JPWO2019208128A1 - Fuel cell device, control device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

The fuel cell device includes a fuel cell, a first tank for storing water recovered from exhaust gas, a water replenishing device for replenishing the first tank with water from the outside, a purifying device for purifying water replenished from the outside, and purification. It includes a failure detection device that detects that the device has failed, and a control device that controls operation. When the failure of the purification device is detected by the failure detection control during the execution of the water replenishment control, the control device does not perform the abnormal stop control, but instead executes the failure countermeasure control that stops the execution of the water replenishment control. To do.

Description

The present disclosure relates to fuel cell devices, control devices and control programs.

There is known a fuel cell module including a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cell cells capable of obtaining electric power by using a fuel gas which is a hydrogen-containing gas and air which is an oxygen-containing gas are stacked in a storage container. Further, various fuel cell devices have been proposed in which the fuel cell module and auxiliary machinery necessary for its operation are housed in a housing such as an outer case.

In such a fuel cell device, excess fuel gas that has not been used for power generation is burned, and the exhaust gas after combustion is passed through a heat exchanger or the like to be cooled. At the time of this heat exchange, the condensed water generated by condensing the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is purified by an ion exchange resin (hereinafter referred to as an ion exchange resin for condensed water) and used in a water tank such as a reformed water tank. Store. Then, so-called water self-sustaining operation is performed in which the stored water is supplied as reformed water to a reformer that reforms raw fuel such as natural gas by steam reforming.

Regarding the operation and control of a fuel cell using such condensed water as reforming water, Patent Document 1 states that when the water level of the water tank for storing the condensed water is lowered and the amount of water is insufficient, the water tank is described. In addition, a fuel cell device that purifies external water such as tap water via an ion exchange resin for external water purification treatment (hereinafter referred to as "ion exchange resin for water replenishment") and then supplies water (hereinafter "replenishment"). , Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-159461

The fuel cell device of the present disclosure includes a fuel cell, a first tank for storing water recovered from exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, a water replenishing device for replenishing the first tank with water from the outside, and replenishment from the outside. A purification device for purifying the water to be produced, a failure detection device for detecting the failure of the purification device, and a control device for controlling the power generation operation of the fuel cell are provided.
The control device is
Water replenishment control for replenishing the first tank with external water by the water replenishment device, and
The breakthrough detection control that detects the breakthrough of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device, and
Abnormal stop control that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an abnormality that requires maintenance occurs,
When the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control by the failure detection control, the water replenishment is performed without executing the abnormality stop control caused by the abnormality of the failure of the purification device. It is possible to execute breakthrough coping control, which stops the execution of control.

Further, the control device of the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a fuel cell device including a fuel cell, and the fuel cell includes a purification device and a breakthrough detection device, and is external inside the fuel cell device. The water replenishment control for replenishing the water and the failure detection control for detecting the failure of the purification device by the failure detection device are included.
The control device stops the execution of the abnormal stop control for stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event requiring the stop of operation occurs, and the execution of the water replenishment control when the purification device breaks down. It is possible to selectively execute breakthrough coping control.
When a failure of the purification device occurs during the execution of the water replenishment control, the control device executes the failure coping control instead of the execution of the abnormal stop control.

Further, the control program of the present disclosure is applied to a control device for controlling a fuel cell device including a fuel cell.
A refill control step that replenishes external water inside the fuel cell device,
A breakthrough detection control step that detects the breakthrough of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device, and
An abnormal stop control step that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation is detected, and
It is a control program for executing a breakthrough coping control step that stops execution of the water replenishment control when a breakage of the purification device is detected.
When the control device detects a failure of the purification device in the failure detection control step during the execution of the water replenishment control step, the water replenishment control step being executed is performed instead of the execution of the abnormal stop control step. Stop and execute the breakthrough coping control step.

The purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the detailed description and drawings below.
It is a schematic block diagram of the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing around the reforming water tank of the fuel cell apparatus which enlarged the F part of FIG. It is an external perspective view of a fuel cell device. It is a flow chart which shows the control flow before the start of the water replenishment control in the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows the control flow after the start of the water replenishment control in the fuel cell apparatus of embodiment.

Hereinafter, the fuel cell device of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams for explaining a schematic configuration of the fuel cell device of the embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration around the reforming water tank, which is an enlarged view of the F portion of FIG.

