US20260043161A1 - Operation support apparatus, operation support system, operation support method, and non-transitory computer readable medium - Google Patents

Operation support apparatus, operation support system, operation support method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

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Publication number
US20260043161A1
US20260043161A1 US19/363,620 US202519363620A US2026043161A1 US 20260043161 A1 US20260043161 A1 US 20260043161A1 US 202519363620 A US202519363620 A US 202519363620A US 2026043161 A1 US2026043161 A1 US 2026043161A1
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Prior art keywords
estimated value
electrolyzer
aqueous solution
operating condition
amount
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US19/363,620
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English (en)
Inventor
Hiroaki Yoshino
Akihito ISHII
Takeaki Sasaki
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Asahi Kasei Corp
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Asahi Kasei Corp
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
    • C25B15/023—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
    • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/34—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/34—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
    • C25B1/46—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis in diaphragm cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
    • C25B15/023—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production
    • C25B15/025—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production of electrolyte parameters
    • C25B15/027—Temperature
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
    • C25B15/023—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production
    • C25B15/025—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production of electrolyte parameters
    • C25B15/029—Concentration
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
    • C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an operation support apparatus, an operation support system, an operation support method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.
  • Patent Document 1 describes that “the current calculation unit 55 calculates the current at which the production amount Pa of the product P produced by the plurality of electrolyzers 90 in the period T is maximized, . . . ” (Paragraph 0093).
  • Patent Document 2 describes that “the estimation unit estimates the performance degradation rate based on the concentration profile” (claim 1 ).
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrolytic apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of one electrolyzer 90 in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of details of one electrolysis cell 91 in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a view of the ion exchange membrane 84 of FIG. 3 as viewed in a Y axis direction.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a vicinity of an ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 illustrated in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an operation support apparatus 100 and a diagram illustrating an example of an operation support system 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an accumulation amount of an impurity Im and current efficiency CE for each impurity Im.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an elastic deformation amount of a gasket 85 and the current efficiency CE.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a remaining amount of a metallic coating agent on a surface of a cathode 82 and a surface of an anode 80 and a voltage CV of the electrolyzer 90 for each material of the coating agent.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first set value Vs 1 of a parameter Pr 2 when there are a plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 when there are the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an estimated value VL in an electrolyzer 90 - 1 and time.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the estimated value VL in an electrolyzer 90 - 2 and the time.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 1 and the time.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 2 and the time.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of estimation of the estimated value VL.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the estimation of the estimated value VL.
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of candidates for an operating condition Cd.
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer 2200 in which the operation support apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be entirely or partially embodied.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrolytic apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the electrolytic apparatus 200 of the present example includes a plurality of electrolyzers 90 (an electrolyzer 90 - 1 to an electrolyzer 90 -M (M is an integer of 2 or more)).
  • the electrolyzer 90 electrolyzes an electrolyte.
  • the electrolytic apparatus 200 of the present example includes an inlet tube 92 , an inlet tube 93 , an outlet tube 94 , and an outlet tube 95 .
  • the inlet tube 92 and the inlet tube 93 are connected to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the outlet tube 94 and the outlet tube 95 are connected to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the electrolytic apparatus 200 electrolyzes an electrolyte.
  • the electrolyzer 90 electrolyzes an electrolyte.
  • the electrolyte is, for example, a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • a case where the electrolyte is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution is referred to as brine electrolysis.
  • the electrolyzer 90 In the case of brine electrolysis, the electrolyzer 90 generates Cl 2 (chlorine) by electrolyzing a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution in an anode chamber 79 (described later), and generates NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and H 2 (hydrogen) by electrolyzing H 2 O (water) in a cathode chamber 98 (described later).
  • the electrolyte electrolyzed in the electrolyzer 90 may be a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • a case where the electrolyte is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution is referred to as alkaline water electrolysis.
  • the electrolyzer 90 generates O 2 (oxygen) and H 2 (hydrogen) by electrolyzing a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • a first aqueous solution 70 is introduced into each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 may be introduced into each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 after passing through the inlet tube 92 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is an aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride.
  • An alkali metal is an element belonging to Group 1 of the periodic table.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 may be a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • a second aqueous solution 72 is introduced into each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the second aqueous solution 72 may be introduced into each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 after passing through the inlet tube 93 .
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • a third aqueous solution 74 and a gas 77 are discharged from each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the third aqueous solution 74 and the gas 77 may be discharged to an outside of the electrolytic apparatus 200 after passing through the outlet tube 94 .
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is an aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution
  • the gas 77 is Cl 2 (chlorine).
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • a fourth aqueous solution 76 and a gas 78 are discharged from each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 and the gas 78 may be discharged to the outside of the electrolytic apparatus 200 after passing through the outlet tube 95 .
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 is an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 is a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the gas 78 (described later) is H 2 (hydrogen).
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of one electrolyzer 90 in FIG. 1 .
  • the electrolyzer 90 may include a plurality of electrolysis cells 91 (an electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to an electrolysis cell 91 -N (N is an integer of 2 or more)). N is 50, for example.
  • each of the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M includes the plurality of electrolysis cells 91 .
  • the inlet tube 92 and the inlet tube 93 are connected to each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is introduced into each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 may be introduced into each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N after passing through the inlet tube 92 .
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is introduced into each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the second aqueous solution 72 may be introduced into each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N after passing through the inlet tube 93 .
  • the outlet tube 94 and the outlet tube 95 are connected to each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the third aqueous solution 74 and the gas 77 (described later) are discharged from each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the third aqueous solution 74 and the gas 77 (described later) may be discharged from each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N to the outside of the electrolytic apparatus 200 after passing through the outlet tube 94 .
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 and the gas 78 are discharged from each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N.
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 and the gas 78 may be discharged from each of the electrolysis cell 91 - 1 to the electrolysis cell 91 -N to the outside of the electrolytic apparatus 200 after passing through the outlet tube 95 .
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of details of one electrolysis cell 91 in FIG. 2 .
  • the electrolyzer 90 includes the anode chamber 79 , an anode 80 , the cathode chamber 98 , a cathode 82 , and an ion exchange membrane 84 , and a gasket 85 .
  • one electrolysis cell 91 includes the anode chamber 79 , the anode 80 , the cathode chamber 98 , the cathode 82 , the ion exchange membrane 84 , and the gasket 85 .
  • the anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are provided inside the electrolysis cell 91 .
  • the anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are partitioned by the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the anode 80 is arranged in the anode chamber 79 .
