, when starting up the fuel cell power generation device, if the sequencer does not operate even if the first electromagnetic switching valve is manually switched to the operating state so that the control gas flows, the control from the bypass pipe is performed. The timer is activated by the gas pressure, and after a certain period of time, the fourth gas-driven switching valve is switched to open to the atmosphere, so the control gas is released to the atmosphere and becomes unpressurized, and the fuel gas and oxidant gas are separated as before. The gas drive valve is closed to stop the supply of fuel gas and oxidant gas to the fuel cell.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a control device for an alkaline fuel cell power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and FIG. 2, which will be described later, the same parts as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. In Fig. 1, the difference from the conventional example is a double solenoid type electromagnetic switching valve 27 and a return spring equipped electromagnetic switching valve 28.
are connected in series with the electromagnetic switching valve 21, and a bypass pipe 31 is provided which bypasses the electromagnetic switching valve 27 and connects from the electromagnetic switching valve 28 with a return spring to the conduit 29 connecting the electromagnetic switching valves 21 and 27, Solenoid switching valve 27 and solenoid switching valve 2 with return spring
The electromagnet 8 is operated by a control command from the sequencer 25.

With such a system, when the fuel cell photoelectric device is in a stopped state, the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is controlled in the manner of the inlet supply pipe 22 where the control is ≦20.
It is open to the outlet supply pipe 23 of 20. Therefore, the nitrogen from the nitrogen cylinder 18 is supplied to the outlet supply pipe 2 with zero corrosion resistance.
3 is stopped, while the nitrogen present in the opening/closing parts 10a, 14a of the gas-driven valve 10.14, the outlet supply pipe 23, etc. is released from the atmosphere release port of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 via the electromagnetic switching valve 27.28. The gas-driven valve 10.14 is closed, the supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell 1 is stopped, and nitrogen gas from the nitrogen cylinder 17 is supplied to the fuel cell for purging.

When starting, the electromagnetic switching valve 21 is manually switched using the switching button of the electromagnetic switching valve 21 to open to the artificial supply pipe 22 of the control gas system 20, and the electromagnetic switching valve 27.2 is opened.
8 to the opening/closing actuator 1 of the gas-driven valve 10.14.
hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the fuel cell 1 by opening the gas-driven valve 10.14.

At this time, the supply of nitrogen as the purge gas to the fuel cell 1 is stopped as described above. The fuel cell 1 generates electricity by supplying hydrogen and oxygen, and the constant voltage power supply 24. The sequencer 25 is activated, and the sequencer 25 controls the entire power generation device according to a control program installed in advance. By this control, the solenoid switching valve 28 with return spring
is switched from communicating with the electromagnetic switching valve 27 to communicating with the bypass pipe 31, and at the same time, the electromagnetic switching valve 27 is closed to the inlet supply pipe 22 of the control gas system 20, and the other port of the Gekkenji proboscis 4 is switched to communicate with the bypass pipe 31. Open to the atmosphere. In this way, the control gas nitrogen that opens the gas driven valve 10.14 is supplied to the electromagnetic switching valve 21, the bypass pipe 31. Opening/closing part 108.14a of gas-driven valve 10.14 via electromagnetic switching valve 28 with return spring
These valves are kept open by applying pressure to them.

When stopped, a control command from the sequencer 25 closes the electromagnetic switching valve 21 to the inlet supply pipe 22 of the control gas system 20 (the other port is open to the atmosphere), and opens the electromagnetic switching valve 27 to the control gas system 20. By switching the electromagnetic switching valve 28 with a return spring so that it communicates from the bypass pipe 31 to the electromagnetic switching valve 27, the nitrogen in the outlet supply pipe 23 is released from the electromagnetic switching valve 21 to the atmosphere and the gas-driven valve 10 .1
The pressure applied to the opening/closing part 103.14H of No. 4 is made pressureless, and the gas-driven valve 10.14 is closed. Therefore, the supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell 1 is stopped, and as mentioned above, nitrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell electrical equipment 24. Sequencer 25 stops.