The fuel cell device 100 of the embodiment includes power supply by operating a fuel cell module 1 that generates electricity using raw fuel such as natural gas and LP gas, and a heat exchanger 3, a radiator, and a heat medium circulation pump. It is equipped with an exhaust heat recovery system consisting of P2 and a heat storage tank. The waste heat recovery system is indicated by the symbol HS (heat cycle) in the figure. Further, the fuel cell device 100 may be a so-called monogeneration system that does not supply hot water.

In addition to the fuel cell module 1 and the like described above, the fuel cell device 100 includes a reforming water tank 6, a power conditioner 20, a control device 30, a storage device 40, a display device 50, and the like as auxiliary devices. Further, the fuel cell device 100 includes a reforming water flow path R including a reforming water pump P1, a drainage flow path D, and various sensors. The sensors include a water level detector WL _{1 located at a medium water level, a water detector WL 2} located at a low water level, and an electrical conductivity meter which is a water quality measuring device for measuring the water quality of refill water. It includes at least WC _1.

The fuel cell module 1 is housed in the storage container 10. A cell stack 11 in which a plurality of fuel cell cells are stacked, a reformer 12 that reforms the raw fuel with steam using steam, and an ignition heater for igniting excess fuel gas (not shown). , And an exhaust gas catalyst or the like filled in the catalyst container 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell module 1 is arranged in a case 50 including each frame 51 and an exterior panel (not shown).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the case 50 contains a gas pump B1 for supplying raw fuel such as natural gas to the reformer, and an oxygen-containing gas such as outside air or air, as illustrated in FIG. In the reforming water pump P1 and the reforming water tank 6 for supplying the reformed water in the reforming water tank 6 to the reformer 12 as the raw material water for steam reforming. A drainage channel D or the like for draining the surplus water of the above is arranged.

Further, in the case 50, as described above, the power conditioner 20 linked with the system power supply, the control device 30 including the control board for controlling the entire device, the storage device 40, etc., and the operation of the fuel cell are controlled. Various sensors used for this purpose are also arranged.

In the fuel cell device 100 having the above-described configuration, the heat exchanger 3 arranged adjacent to the fuel cell module 1 includes the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module 1, the water flowing in the heat exchanger 3, and the like. Heat exchange is performed with the heat medium or fuel cell of the above, and the moisture contained in the exhaust gas condenses to generate condensed water.

The generated condensed water is separated by a gas-liquid separator or the like, collected via the condensed water flow path C, and stored in the reformed water tank 6. The reformed water tank 6 is an example of the first tank in the present disclosure.

The exhaust gas from which the water has been removed is exhausted to the outside of the fuel cell device via the exhaust gas flow path E. Further, the reformed water stored in the reformed water tank 6 is supplied to the reformer 12 in the fuel cell module 1 via the reformed water flow path R and the reformed water pump P1, and the reformed water is used. It is used for steam reforming of raw materials and fuels.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion related to the power generation operation of the fuel cell and the reformed water used for the fuel cell in the configuration of the fuel cell device 100, that is, the inside of the two-point chain line F of FIG.

The reformed water tank 6 for purifying and storing condensed water is composed of a first reformed water tank 61 for purification treatment and a second reformed water tank 62 for storage. The first reformed water tank 61 and the second reformed water tank 62 are connected by a lower water pipe 65 and communicate with each other.

A reforming water outlet 62a connected to a suction port of the reforming water pump P1 is provided at the lower part or the bottom of the second reforming water tank 62 for storing the generated reforming water. Further, a surplus water outlet 62b connected to the drainage flow path D is provided on the upper side surface of the second reforming water tank 62.

_{At the lower part of the second reformed water tank 62, a water detector WL 2} for detecting that the clean water level, which is the water level of the stored reformed water, has reached the drought level, which is the lower limit water level, is arranged. ..

The black dot at the tip of each sensor in the figure indicates the position where the sensor is arranged or the detection position at the tip of the probe or the like. _{Further, the drought level indicated by the detection position of the water detector WL 2} located at the low water level described above is a predetermined predetermined amount of water, that is, an embodiment, which is a reference for executing the abnormal stop control described later in the present disclosure. It is also an index showing the lower limit water level in.