  • the cathode 82 is arranged in the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the gasket 85 holds the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the gasket 85 prevents a liquid 73 and a liquid 75 from leaking to an outside of the electrolysis cell 91 by holding the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • a gasket 85 - 1 and a gasket 85 - 2 sandwich the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the electrolyzer 90 may have at least one of a temperature sensor 96 or a temperature sensor 97 .
  • the temperature sensor 96 measures a temperature T 1 of the liquid 73 (described later).
  • the temperature sensor 97 measures a temperature T 2 of the liquid 75 (described later). At least one of the temperature T 1 measured by the temperature sensor 96 or the temperature T 2 measured by the temperature sensor 97 may be transmitted to a control unit 60 (described later).
  • the inlet tube 92 and the outlet tube 94 are connected to the anode chamber 79 .
  • the inlet tube 93 and the outlet tube 95 are connected to the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the inlet tube 92 and the inlet tube 93 are connected to a bottom surface 87
  • the outlet tube 94 and the outlet tube 95 are connected to a ceiling surface 88 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is introduced into the anode chamber 79 .
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is introduced into the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the third aqueous solution 74 is discharged from the anode chamber 79 .
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 is discharged from the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the ion exchange membrane 84 is a film-shaped substance which prevents passage of ions having a same sign as ions arranged in the ion exchange membrane 84 and allows passage of ions having a different sign therefrom.
  • the ion exchange membrane 84 is a membrane which allows Na + (sodium ion) to pass therethrough and prevents OH ⁇ (hydroxide ion) and Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) from passing therethrough.
  • the anode 80 and the cathode 82 may be maintained at predetermined positive and negative potentials, respectively.
  • the first aqueous solution 70 introduced into the anode chamber 79 and the second aqueous solution 72 introduced into the cathode chamber 98 are electrolyzed by a potential difference between the anode 80 and the cathode 82 .
  • following chemical reactions take place at the anode 80 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution
  • NaCl (sodium chloride) dissociates into Na + (sodium ion) and Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) in the first aqueous solution 70 .
  • a Cl 2 (chlorine) gas is generated by the chemical reaction represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.
  • the gas 77 (the Cl 2 (chlorine) gas) and the third aqueous solution 74 may be discharged from the anode chamber 79 .
  • Na + (sodium ion) moves from the anode chamber 79 via the ion exchange membrane 84 and then to the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution
  • NaOH (sodium hydroxide) dissociates into Na + (sodium ion) and OH ⁇ (hydroxide ion) in the first aqueous solution 70 .
  • H 2 O (water) and an O 2 (oxygen) gas are generated by the chemical reaction represented by Chemical Formula 1-2.
  • the gas 77 (the O 2 (oxygen) gas) and the third aqueous solution 74 (the H 2 O (water)) may be discharged from the anode chamber 79 .
  • Na + (sodium ion) moves from the anode chamber 79 via the ion exchange membrane 84 and then to the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the liquid 73 may remain in the anode chamber 79 .
  • the liquid 73 may be an aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride.
  • the liquid 73 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • a Na + (sodium ion) concentration and a Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) concentration of the liquid 73 may be smaller than a Na + (sodium ion) concentration and a Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 .
  • the liquid 73 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution
  • a K + (potassium ion) concentration and a Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) concentration of the liquid 73 may be smaller than a K + (potassium ion) concentration and a Cl ⁇ (chloride ion) concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 .
  • the liquid 73 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the second aqueous solution 72 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution
  • NaOH sodium hydroxide
  • a H 2 (hydrogen) gas and OH ⁇ (hydroxide ion) are generated by the chemical reaction represented by Chemical Formula 2.
  • the gas 78 (the H 2 (hydrogen) gas) and the fourth aqueous solution 76 may be discharged from the cathode chamber 98 .
  • a case where the second aqueous solution 72 is a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution is also similar thereto.
  • the liquid 75 may remain in the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the liquid 75 may be an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
  • the liquid 75 is a NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution or a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution.
  • the liquid 75 in which OH ⁇ (hydroxide ion) generated by the chemical reaction represented by Chemical Formula 2 and Na + (sodium ion) moved from the anode chamber 79 are dissolved remains in the cathode chamber 98 .
  • FIG. 4 is a view of the ion exchange membrane 84 of FIG. 3 as viewed in a Y axis direction.
  • the gasket 85 of the present example is a frame-shaped member which holds an edge of the ion exchange membrane 84 in an XZ plane. In FIG. 4 , the gasket 85 is indicated by hatching. When viewed in the Y axis direction, the gasket 85 may be arranged so as to surround the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • a lower end 61 of the gasket 85 may be connected to the bottom surface 87 (see FIG. 3 ), and an upper end 62 may be connected to the ceiling surface 88 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • One end 63 in an X axis direction of the gasket 85 may be connected to one inner surface which is one inner surface of the electrolysis cell 91 (see FIG. 3 ) and intersects with the X axis direction.
  • Another end 64 in the X axis direction of the gasket 85 may be connected to another inner surface which is another inner surface of the electrolysis cell 91 (see FIG. 3 ) and intersects with the X axis direction.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a vicinity of the ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 illustrated in FIG. 3 .
  • the gasket 85 of FIG. 4 is omitted.
  • An anion group 86 is fixed to the ion exchange membrane 84 of the present example. Since anions are repelled by the anion group 86 , the anions hardly pass through the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the anions are OH ⁇ (hydroxide ion) and Cl ⁇ (chloride ion). Since a cation 71 is not repelled by the anion group 86 , the cation 71 can pass through the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the first aqueous solution 70 is a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution
  • the cation 71 is Na + (sodium ion).
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an operation support apparatus 100 and a diagram illustrating an example of an operation support system 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support apparatus 100 supports operation of the electrolyzer 90 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the operation support apparatus 100 includes a calculation unit 10 .
  • the operation support apparatus 100 may include an estimation unit 20 , a selection unit 22 , an input unit 30 , an output unit 32 , a storage unit 40 , a current supply unit 50 , and the control unit 60 .
  • the input unit 30 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.
  • the output unit 32 is, for example, a display, a monitor, or the like.
  • the operation support system 300 includes the operation support apparatus 100 and the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the control unit 60 may transmit, to the electrolyzer 90 , a control signal Sc for controlling the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the control unit 60 may wirelessly transmit the control signal Sc.
  • the electrolyzer 90 may transmit a control signal Sc′ to the control unit 60 .
  • the electrolyzer 90 may wirelessly transmit the control signal Sc′.
  • the control signal Sc′ may include at least one of the temperature T 1 (described later) of the liquid 73 or the temperature T 2 (described later) of the liquid 75 .
  • a range of the operation support apparatus 100 is indicated by a broken line
  • a range of the operation support system 300 is indicated by a one-dot chain line.