According to such a control method, when the sequencer 25 is operating to control the power generator, the electromagnetic switching valves 21, 27, . Even if the electromagnetic switching valve 28 with a return spring cannot be energized, the electromagnetic switching valve 27 remains closed (the other boat is open to the atmosphere), and the electromagnetic switching valve 28 with a return spring responds to the spring force of the return spring. Since the solenoid switching valve 27 is switched to be connected to the boat that is open to the atmosphere, the outlet supply pipe 23 is opened to the atmosphere, and the gas-driven valves 1 (1, 1, and 4 are closed, and the hydrogen and oxygen are ignited). 4, but nitrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 1 as described above, and the fuel cell 1 is purged with nitrogen.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a fuel cell power generation device according to a different embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a gas-driven switching valve 32 with a return spring is interposed between the electromagnetic switching valve 27 and the electromagnetic switching valve 28 with a return spring in FIG. Bypass pipe 31
A timer 33 is provided which is driven by the control gas flowing through the control gas, and the gas-driven switching valve 32 with a return spring is switched by the control gas after a certain period of time set by the timer 33.

With this configuration, after the startup standby electromagnetic switching valve 21 is manually opened so as to communicate with the control gas system 20, if the sequencer 25 does not operate, the timer 33 operates after a certain period of time. The valve 32 is closed (the other boat is open to the atmosphere), and the outlet supply pipe 23 of the control gas system 20 is unpressurized, so that the gas-driven valve 10. for hydrogen and oxygen is closed.
14 is in a closed state, and hydrogen and oxygen are not supplied to the fuel cell 1, and the fuel cell 1 is purged with nitrogen as described above.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a control gas system including a first electromagnetic switching valve, a second electromagnetic switching valve and a third electromagnetic switching valve are provided.
A solenoid switching valve with a return spring is arranged in series, and a bypass pipe is provided that bypasses the second solenoid switching valve and connects the first electromagnetic switching valve and a third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring. When the battery power generator is in operation, the second electromagnetic switching valve is closed (the other boat is open to the atmosphere), and the control gas is flowed into the control gas system via the bypass pipe to create a gas-driven valve for fuel gas and oxidizing gas. Open the fuel gas and oxidizer gas 4Q! -By supplying power to one battery, even if the power supply or sequencer that operates these electromagnetic switching valves fails, the second
Since the electromagnetic switching valve is already open to the atmosphere, there is no control gas to open the gas-driven valve, so it closes, stopping the supply of fuel gas and oxidizing gas to the fuel cell, and stopping the fuel cell power generation. The device can be stopped smoothly.

In addition, by providing a fourth gas-driven switching valve with a return spring and a timer, if the sequencer, etc. breaks down after the first electromagnetic switching valve is opened to communicate with the control gas system at startup, the timer will be activated. After a set period of time, the fourth gas-driven switching valve with return spring is closed (the other boat is opened to the atmosphere).
Therefore, the control gas that opens and closes the gas-driven valve becomes unpressurized, so the gas-driven valves for fuel gas and oxidizing gas are closed, and the same effect as described above is obtained, and the flow of fuel gas to the fuel cell and The supply of oxidant gas to the fuel cell is stopped, and the fuel cell power generation device can be stopped smoothly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a control device for a fuel cell power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a control device for a fuel cell power generation device according to a different embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a system diagram of a control device for a fuel cell power generation device according to a different embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a control device for a battery power generator. 1 fuel cell, 8 hydrogen cylinder, 12 oxygen cylinder,
10 Gas-driven valve for fuel gas, 14 Gas-driven valve for oxidizing gas, 20 Control gas system, 21.27 Electromagnetic cut-off timer diagram.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A fuel and oxidizer gas-driven valve that supplies and shuts off fuel gas and oxidant gas to a fuel cell containing an alkaline electrolyte, respectively, and opens and closes using a control gas, and the fuel cell A control system comprising: a power supply device operated by the power generated by the power supply; a sequencer operated by the power supply device; and a first electromagnetic switching valve that controls the flow and cutoff of the control gas based on a control command from the sequencer or manual valve switching. In a control device for an alkaline fuel cell power generation device comprising a gas system, the control gas system includes a second electromagnetic switching valve that allows the control gas to flow through or shut off by switching the valve according to a control command from a sequencer, and a third return spring. A solenoid switching valve with a return spring is connected in series with the first solenoid switching valve, and the second solenoid switching valve is bypassed, and the first solenoid switching valve and the third solenoid switching valve with a return spring are connected in series. A control device for an alkaline fuel cell power generation device, characterized in that a bypass pipe is provided for connecting the. 2) In the control device for an alkaline fuel cell power generation apparatus according to claim 1, a gas-driven switching valve is inserted between the second electromagnetic switching valve and the third electromagnetic switching valve with a return spring, and the bypass pipe is A timer activated by the flowing control gas is provided,
A control device for an alkaline fuel cell power generation device, characterized in that a gas-driven switching valve can be switched by a control gas after a set time of the timer.