The first reformed water tank 61 for collecting and purifying the condensed water to prepare the reformed water is filled with an ion exchange resin for condensed water for purifying the condensed water recovered from the heat exchanger 3. The first ion exchange resin container 63 was filled with a second ion exchange resin for replenishing water for purifying tap water or the like (hereinafter referred to as external water) replenished from the outside when the reformed water was insufficient. An ion exchange resin container 64 is arranged.

Water detection for detecting that the water level, which is the water level of the stored reformed water, has dropped to the medium water level, which is a predetermined set water level, at a predetermined intermediate position of the first reformed water tank 61. The vessel WL ₁ is arranged.

Then, in the fuel cell device 100 of the present embodiment, as a water replenishment device for replenishing the water tank from the outside, as shown in FIG. 2, the reformed water tank 6 and the water supply (Waterworks) which is an external water source. between the like, water refilling channel G containing water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated is provided.

The end portion of the water supply flow path G on the downstream side is connected to an external water receiving port 61a provided in the lower part of the first reforming water tank 61. The external water flowing in from the external water receiving port 61a passes through the extension pipe 61b arranged inside the tank from the external water introduction port 64a provided at the bottom of the second ion exchange resin container 64. It is introduced into the reforming water tank 61.

Further, the second ion exchange resin container 64 is filled with the above-mentioned ion exchange resin for water replenishment for purification of external water. While the external water passes through the ion exchange resin for water replenishment, impurities contained in tap water and the like are removed, and deionized water having a conductivity of about 1 μS / cm, that is, replenished water which is purified water is purified. To.

The electric conductivity meter WC ₁ in the figure is an example of a breakthrough detection device that determines whether or not the above-mentioned ion exchange resin for water replenishment has breakage. The electric conductivity meter WC ₁ is arranged on the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 64 in which the replenishment water stays so that the conductivity of the replenishment water which is the deionized water after the purification treatment can be measured. ..

The purified water flows out from the purified water outlet 64b provided on the upper side surface of the second ion exchange resin container 64, flows down to the water storage portion in the first reformed water tank 61, and is reformed water. Is stored as.

In the fuel cell device 100 of the present embodiment, when the reforming water in the reforming water tank 6 is insufficient, the external water such as the above-mentioned tap water is purified through the ion exchange resin for refilling, and then refilled. Is introduced into the reformed water tank 6. The conditions and control of water replenishment will be described later.

The fuel cell device 100 then includes a control device 30 that includes at least one processor to provide control and processing power to perform various functions, as described in detail below.

According to various embodiments, at least one processor may be run as a single integrated circuit or as multiple communicable integrated and / or discrete circuits. At least one processor can be run according to a variety of known techniques.

In one embodiment, the processor comprises, for example, one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data calculation procedures or processes by executing instructions stored in the associated memory. In other embodiments, the processor may be firmware, eg, a discrete logic component, configured to perform one or more data computation procedures or processes.

According to various embodiments, the processor is one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or devices thereof or Any combination of configurations, or other known device and configuration combinations, may be included to perform the functions described below.

The control device 30 includes a storage device 40, a display device 50, a power conditioner 20, a fuel cell module 1, a raw fuel supply device such as a gas pump B1, and an oxygen-containing gas supply device such as an air blower B2. Water supply devices such as quality water pump P1, water supply devices such as water supply _{flow path G including water stop valve V 1} , medium water level water detector WL ₁ , low water level water detector WL _2, etc. It is connected to various sensors such as a water level detector and a water quality measuring device such as an electric conductivity meter WC ₁ , and controls and manages the entire fuel cell device 100 including each of these functional units.

The control device 30 acquires a program stored in the storage device 40 and executes this program to realize various functions related to each part of the fuel cell device 100. Further, the display device 50 visualizes the designated necessary information and an alarm or warning based on the instruction signal from the control device 30. The display device 50 may be provided with a sounding function for notifying an alarm, a warning, or the like by sound.

When a control signal or various kinds of information is transmitted from the control device 30 to another functional unit or device, the control device 30 and the other functional unit may be connected by wire or wirelessly. The control characteristic of the present embodiment performed by the control device 30 will be described later. In the present embodiment, the control device 30 particularly controls the replenishment of the external water described above to the reformed water storage unit. Further, in the figure, the connection line connecting the control device 30, the storage device 40, the display device 50, each device constituting the fuel cell, and each sensor may be omitted.