  • a part or a whole of the operation support apparatus 100 is, as an example, a computer including a CPU, a memory, an interface, or the like.
  • the control unit 60 may be the CPU.
  • the calculation unit 10 , the estimation unit 20 , and the control unit 60 may be one corresponding CPU.
  • an operation support program for causing the computer to function as the operation support apparatus 100 or the operation support system 300 may be installed in the computer, and an operation support program for executing an operation support method to be described later may be installed in the computer.
  • An estimated value of a performance change in electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 is defined as an estimated value VL.
  • the performance change in the electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 may be a performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the anode 80 , the cathode 82 , or the gasket 85 included in the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the estimated value VL may be an estimated value of performance degradation or an estimated value of performance enhancement.
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates an operating condition of the electrolyzer 90 (see FIG. 2 ) based on a first estimated value of the performance change in the electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the first estimated value is defined as a first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the operating condition is defined as an operating condition Cd.
  • the operating condition Cd refers to an operating status of the electrolyzer 90 that can affect a state of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the anode 80 , the cathode 82 , or the gasket 85 .
  • the first estimated value VL 1 is an estimated value of the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the anode 80 , the cathode 82 , or the gasket 85 after a time point when the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd. Accordingly, the calculation unit 10 can calculate the operating condition Cd in consideration of the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the anode 80 , the cathode 82 , or the gasket 85 .
  • the electrolyzer 90 electrolyzes the first aqueous solution 70 . Therefore, one or more impurities can accumulate in the ion exchange membrane 84 as a running time of the electrolyzer 90 elapses.
  • the impurities accumulated in the ion exchange membrane 84 are defined as impurities Im.
  • the impurities Im may be compounds or elements.
  • the one or more impurities Im may refer to one or more types of impurities Im.
  • the performance change in the electrolytic performance may refer to a performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , and may refer to a performance change of the gasket 85 .
  • the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 may refer to a performance change due to accumulation of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 or occurrence of perforation in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the performance change of the gasket 85 may refer to a performance change due to corrosion of the gasket 85 .
  • the liquid 73 may be penetrated between the gasket 85 - 1 and the ion exchange membrane 84 in the Y axis direction, or the liquid 75 may be penetrated between the gasket 85 - 2 and the ion exchange membrane 84 in the Y axis direction. Accordingly, the liquid 73 or the liquid 75 may permeate the gasket 85 . Accordingly, the gasket 85 may corrode.
  • the performance change in the electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 may include performance degradation and performance enhancement in the electrolytic performance.
  • the performance degradation and the performance enhancement in the electrolytic performance may refer to performance degradation and performance enhancement of the ion exchange membrane 84 or the gasket 85 .
  • the performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 is likely to be degraded.
  • the operating condition Cd of the electrolyzer 90 changes, at least a part of the impurity Im accumulated in the ion exchange membrane 84 may be removed. In such a case, the performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 can be enhanced.
  • the performance of the gasket 85 is likely to be degraded.
  • the liquid 73 that has been penetrated between the gasket 85 - 1 and the ion exchange membrane 84 in the Y axis direction or the liquid 75 that has been penetrated between the gasket 85 - 2 and the ion exchange membrane 84 in the Y axis direction may be removed.
  • the temperature T 1 of the liquid 73 see FIG. 3
  • the temperature T 2 of the liquid 75 see FIG. 3
  • the elastic deformation amount (described later) of the gasket 85 may increase.
  • the liquid 73 or the liquid 73 that has penetrated may be removed as described above. In such a case, the performance of the gasket 85 may be enhanced.
  • Base materials of the cathode 82 and the anode 80 may be Ni (nickel).
  • a surface of the cathode 82 and a surface of the anode 80 may be coated with a coating agent made of metal.
  • the metal is, for example, Pt (platinum) or Ru (ruthenium).
  • the coating agent may be formed by plating.
  • Pt (platinum) or Ru (ruthenium) provided on the surface of the cathode 82 may be contained in the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the impurity Im may include Ni (nickel), Pt (platinum), or Ru (ruthenium).
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on an actual value of impurity data regarding an accumulation rate of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the impurity data is defined as impurity data Di.
  • the actual value of the impurity data Di is defined as an actual value Vi.
  • the actual value Vi of the impurity data Di may include an actual value of an accumulation rate or actual value of an accumulation amount of each of one or more elements constituting one or more impurities Im accumulated in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the actual value of the accumulation rate or the actual value of the accumulation amount of each of the one or more elements is defined as an actual value Vi′.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate one or more impurities Im based on the actual value Vi′.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate types of one or more impurities Im based on the actual value Vi′.
  • the type of the impurity Im refers to a type of the compound.
  • the impurity Im is an element, the type of the impurity Im refers to a type of the element.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of the one or more impurities Im estimated.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of the one or more types of impurities Im estimated.
  • the actual value Vi and the actual value Vi′ may be actual analysis data of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the actual analysis data refers to data evaluated by actually analyzing the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the actual value Vi′ may be actual analysis data of a plurality of elements constituting the compound accumulated in the ion exchange membrane 84 , and an accumulation amount or accumulation rate for each of the elements.
  • the actual analysis data may be acquired by actually analyzing the ion exchange membrane 84 detached from the electrolyzer 90 in a state where the operation of the electrolyzer 90 is stopped.
  • the actual analysis data may be acquired by actually analyzing elements contained in the liquid 73 or the liquid 75 leaking from the electrolysis cell 91 in a state where the electrolyzer 90 is operated.
  • the estimation unit 20 can estimate one or more compounds based on the accumulation amount or accumulation rate of each element actually analyzed.
  • the one or more compounds may refer to one or more types of compounds.
  • the estimation unit 20 can estimate types of one or more compounds based on the accumulation amount or accumulation rate of each element actually analyzed.
  • the actual value Vi′ may be analysis data, for each element, of an accumulation amount or accumulation rate of each of one or more elements accumulated in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the estimation unit 20 can estimate one or more elements based on the accumulation amount or accumulation rate of each element actually analyzed.
  • the one or more elements refer to one or more types of elements.
  • the accumulation amount of each of one or more elements constituting the impurity Im may be an accumulation amount over a predetermined certain period Te.
  • the certain period Te is, for example, one year.
  • the accumulation rate of each of one or more elements constituting the impurity Im may be an accumulation amount per predetermined certain period Te′.
  • the certain period Te′ may be equal to or different from the certain period Te.
  • the estimation unit 20 may calculate the accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im for the one or more impurities Im estimated.
  • the accumulation amount of the impurity Im may be an accumulation amount of the impurity Im over a certain period Te′.