The storage device 40 can store programs and data. The storage device 40 may also be used as a work area for temporarily storing the processing result. The storage device 40 includes a recording medium. The recording medium may include any non-transitory storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium and a magnetic storage medium. Further, the storage device 40 may include a plurality of types of storage media.

The storage device 40 may include a combination of a portable storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and a storage reading device. The storage device 40 may include a storage device used as a temporary storage area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Next, the replenishment control when the reformed water is insufficient by the fuel cell device having the above configuration is performed as follows. The following description will be given based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, each step in the flowchart is abbreviated as "S" and is referred to as "S". For example, step 1, step 2 ... Are referred to as [S1], [S2] ..., respectively. The same is true in the figure.

The control device 30 of the fuel cell device is transmitted _{by the water detector WL 1} arranged at a predetermined intermediate position of the reforming water tank 6 which is the first tank during normal or normal times when no abnormality is detected in the system. It is determined whether or not the water detection signal is received _{until the water detection signal is interrupted, that is, until the water detection signal from the water detector WL 1} at the medium water level, which is the first predetermined water level, cannot be received [S1]. Loop, that is, "Yes" on the left side of the drawing in [S1] of the flowchart is repeated while waiting.

_{When the water detection signal transmitted by the medium water level water detector WL 1} is no longer received during the loop of the above [S1], that is, the water level of the condensed water stored in the first reforming water tank 61 is set. When the water level falls below the predetermined medium water level indicating the first predetermined water level and the branching determination becomes "No", the control device 30 first receives the external water before starting the water replenishment control [S3] shown in FIG. 4B. The breakthrough determination control [S2] for determining whether or not replenishment is possible is executed.

The breakthrough determination control [S2] is independently executed in the control device 30 including the storage device 40, such as a controller system or a computer system, and does not use a sensor, a measuring instrument, or the like. That is, the breakthrough determination control [S2] is a value of a computer flag (hereinafter referred to as a CP flag) indicating the breakage of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, which is preset in the program or the like constituting the control device 30 or the like. However, depending on whether it is "0 (zero)" or "1" at present, whether or not the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has ruptured before the present, or a record in which the rupture has occurred. Is not left or not. The setting of the CP flag and the abnormal stop control [S12] and the fault alarm control [S14] that may be executed when the CP flag is “1” will be described later.

Then, in the breakthrough determination control [S2], if the value of the CP flag indicating the breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is "0", the breakage has not occurred before the present, and conversely, the CP If the value of the flag is "1", the control device 30 determines that the water replenishment ion exchange resin has broken.

In the breakthrough determination control [S2] of FIG. 4A, when the branch determination is “Yes”, that is, the value of the CP flag indicating the breakthrough is “0” (Flag = 0), the control device 30 is shown in FIG. 4B. Shift to water replenishment control [S3].

When it is confirmed that the water replenishment ion exchange resin is not broken, the control device 30 starts the water replenishment control after [S3]. Rehydration control, water detectors WL ₁ is located in the middle water level to the output of water detection signal is performed by repeating opening and closing operations of Tomesuiben V _1.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4B, as [S4], opened for external water introduction, the water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated disposed in the water supply passage G, tap an external water Water is introduced into the second ion exchange resin container 64, and water replenishment is started. Hereinafter, the external water will be referred to as "tap water".

Rehydration supplies tap water takes place during the first hour (T1) (S5), after the first hour T1, the water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated is closed by an instruction of the control unit 30 [S6 ]. The first time T1 is a time of several seconds to several tens of seconds, and in this example, it is, for example, 3.5 seconds.

Next, after closing the _{water stop valve V 1} in [S6], the control device 30 stores the time when the water stop _{valve V 1} is open as described above, that is, the first time T1 in this example, and the storage device 40. stores the, already stored, "open" time in total-integration of previous valves V _1, to calculate the cumulative valve opening time V _T is the accumulated value, is recorded [S7]. Incidentally, "open" integration time of the valve V ₁ by the control device 30 described above is an example of the auxiliary water accumulation device in the present embodiment, the integration of the auxiliary water (operation), is realized by a combination of existing devices This is an example. The configuration of the water replenishment amount integrating device is not limited to this example, and may be another configuration as described later.

Next, in [S8], the control device 30 determines whether or not the water replenishment ion exchange resin has reached the end of its life or usage limit. Determination, previously mentioned, the cumulative valve opening time V _T is an integrated value of the first time T1 confirms whether a predetermined first value (W1) below, as a co water confirmation control Will be executed.

If, when the first value S1 described above is 7200 seconds (2 hours), the cumulative valve opening time _{V T} is equal to or less than 7200 seconds branch determination is "Yes", the control device 30, auxiliary water for ion It is determined that the replacement resin has not reached the end of its life, and the next step, the water amount recovery determination [S9], is performed.

Also, in [S8], the cumulative valve opening time V _T is greater than a first value W1 of the above or above, if the branch judgment is "No", the control device 30, auxiliary water for the ion exchange resin is reached the life First electricity arranged so as to measure the conductivity of the deionized water to determine whether or not the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has broken down in [S17]. The conductivity confirmation control, which is confirmed using the conductivity meter WC _{1, is executed.} With this configuration, the reliability of the breakthrough determination can be improved.

As described above, in the present flowchart accumulated time open water stopping valves V ₁ in [S7], compared with the first value W1 and the integrated value V _T in [S8], the first value W1 If it exceeds, [S17] is executed. However, the water replenishment amount confirmation control consisting of [S7] and [S8] is. It can be omitted or replaced by other configurations. If omitted, each time you close the Tomesuiben V _1, may be performed to confirm the conductivity of the deionized water.

In [S17] of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4B, the second value W2, which is a criterion for determining the conductivity of deionized water, which is a criterion for detecting fracture, is set to 60 μs.

_{Then, in [S17], the conductivity of the deionized water measured by the first} electric conductivity meter WC 1 arranged on the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 64 is 60 μs or less, which is a determination standard, “Yes. , The control device 30 shifts to the next step, the water amount recovery determination [S9].

The above-mentioned [S8] water replenishment amount confirmation control and [17] conductivity confirmation control indicate two determination conditions of the breakthrough detection control in the present disclosure. Either [S8] water replenishment amount confirmation control or [17] conductivity confirmation control may be performed first, and the confirmation order can be interchanged. Moreover, beyond the cumulative valve opening time V _T is first value W1 in the auxiliary water check control described above, and the conductivity of the deionized water first conductivity meter WC ₁ in conductivity confirmation control has been measured is first When the binary value W2 is exceeded, it is determined that the water replenishment ion exchange resin has broken.

The water amount recovery determination [S9] is performed by using _{the water detector WL 1} arranged at a predetermined intermediate position of the reforming water tank 6 which is the first tank, as in the case of [S1] in FIG. 4A. This is a step of confirming whether or not the water level of the reformed water in the reformed water tank 6 has recovered to the medium water level, which is the first predetermined water level, by the water replenishment operation.

In the water amount recovery determination [S9], the water detector WL ₁ has transmitted a water detection signal, and the water level of the reformed water in the reformed water tank 6 has recovered to the medium water level which is the first predetermined water level. If it is confirmed and the branch determination is "Yes", the control device 30 normally ends the water replenishment control [S10] and returns to the start [S0] which is the beginning of the flow.

After finishing the water replenishment control [S10], the power generation operation may be stopped, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the power generation operation may be restarted. Since the control is restarted without undergoing maintenance, it does not fall under the abnormal stop control of the present disclosure.

On the contrary, in the water amount recovery determination [S9], the water detector WL ₁ does not transmit a water detection signal, and the water level of the reformed water in the reformed water tank 6 reaches the medium water level which is the first predetermined water level. not recovered, when the branch determination is "no", the control unit 30, rehydration water supply passage in a closed state of the water stop valve V ₁ of the arranged electromagnetic openable to G, the second time ( Wait [S16] for T2).

Then, the process returns to (S4), by opening the water stop valve V _1, the rehydration operations for introducing tap water into a second ion exchange resin container 64 performs again. The water replenishment control as described above may be repeated a plurality of times so as to loop on the flowchart.

The second time T2 is a time of several seconds to several tens of seconds, and in this example, it is, for example, 12 seconds. In the ion exchange resin for refilling water, impurities and the like are removed from the tap water introduced into the reforming water tank 6 during the second time T2 to generate refilling water. Order to ensure purification of tap water, the second time T2 is previously described, is set longer than the first time T1 is "open" time of the water stop valve V ₁ of the solenoid-operated for rehydration.