  • the accumulation rate of the impurity Im may be an accumulation amount of the impurity Im per certain period Te′.
  • the estimation unit 20 may calculate the accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im for each impurity Im.
  • the actual value Vi may be evaluated in a state where the ion exchange membrane 84 is removed from the electrolyzer 90 , or may be evaluated in a state where the ion exchange membrane 84 is attached to the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the actual value Vi′ may be data obtained by analyzing a relationship between the accumulation amount or the accumulation rate of each of the plurality of elements constituting the impurity Im and the running time of the electrolyzer 90 in a state where the ion exchange membrane 84 or the gasket 85 is attached to the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on an actual value of the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 .
  • a pressing force for sandwiching the ion exchange membrane 84 is applied to the gasket 85 - 1 and the gasket 85 - 2 .
  • the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 refers to a deformation amount of the gasket 85 - 1 or the gasket 85 - 2 due to application of this pressing force.
  • the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 may change.
  • the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 may be a difference between a thickness in the Y axis direction of the gasket 85 before corrosion and a thickness in the Y axis direction of the gasket 85 after corrosion.
  • the thickness in the Y axis direction of the gasket 85 may be an average value or a median value of thicknesses, in the Y axis direction along a periphery of the ion exchange membrane 84 in FIG. 4 , of the gasket 85 arranged around the periphery.
  • the actual value of the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 is defined as an actual value Vj.
  • the actual value Vj may be actual analysis data of the elastic deformation amount.
  • the actual analysis data may be acquired by actually analyzing the gasket 85 detached from the electrolyzer 90 in a state where the operation of the electrolyzer 90 is stopped.
  • the actual analysis data may be acquired by actually analyzing elements contained in the liquid 73 or the liquid 75 leaking from the electrolysis cell 91 in a state where the electrolyzer 90 is operated.
  • the actual value Vi and the actual value Vj may be input by the input unit 30 .
  • the actual value Vi and the actual value Vj input by the input unit 30 may be stored in the storage unit 40 .
  • an alkali metal chloride contained in the liquid 73 may pass through the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the alkali metal chloride having passed through the ion exchange membrane 84 may be contained in the liquid 75 .
  • the liquid 75 is an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
  • the impurity data Di may include concentration data of the impurity Im in the liquid 73 .
  • the actual value Vi may be actual analysis data obtained by actually analyzing the concentration of the impurity Im in the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution.
  • the first estimated value VL 1 is, for example, a decrease rate of the current efficiency CE of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the current efficiency CE refers to a ratio of an actual production amount to a theoretical production amount of a product produced by the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the product is defined as a product P.
  • a theoretical production amount of the product P is defined as a production amount Pa.
  • An actual production amount of the product P is defined as a production amount Pr.
  • the current efficiency CE refers to a ratio of the production amount Pr to the production amount Pa.
  • the current efficiency CE is likely to decrease as the accumulation amount of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 increases.
  • the first estimated value VL 1 may be an increase rate of the voltage CV of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the voltage CV is likely to increase as the accumulation amount of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 increases.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the current efficiency CE for each impurity Im.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the current efficiency CE for each of four impurities Im (an impurity Im 1 to an impurity Im 4 ).
  • Types of the impurity Im 1 to the impurity Im 4 are different from each other.
  • the impurity Im 1 is, for example, a compound of Ba (barium) and I (iodine).
  • the impurity Im 2 is, for example, a compound of Ca (calcium), Sr (strontium), and I (iodine).
  • the impurity Im 3 is, for example, I (iodine).
  • the impurity Im 4 is, for example, a compound of Si (silicon) and Al (aluminum).
  • the current efficiency CE is likely to decrease as the accumulation amount of the impurity Im increases.
  • an amount of decrease in the current efficiency CE per accumulation amount of the impurity Im can vary depending on the type of the impurity Im.
  • the relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the current efficiency CE illustrated in FIG. 7 may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on an accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of a plurality of impurities Im.
  • a performance degradation rate of the ion exchange membrane 84 for each impurity Im is defined as a first estimated value VL 1 ′.
  • the first estimated value VL 1 ′ is a decrease rate of the current efficiency CE.
  • FIG. 6 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on an accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im in the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of a plurality of impurities Im.
  • a performance degradation rate of the ion exchange membrane 84 for each impurity Im is defined as a first estimated value VL 1 ′.
  • the first estimated value VL 1 ′ is a decrease
  • the first estimated values VL 1 ′ of the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 for the impurity Im 1 to the impurity Im 4 are defined as a first estimated value VL 1 ′- 1 to a first estimated value VL 1 ′- 4 , respectively.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 in which a plurality of impurities Im are accumulated, based on a relationship for each impurity Im between the accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the first estimated value VL 1 ′.
  • the relationship between the accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the first estimated value VL 1 ′ may be an actual result of the relationship between the accumulation rate or accumulation amount of the impurity Im and the first estimated value VL 1 ′. In the example of FIG.
  • the estimation unit 20 estimates the first estimated value VL 1 based on a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im 1 and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 1 , a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im 2 and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 2 , a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im 3 and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 3 , and a relationship between the accumulation amount of the impurity Im 4 and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 4 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on the concentration data of the impurity Im in the liquid 73 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate one or more impurities Im based on the concentration data of the impurity Im, and estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of the one or more impurities Im estimated.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate one or more impurities Im based on the actual value Vi′, and estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on accumulation rates or accumulation amounts of the one or more impurities Im estimated and the concentration data of the impurity Im in the liquid 73 .
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 and the current efficiency CE.
  • the current efficiency CE is likely to decrease as the elastic deformation amount decreases, and the current efficiency CE is likely to increase as the elastic deformation amount increases.
  • a pressing force applied to the ion exchange membrane 84 by the cathode 82 may increase.
  • the ion exchange membrane 84 may be damaged.
  • the current efficiency CE is likely to decrease.
  • the relationship between the elastic deformation amount and the current efficiency CE illustrated in FIG. 8 may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on the actual value of the elastic deformation amount of the gasket 85 . In the example of FIG. 8 , the estimation unit 20 estimates the decrease rate of the current efficiency CE as the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a remaining amount of the metallic coating agent on the surface of the cathode 82 and the surface of the anode 80 and the voltage CV of the electrolyzer 90 for each material of the coating agent.
  • the material may be an element or a compound.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the relationship between the remaining amount of the coating agent and the voltage CV for each of two materials (a material A and a material B). Types of the material A and the material B are different from each other.
  • the material A is, for example, Ru (ruthenium).
  • the material B is, for example, Pt (platinum).
  • the performance change in the electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 may be a performance change based on the remaining amount of the metallic coating agent on the surface of the cathode 82 and the surface of the anode 80 .
  • the performance of the cathode 82 may change.
  • the performance of the anode 80 may change.
  • the electrolytic performance of the electrolyzer 90 may change.
  • the remaining amount of the coating agent decreases, the voltage CV is likely to increase as illustrated in FIG. 9 . Accordingly, the electrolytic performance of the electrolyzer 90 is likely to be degraded.
  • an amount of increase in the voltage CV per remaining amount may vary depending on the type of the material.
  • the relationship between the remaining amount and the voltage CV illustrated in FIG. 9 may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on the remaining amount of the metallic coating agent on the surface of the cathode 82 and the surface of the anode 80 .
  • the remaining amount of the coating agent may be acquired by actually analyzing the cathode 82 or the anode 80 detached from the electrolyzer 90 in a state where the operation of the electrolyzer 90 is stopped.
  • the remaining amount of the coating agent may be acquired by changing a magnitude of current to be supplied to the electrolyzer 90 in a state where the electrolyzer 90 is operated, and analyzing the performance change in the electrolytic performance corresponding to the change in the magnitude of the current.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on the relationship between the remaining amount of the metallic coating agent on the surface of the cathode 82 and the surface of the anode 80 and the voltage CV.
  • the increase rate of the voltage CV for each material is set as a first estimated value VL 1 ′′.
  • the first estimated values VL 1 ′′ for materials A to D are a first estimated value VL 1 ′′- 1 to a first estimated value VL 1 ′′- 4 , respectively.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance change based on a relationship for each material between the remaining amount of the coating agent and the first estimated value VL 1 ′′.
  • the relationship between the remaining amount and the first estimated value VL 1 ′′ may be an actual result of the relationship between the remaining amount and the first estimated value VL 1 ′′. In the example of FIG.
  • the estimation unit 20 estimates the first estimated value VL 1 based on a relationship between the remaining amount of the material A and the first estimated value VL 1 ′′- 1 , a relationship between the remaining amount of the material B and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 2 , a relationship between the remaining amount of the material C and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 3 , and a relationship between the remaining amount of the material D and the first estimated value VL 1 ′- 4 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the remaining amount of the coating agent based on a type and an actual value of an amount of an element contained in the metallic coating agent on the surface of the cathode 82 and the surface of the anode 80 .
  • the type and the actual value of the amount of the element contained in the coating agent may be acquired by a fluorescent X-ray analysis terminal.
  • the type and a first actual value of the amount of the element contained in the coating agent before the cathode 82 and the anode 80 start to be used may be acquired by the fluorescent X-ray analysis terminal.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the type and a second actual value of the amount of the element contained in the coating agent after the cathode 82 and the anode 80 are started to be used (that is, after the operation of the electrolyzer 90 is started), based on the first actual value, a first result of the fluorescent X-ray analysis before the cathode 82 and the anode 80 are started to be used, and a second result of the fluorescent X-ray analysis after the cathode 82 and the anode 80 are started to be used.
  • the estimation unit 20 estimates the second actual value of the amount of one element (for example, Ru (ruthenium)) contained in the coating agent by multiplying the first actual value by a ratio of a peak intensity of the second result to a peak intensity of the first result for the one element. For example, the estimation unit 20 estimates a second remaining amount of the coating agent after the cathode 82 and the anode 80 start to be used, by multiplying a first remaining amount of the coating agent before the cathode 82 and the anode 80 start to be used by a ratio of the second actual value to the first actual value.
  • Ru ruthenium
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on at least one of an update period of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the gasket 85 , or the cathode 82 or the anode 80 , a concentration D 0 (described later), or a concentration D 1 (described later), and the actual value Vi.
  • the update period of the ion exchange membrane 84 is defined as an update period Tu.
  • the ion exchange membrane 84 may be updated.
  • the update of the ion exchange membrane 84 refers to removal of the impurity Im that causes the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 , or replacement of the ion exchange membrane 84 in which the performance degradation has occurred with a new ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the update period Tu refers to a period of updating the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the gasket 85 may be updated.
  • the update of the gasket 85 refers to removal of the impurity Im that causes the performance degradation of the gasket 85 , or replacement of the gasket 85 in which the performance degradation has occurred with a new gasket 85 .
  • the update period Tu may refer to a period of updating the gasket 85 .
  • the cathode 82 may be updated.
  • the update of the cathode 82 refers to replacing the cathode 82 having a reduced coating amount with a new cathode 82 .
  • the update period Tu may refer to a period in which the cathode 82 is updated.
  • the anode 80 is also similar thereto.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 based on the actual value Vi and a predetermined constraint condition.
  • the constraint condition is a constraint condition Cr 1 .
  • the constraint condition Cr 1 includes, for example, at least one of a range of the concentration D 0 (described later) or a range of a flow rate F 0 (described later) of the second aqueous solution 72 flowing through the inlet tube 93 , at least one of a range of the concentration D 1 (described later) or a range of a flow rate F 1 (described later) of the fourth aqueous solution 76 flowing through the outlet tube 95 , at least one of a range of a concentration D 1 - 1 to a concentration D 1 - m (described later) or a concentration D 1 - 1 ′ to a concentration D 1 - m ′ (described later) of the fourth aqueous solution 76 flowing through the outlet tube 95 , or a range of a flow rate F 0 -
  • the first estimated value VL 1 may be estimated not based on the actual value Vi or the actual value Vi′.
  • the first estimated value VL 1 may be estimated based on the decrease in the current efficiency CE of the electrolyzer 90 , or may be estimated based on the increase in the voltage CV of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the current efficiency CE is likely to decrease, and the voltage CV is likely to increase.
  • the operating condition Cd may have a plurality of parameters related to the operation of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the parameters are defined as parameters Pr.
  • a plurality of parameters Pr may include a current I supplied to the electrolyzer 90 , a salt concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 , an alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 , a salt concentration of the third aqueous solution 74 , an alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 , a flow rate of the first aqueous solution 70 , a flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 , a flow rate of the third aqueous solution 74 , a flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 , the temperature T 1 of an aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride in the anode chamber 79 , and the temperature T 2 of an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide in the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride in the anode chamber 79 refers to the liquid 73 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide in the cathode chamber 98 refers to the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • One parameter Pr of the plurality of parameters Pr is defined as a parameter Pr 1
  • another parameter Pr except the parameter Pr 1 is defined as a parameter Pr 2
  • a set value of the parameter Pr is defined as a set value Vs.
  • the set value Vs may be set by a user of the operation support apparatus 100 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the parameter Pr 1 as a first operating condition Cd 1 (described later) based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates a first current I 1 as the first operating condition Cd 1 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a first set value of the parameter Pr 2 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the first set value is defined as a first set value Vs 1 .