_{Further, in [S17], the conductivity of the deionized water measured by the first} electric conductivity meter WC 1 arranged on the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 64 exceeds 60 μs, and the ion exchange for refilling water is performed. When it is detected or suspected that the resin has broken, that is, when the branch determination in [S17] is "No", the control device 30 is a program or the like constituting the above-mentioned control device 30 or the like. The value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment, which is preset in the above, is rewritten from "0 (zero)" to "1" [S18], and then the water replenishment control is stopped [S19]. Then, it returns to the start [S0] which is the beginning of the flow.

Even when the water replenishment ion exchange resin is suspected to be broken, the control device 30 of the present embodiment is exemplified in [S12] if there is no abnormality other than the above-mentioned water replenishment ion exchange resin breakage. The value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the ion exchange resin for refilling water is rewritten from 0 to 1 [S18] without executing the abnormal stop control for stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell device. After that, the water replenishment control is stopped [S19].

Therefore, when the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control, the control device 30 in the present embodiment is caused by the occurrence of a failure abnormality in the purification device, that is, the failure of the purification device. The abnormal stop control caused by the above is not executed, and instead, the execution of the water replenishment control being executed is stopped [S19]. This is an example of the breakthrough countermeasure control of the present disclosure, and at the same time, an exceptional measure or an abnormal stop control of the abnormal stop control executed when the "abnormality requiring maintenance" described later occurs. It is also an example of an exception.

The CP flag value may be rewritten [S18] after the water replenishment control is stopped [S19]. Further, although not shown in the flowchart of the present embodiment, the failure alarm control such as [S14] for notifying the outside that the purification device has failed is performed before or after the stop of the water replenishment control [S19]. You can also do it.

Next, when the CP flag value is rewritten to "1" in [S18], the water replenishment control is stopped, and the start [S0] of the flowchart of FIG. 4A is restored, the water level of the condensed water in the tank drops again. When the flow progresses to the breakthrough determination control [S2] via [S1], unlike the one described above, this time, in the breakthrough determination control [S2], the branch determination is "No" (Flag = 1). ).

_{Therefore, in [S11], the control device 30 newly determines whether or not the water detector WL 2} at the low water level position, which is the drought position of the reforming water tank 6, transmits a water detection signal, that is, in the tank. Check if the water level of the stored condensed water has dropped to a dangerous level.

In this [S11], if _{the water detection signal from the water detector WL 2 at} the low water level position is continuously detected as "Yes", the amount of reformed water stored in the reformed water tank 6 is still dangerous. Determining that the level has not dropped to the level, the control device 30 returns to the loop of [S1] described above.

That is, even if the ion exchange resin for water replenishment has broken down and the water replenishment control after [S3} cannot be executed, the fuel cell until the amount of reformed water stored falls below the dangerous level. The power generation operation of the device is continued. However, when the power generation operation is continued without replenishing water in this way, the water level of the reforming water tank 6 will gradually decrease unless the amount of condensed water collected increases.

Then, in [S11], if _{the water detection signal from the water detector WL 2 at} the low water level position is interrupted to "No", the control device 30 has the amount of reformed water stored in the reformed water tank 6. Judge that it has dropped to a dangerous level. When the water level in the reforming water tank 6 becomes lower than the low water level, it is necessary to stop the power generation operation once [S12] and perform maintenance.

That is, the power generation operation cannot be restarted until the manual maintenance is completed. As described above, the control for stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell device when an abnormal event requiring maintenance occurs is an example of the abnormal stop control, and the above example is the amount of water stored in the tank. Is an abnormal stop control caused by the fact that the amount of water is less than a predetermined amount.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4A, the above-mentioned abnormal stop control displays, for example, information on the abnormality (cause information) that caused the execution of the abnormal stop control in accordance with the stop [S12] of the power generation operation. It may be notified to the outside [S13] through 50 or the like.

Further, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, after the above-mentioned cause information is reported to the outside [S13], the information that "the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is broken" is reported to the outside. It is possible to execute the burst alarm control [S14]. The method of issuing the abnormality information (breakage information) in the failure report control may be the same as or different from the method of issuing the abnormality information in the above-mentioned abnormal stop control.

As described in detail above, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment do not immediately stop the operation even if the ion exchange resin breaks, so that the power generation operation can be efficiently performed.

Further, with this configuration, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment perform maintenance of the ion exchange resin for replenishment, and the drought in which the amount of reformed water stored becomes less than the dangerous level as described above. When an abnormality occurs, it can be performed at the same timing as the maintenance for resolving the abnormality. Therefore, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment can reduce the number of maintenances.

Further, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, after rewriting the value of the CP flag indicating the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin from "0" to "1" [S18], the CP flag "1" Is not reset without instructions from the administrator including the user and the like. That is, in other words, when the control device 30 detects the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, the control device 30 executes the failure record control for rewriting the CP flag indicating the failure of the water replenishment ion exchange resin to "1". The record holding control that keeps the CP flag at "1" is executed until a record erasing command or the like from the outside is received.

With this configuration, the fuel cell device, the control device, and the control program of the present embodiment store the rupture or suspected rupture of the water replenishment ion exchange resin, and modify as described above. When a drought abnormality occurs in which the amount of quality water stored is less than the dangerous level, in addition to signals, reports, etc. that are information issued to the outside about this drought abnormality, an abnormality has occurred in the ion exchange resin for refilling water. Information can be reliably transmitted to the administrator and the like.

The above-described embodiment is an example of breakthrough control of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment in the fuel cell device of the present disclosure. Further, in the above example, as an example of the water replenishment amount integrating device used for the water replenishment amount confirmation control included in the breakthrough detection control in the control device 30, it is an integration / accumulation item of the amount of water that has flowed through the ion exchange resin for water replenishment. While using cumulative valve opening time V _T of the solenoid-operated water stop valve V _1, for example, flow meters for measuring the tap water is the external water, the hourly inflow into the second ion-exchange resin container 64, Alternatively, when a water meter or the like is provided, the value obtained from those sensors, that is, the amount of water may be integrated, and the value of the cumulative amount of water may be used as an index or reference for determining the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for refilling water. These flow meters, water meter, and the like are also examples of the water replenishment amount integrating device.

Further, for example, the tap water is the external water, the inflow into the second ion-exchange resin container 64, the time and the water replenishment passage water stop valve V ₁ disposed in G is opened If it can be calculated by calculation based on the water pressure or flow rate of the external water flowing in the water supply flow path G, the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the valve opening time flows into the second ion exchange resin container 64. As the cumulative amount of water produced, it may be used for determining the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for refilling water.

In the embodiment, as an example of "anomalies other than the breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment" in which the abnormal stop control is executed in the fuel cell device, the water level in the reformed water tank 6 is set to a drought level below the low water level. However, the abnormal events / phenomena that require maintenance in the present disclosure are not limited to this.

In addition, the above-mentioned abnormality of the breakthrough of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment is also included in the above-mentioned abnormality that requires maintenance because maintenance is finally required. However, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, the treatment of this "abnormality of breakage of the ion exchange resin for water replenishment" is separated from "other abnormalities requiring maintenance" and treated exceptionally as a special case. Is.

Further, although not shown in the flowchart of the present embodiment, there is a case where the conductivity of the deionized water collected in the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 64 filled with the water replenishment ion exchange resin exceeds the third value. It corresponds to an abnormal event that requires maintenance in this disclosure.

In that case, the control device 30 determines that an abnormality of the electric conductivity meter or an abnormality of the water replenishment solenoid valve has occurred, and executes the abnormal stop control. The third value is a value larger than the above-mentioned second value, and is, for example, about 100 μs. Whether or not the conductivity of the deionized water collected in the upper part of the second ion exchange resin container 64 exceeds the third value may be determined at all times during the power generation operation.

The control device 30 and the storage device 40 of the fuel cell device can also be realized as a configuration provided outside the fuel cell device 100. Further, it can be realized as a control method including a characteristic control step in the control device 30 according to the present disclosure, or as a control program for causing a computer to execute the above steps.

Further, the cell stack device and the fuel cell module are not limited to SOFC, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell (PEFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell [Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)], and a fuel cell. , Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) and the like.

Moreover, the present disclosure can be carried out in various other forms without departing from its spirit or key characteristics. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects, and the scope of the present disclosure is shown in the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes that fall within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure.