  • the first set value Vs 1 is a value of the parameter Pr 2 to be realized in the electrolyzer 90 after a time point when the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd.
  • the control unit 60 may transmit, to the electrolyzer 90 , the first set value Vs 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 as the control signal Sc.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the parameter Pr 1 based on the calculated first set value Vs 1 .
  • the parameter Pr 1 may be the current I supplied to the electrolyzer 90 , or may be a parameter Pr other than the current I.
  • the parameter Pr 1 may be the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 as the first operating condition Cd 1 (described later) based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 as the parameter Pr 1 based on the first set value Vs 1 .
  • the current supply unit 50 (see FIG. 6 ) may supply the first current I 1 to the electrolyzer 90 . Accordingly, the electrolyzer 90 can be controlled under the operating condition Cd based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the parameter Pr 2 may be at least one of the plurality of parameters Pr excluding the parameter Pr 1 .
  • the parameter Pr 2 may be at least one of the salt concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 , the alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 , the salt concentration of the third aqueous solution 74 , the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 , the flow rate of the first aqueous solution 70 , the flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 , the flow rate of the third aqueous solution 74 , the flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 , the temperature T 1 of the aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride in the anode chamber 79 , or the temperature T 2 of the aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide in the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the salt concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 refers to a concentration of alkali metal chloride in the first aqueous solution 70 .
  • the salt concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 may refer to the salt concentration of the first aqueous solution 70 at an inlet to the anode chamber 79 .
  • the alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 refers to a concentration of alkali metal hydroxide in the second aqueous solution 72 .
  • the alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 may refer to the alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 at an inlet to the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the salt concentration of the third aqueous solution 74 refers to a concentration of alkali metal chloride in the third aqueous solution 74 .
  • the salt concentration of the third aqueous solution 74 may refer to the salt concentration of the third aqueous solution 74 at an outlet from the anode chamber 79 .
  • the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 refers to a concentration of alkali metal hydroxide in the fourth aqueous solution 76 .
  • the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 may refer to the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 at an outlet from the cathode chamber 98 .
  • the flow rate of the first aqueous solution 70 refers to the flow rate of the first aqueous solution 70 flowing through the inlet tube 92 .
  • the flow rate of the first aqueous solution 70 may refer to a mass or volume of the first aqueous solution 70 flowing through the inlet tube 92 per unit time.
  • the flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 refers to the flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 flowing through the inlet tube 93 .
  • the flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 may refer to a mass or volume of the second aqueous solution 72 flowing through the inlet tube 93 per unit time.
  • the flow rate of the third aqueous solution 74 refers to the flow rate of the third aqueous solution 74 flowing through the outlet tube 94 .
  • the flow rate of the third aqueous solution 74 may refer to a mass or volume of the third aqueous solution 74 flowing through the outlet tube 94 per unit time.
  • the flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 refers to the flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 flowing through the outlet tube 95 .
  • the flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 may refer to a mass or volume of the fourth aqueous solution 76 flowing through the outlet tube 95 per unit time.
  • the temperature T 1 of the liquid 73 may be measured by the temperature sensor 96 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the temperature T 2 of the liquid 75 may be measured by the temperature sensor 97 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 when there are a plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the parameter Pr 2 is the concentration and flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 and the concentration and flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 .
  • the electrolytic apparatus 200 may include a post-process reservoir 112 .
  • the fourth aqueous solution 76 is accommodated in the post-process reservoir 112 .
  • a product produced by the electrolyzer 90 may be accommodated in the post-process reservoir 112 .
  • the product is defined as a product P.
  • the product P is NaOH (sodium hydroxide, so-called caustic soda).
  • the product P may include a part of the second aqueous solution 72 .
  • the alkali concentration of the second aqueous solution 72 is defined as the concentration D 0 .
  • the flow rate of the second aqueous solution 72 is defined as the flow rate F 0 .
  • the concentrations D 0 of the second aqueous solution 72 introduced into the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M are defined as a concentration D 0 - 1 to a concentration D 0 - m , respectively.
  • the flow rates F 0 of the second aqueous solution 72 introduced into the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M are defined as the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m , respectively.
  • the concentration D 0 , the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m , the flow rate F 0 , and the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m are the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 .
  • the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m are equal to each other, and the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m are equal to each other.
  • each of the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m is equal to the concentration D 0 of the second aqueous solution 72 flowing through the inlet tube 93 , and a sum of the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m is equal to the flow rate F 0 .
  • the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 is defined as the concentration D 1 .
  • the flow rate of the fourth aqueous solution 76 is defined as the flow rate F 1 .
  • the concentrations D 1 of the fourth aqueous solution 76 discharged from the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M are defined as the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m , respectively.
  • the flow rates F 1 of the fourth aqueous solution 76 discharged from the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M are defined as a flow rate F 1 - 1 to a flow rate F 1 - m , respectively.
  • the concentration D 1 , the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m , the flow rate F 1 , and the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m are the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 .
  • the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m are equal to each other, and the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m are equal to each other.
  • the concentration D 1 at an inlet of the post-process reservoir 112 is equal to each of the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m .
  • the flow rate F 1 at the inlet of the post-process reservoir 112 is m times each of the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m , and is a sum of the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m.
  • the flow rate F 0 may be equal to the flow rate F 1 .
  • the flow rate F 0 - 1 may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - 1
  • the flow rate F 0 - 2 may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - 2
  • the flow rate F 0 - m may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - m.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the concentration D 0 , the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m , the flow rate F 0 , and the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m , and may calculate the concentration D 1 , the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m , the flow rate F 1 , and the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m .
  • the concentration D 0 , the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m , the flow rate F 0 and the flow rate F 0 - 1 to the flow rate F 0 - m , the concentration D 1 , the concentration D 1 - 1 to the concentration D 1 - m , the flow rate F 1 , and the flow rate F 1 - 1 to the flow rate F 1 - m may be the first set value Vs 1 before the calculation unit 10 calculates the first set value Vs 1 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • a total power consumption amount of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 in a predetermined period is defined as a power amount Pw.
  • the power amount Pw is a sum of power consumption amounts of the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M.
  • the power amount Pw is a power consumption amount of one electrolyzer 90 .
  • the predetermined period may be a period based on a production plan of the product P produced by the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the predetermined period may be set by the user of the operation support apparatus 100 .
  • the predetermined period is defined as a certain period T.
  • a total production amount of the products P produced by the plurality of electrolyzers 90 in the certain period T is defined as a production amount Pa.
  • the production amount Pa is a sum of the production amounts P of the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M.
  • the production amount Pa is the production amount P of one electrolyzer 90 .
  • the power amount Pw in the certain period T is defined as a power amount Pwd.
  • the power amount Pwd may be a desired power amount Pw of the user of the operation support apparatus 100 .
  • the power amount Pwd may be a value in a predetermined range of the power amount Pw, or may be a minimum value of the power amount Pw.
  • the predetermined production amount Pa in the certain period T is defined as a production amount Pad.
  • the production amount Pad may be a value in a predetermined range in the production amount Pa, or may be a maximum value of the production amount Pa.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad.
  • the first current I 1 of the electrolyzer 90 - 1 , the first current I 1 of the electrolyzer 90 - 2 , and the first current I 1 of the electrolyzer 90 -M are equal to each other.
  • the current supply unit 50 may supply the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 when there are a plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , based on the actual value Vi.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first set value Vs 1 at which the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad and the power amount Pw becomes the power amount Pwd, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates the concentration D 0 , the concentration D 0 - 1 to the concentration D 0 - m , the flow rate F 0 , and the flow rate F 0 - 1 ′ to the flow rate F 0 - m ′, and calculates the concentration D 1 , the concentration D 1 - 1 ′ to the concentration D 1 - m ′, the flow rate F 1 , and a flow rate F 1 - 1 ′ to a flow rate F 1 - m′.
  • the flow rate F 0 - 1 ′ is greater than the flow rate F 0 - 1 (see FIG. 10 ), the flow rate F 0 - 2 ′ is less than the flow rate F 0 - 2 (see FIG. 10 ), and the flow rate F 0 - m ′ is less than the flow rate F 0 - m (see FIG. 10 ).
  • the flow rate F 0 - 1 ′ is greater than each of the flow rate F 0 - 2 ′ to the flow rate F 0 - m′.
  • the concentration D 1 - 1 ′ is less than the concentration D 1 - 1 (see FIG. 10 ), the concentration D 1 - 2 ′ is greater than the concentration D 1 - 2 (see FIG. 10 ), and the concentration D 1 - m ′ is greater than the concentration D 1 - m (see FIG. 10 ).
  • the concentration D 1 - 1 ′ is less than each of the concentration D 1 - 2 ′ to the concentration D 1 - m ′.
  • the flow rate F 1 - 1 ′ is greater than the flow rate F 1 - 1 (see FIG. 10 )
  • the flow rate F 1 - 2 ′ is less than the flow rate F 1 - 2 (see FIG.
  • the flow rate F 1 - m ′ is less than the flow rate F 1 - m (see FIG. 10 ).
  • the flow rate F 1 - 1 ′ is greater than each of the flow rate F 1 - 2 ′ to the flow rate F 1 - m′.
  • the flow rate F 0 - 1 ′ may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - 1 ′
  • the flow rate F 0 - 2 ′ may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - 2 ′
  • the flow rate F 0 - m ′ may be equal to the flow rate F 1 - m ′.
  • the concentration D 0 and the flow rate F 0 in FIG. 11 may be equal to the concentration D 0 and the flow rate F 0 in FIG. 10 , respectively.
  • the concentration D 1 and the flow rate F 1 at the inlet of the post-process reservoir 112 in FIG. 11 may be equal to the concentration D 1 and the flow rate F 1 at the inlet of the post-process reservoir 112 in FIG. 10 , respectively.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 and a predetermined constraint condition.
  • the constraint condition is defined as a constraint condition Cr 2 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 so as to satisfy the constraint condition Cr 2 , based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the constraint condition Cr 2 may include the power amount Pw or the production amount Pa in the certain period T.
  • the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 6 ) may calculate the first current I 1 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad and the power amount Pw becomes the power amount Pwd, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , and may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 based on the calculated first set value Vs 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers.
  • the current supply unit 50 may supply the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the gasket 85 , or the cathode 82 or the anode 80 may differ for each electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 can calculate the operating condition Cd under which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period T becomes the production amount Pad while considering the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance change for each electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 in the example of FIG. 11 to be smaller than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 2 in the example of FIG. 11 to be larger than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 2 in the example of FIG. 10 , and may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 -M in the example of FIG. 11 to be larger than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 -M in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a cost related to the running of one or more electrolyzers 90 .
  • the cost is defined as a cost C.
  • the cost C may include an electricity cost for running the electrolytic apparatus 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ), an unrecovered cost of the ion exchange membrane 84 or the gasket 85 when the ion exchange membrane 84 or the gasket 85 is replaced before the performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 or the gasket 85 is degraded, and an unrecovered cost of the cathode 82 or the anode 80 when the cathode 82 or the anode 80 is replaced before the remaining amount of the coating agent on the cathode 82 or the anode 80 is depleted.
  • the electricity cost for running the electrolytic apparatus 200 can be calculated by integrating an electricity cost per unit power consumption amount with the power consumption amount in each electrolyzer 90 .
  • the power consumption amount can be calculated by a product of the voltage CV of the electrolyzer 90 , the current flowing through the electrolyzer 90 , and the running time.
  • the electricity cost is an electricity cost per day
  • the running time may be 24 hours.
  • the electricity cost for running the electrolytic apparatus 200 may be a total electricity cost of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the cost C may further include at least one of a maintenance cost or an opportunity loss cost of the electrolytic apparatus 200 .
  • the cost C may further include a purchase cost of a new ion exchange membrane 84 , a new gasket 85 , or a new cathode 82 or anode 80 when the ion exchange membrane 84 , the gasket 85 , or the cathode 82 or the anode 80 is updated.
  • the opportunity loss cost refers to a profit of the product P that, when the period in which the electrolytic apparatus 200 cannot be run has occurred, would have been obtained if the electrolytic apparatus 200 had been continuously run.
  • a predetermined cost C in the certain period T is defined as a cost Cp.
  • the cost Cp may be a desired cost C of the user of the operation support apparatus 100 .
  • the cost Cp may be a value in a predetermined range of the cost C, or may be a minimum value of the cost C.
  • the constraint condition Cr 2 may include the cost C in the certain period T.
  • the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 6 ) may calculate the parameter Pr 1 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the parameter Pr 1 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the parameter Pr 1 may be the first current I 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 , and may calculate the parameter Pr 1 based on the calculated first set value Vs 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first set value Vs 1 of the parameter Pr 2 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , and may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 , based on the calculated first set value Vs 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers.