1 Fuel cell module 6 Remodeling water tank (1st tank)
61 1st reformed water tank 62 2nd reformed water tank 63 1st ion exchange resin container 64 2nd ion exchange resin container 30 Control device 40 Storage device 50 Display device 100 Fuel cell device

V ₁ Water stop valve G Water supply flow path WC ₁ Electric conductivity meter WL ₁ Water detector (medium water level sensor)
WL ₂ water detector (low water level sensor)

Claims (9)

With a fuel cell
A first tank for storing water recovered from the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, and
A water replenishing device that replenishes the first tank with water from the outside,
A purification device that purifies water supplied from the outside,
A breakthrough detection device that detects the breakthrough of the purification device, and
A control device for controlling the power generation operation of the fuel cell is provided.
The control device is
Water replenishment control for replenishing the first tank with external water by the water replenishment device, and
The breakthrough detection control that detects the breakthrough of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device, and
Abnormal stop control that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an abnormality that requires maintenance occurs,
When the failure of the purification device is detected during the execution of the water replenishment control by the failure detection control, the water replenishment is performed without executing the abnormality stop control caused by the abnormality of the failure of the purification device. Breakthrough control, which stops the execution of control,
A fuel cell device that is viable. The cause is that the control device stops the execution of the water replenishment control in the breakthrough countermeasure control, and then the amount of water stored in the first tank becomes less than a predetermined predetermined amount of water. When the abnormal stop control is executed,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell device according to claim 1 executes a breakthrough reporting control that notifies the failure information of the purification device to the outside. A storage device for storing a program executed by the control device and information necessary for executing the program is further provided.
The control device is
A breakthrough record control that records the breakage detection of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device in the storage device, and
It is possible to execute a record holding control for holding a record of the failure of the purification device in the storage device.
When the failure of the purification device is detected by the failure detection control, the control device executes the failure recording control and executes the record holding control until a record erasing command from the outside is received. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2. The breakthrough detection device is
A replenishment amount integrating device that is replenished from the outside and integrates the amount of water that has passed through the purification device,
Including a water quality measuring device for measuring the conductivity of external water via the purifying device.
The breakthrough detection control
Water replenishment amount confirmation control for confirming whether or not the integrated value indicating the total amount of external water passing through the purification device exceeds a predetermined first value, and
The control device includes a conductivity confirmation control for confirming whether or not the value of the conductivity of external water passing through the purification device exceeds a predetermined second value, and the control device is used in the fracture detection control. ,
The integrated value in the water replenishment amount confirmation control exceeds the first value, and
When the value of the conductivity in the conductivity confirmation control exceeds the second value,
The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which detects that the purification device has failed. The water replenishing device includes an electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve that controls the inflow of externally replenished water.
The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein the integrated value is a value obtained by integrating the time during which the water stop valve is open. The water replenishing device includes an electromagnetic opening / closing type water stop valve that controls the inflow of externally replenished water.
In the water replenishment control, the water stop valve opening / closing control of opening the water stop valve continuously for a predetermined first time and then closing the water stop valve continuously for a predetermined second time is repeated a plurality of times. The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel cell device is executed. The fuel cell device according to claim 6, wherein the first time is shorter than the second time. A control device that controls a fuel cell device including a fuel cell.
The fuel cell includes a purification device and a breakthrough detection device.
Refill control to replenish external water inside the fuel cell device,
The breakthrough detection control for detecting the breakage of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device includes.
Abnormal stop control to stop the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation occurs,
It is possible to selectively execute the breakthrough coping control that stops the execution of the water replenishment control when the breakage occurs in the purification device.
A control device that executes the failure coping control instead of the abnormal stop control when a failure of the purification device occurs during the execution of the water replenishment control. For a control device that controls a fuel cell device equipped with a fuel cell,
A refill control step that replenishes external water inside the fuel cell device,
A breakthrough detection control step that detects the breakthrough of the purification device by the breakthrough detection device, and
An abnormal stop control step that stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell when an event that requires the stop of operation is detected, and
A control program for executing a failure coping control step that stops execution of the water replenishment control when a failure of the purification device is detected.
When a failure of the purification device is detected in the failure detection control step during the execution of the water replenishment control step, the execution of the abnormal stop control step is stopped, and the execution of the water replenishment control step is stopped. A control program that executes a breakthrough control step.

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