  • the current supply unit 50 (see FIG. 6 ) may supply the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the gasket 85 , or the cathode 82 or the anode 80 may differ for each electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the electrolyzers 90 . Therefore, the calculation unit 10 can calculate the operating condition Cd under which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp while considering the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 for each electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the parameter Pr 1 such that the concentration D 1 of the fourth aqueous solution 76 in the certain period T becomes a predetermined concentration.
  • the parameter Pr 1 may be the first current I 1 .
  • the predetermined concentration may be the concentration D 1 that satisfies a predetermined quality of the product P. Accordingly, the calculation unit 10 can calculate the parameter Pr 1 such that a quality of the product P satisfies the predetermined quality.
  • the current supply unit 50 (see FIG. 6 ) may supply the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 to each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the cost C in the certain period T becomes the cost Cp and the concentration D 1 of the fourth aqueous solution 76 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined concentration.
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 1 and time.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 2 and the time.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 1 and the time.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the estimated value VL in the electrolyzer 90 - 2 and the time.
  • time t 2 is current time t.
  • the time t 2 is a time point when the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd.
  • time t 1 is a past time
  • time t 3 is a future time.
  • An actual value of the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 is defined as a first actual value VM 1 .
  • An actual value of the performance degradation of the electrolyzer 90 is defined as a first actual value VM 1 - 1 .
  • An actual value of the performance enhancement of the electrolyzer 90 is defined as a first actual value VM 1 - 2 .
  • the first actual value VM 1 - 1 is indicated by a solid line
  • the estimated value VL is indicated by a broken line.
  • the actual value VM in FIGS. 12 and 13 is, for example, an example of an actual value when the first currents I 1 of the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to the electrolyzer 90 -M are equal to each other (for example, the example of FIG. 10 ).
  • the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 may be caused by the performance change of the ion exchange membrane 84 , the performance change of the gasket 85 , or the performance change of the cathode 82 or the anode 80 . These performance changes may be caused by a change in current efficiency CE, a change in voltage CV, or a change in NaCl (sodium chloride) concentration in produced NaOH (sodium hydroxide).
  • a time rate of change of the estimated value VL is larger than a time rate of change of the first actual value VM 1 - 1 . Therefore, the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to be smaller than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • the time rate of change of the estimated value VL is smaller than the time rate of change of the first actual value VM 1 - 1 . Therefore, the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 -M may be calculated to be larger than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 -M in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • the first actual value VM 1 - 2 is indicated by a solid line
  • the estimated value VL is indicated by a broken line.
  • the time rate of change of the estimated value VL is larger than a time rate of change of the first actual value VM 1 - 2 . Therefore, the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to be larger than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • the time rate of change of the estimated value VL is smaller than the time rate of change of the first actual value VM 1 - 2 . Therefore, the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 to be smaller than the first current I 1 supplied to the electrolyzer 90 - 1 in the example of FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of estimation of the estimated value VL.
  • the time t 2 is the current time.
  • the time t 2 is a time point when the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd.
  • the time t 1 is the past time.
  • the time t 3 is the future time.
  • a period from the time t 2 to the time t 3 is the above-described certain period Te.
  • the certain period Te may include a plurality of periods.
  • the certain period Te includes a first period Te 1 , a second period Te 2 , and a third period Te 3 .
  • the second period Te 2 is a period after the first period Te 1 .
  • the third period Te 3 is a period after the second period Te 2 .
  • a period from the time t 2 to time ta is the first period Te 1
  • a period from the time ta to time tb is the second period Te 2
  • a period from the time tb to the time t 3 is the third period Te 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 calculates a first current I 1 - 1 in the first period Te 1 , a first current I 1 - 2 in the second period Te 2 , and a first current I 1 - 3 in the third period Te 3 , based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate a second estimated value VL 2 of the performance change based on the first operating condition Cd 1 .
  • the estimation unit 20 estimates the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance change based on the first current I 1 .
  • a relationship between a plurality of parameters Pr included in the first operating condition Cd 1 and the first estimated value VL 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the second estimated value VL 2 based on the relationship between the plurality of parameters Pr and the first estimated value VL 1 and a new first operating condition Cd 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate, as the second estimated value VL 2 , the first estimated value VL 1 corresponding to the parameter Pr included in the new first operating condition Cd 1 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance change based on a plurality of first operating conditions Cd 1 (for example, the first operating condition Cd 1 - 1 to the first operating condition Cd 1 - 3 in FIG. 16 ) in each of a plurality of periods (for example, the first period Te 1 to the third period Te 3 in FIG. 16 ).
  • the estimation unit 20 estimates a first second estimated value VL 2 - 1 of the performance change based on the first current I 1 - 1 in the first period Te 1 , estimates a second second estimated value VL 2 - 2 of the performance change based on the first current I 1 - 2 in the second period Te 2 , and estimates a third second estimated value VL 2 - 3 of the performance change based on the first current I 1 - 3 in the third period Te 3 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate one second estimated value VL 2 which is the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance change, based on the first current I 1 - 1 in the first period Te 1 , the first current I 1 - 2 in the second period Te 2 , and the first current I 1 - 3 in the third period Te 3 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate one second estimated value VL 2 based on an average value, a median value, a minimum value, or a maximum value of the first current I 1 - 1 , the first current I 1 - 2 , and the first current I 1 - 3 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second operating condition Cd 2 that is the operating condition Cd under which the power consumption amount Pw of the electrolyzer 90 in the certain period Te becomes the predetermined power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa of the product P produced by the electrolyzer 90 in the certain period Te becomes the predetermined production amount Pad.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the second operating condition Cd 2 that is the operating condition Cd under which the power amount Pw in the certain period Te becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period Te becomes the production amount Pad, based on the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second operating condition Cd 2 that is the operating condition Cd under which the cost C in the certain period Te becomes the cost Cp, based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the second operating condition Cd 2 that is the operating condition Cd under which the cost C in the certain period Te becomes the cost Cp, based on the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a first power amount Pw based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the first power amount Pw is defined as a power amount Pw 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a second power amount Pw based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the second power amount Pw is defined as a power amount Pw 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate a third estimated value of the performance change in the electrolytic performance of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the third estimated value is defined as a third estimated value VL 3 .
  • a third power amount Pw based on the third estimated value VL 3 may be smaller than the power amount Pw 2 . Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a first production amount Pa based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the first production amount Pa is defined as a production amount Pa 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a second production amount Pa based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the second production amount Pa is defined as a production amount Pa 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 of the performance change in the electrolytic performance of the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the production amount Pa is preferably large.
  • a third production amount Pa based on the third estimated value VL 3 may be larger than the production amount Pa 2 . Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the second operating condition Cd 2 based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the second operating condition Cd 2 based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the production amount Pa.
  • the production amount Pa estimated by the estimation unit 20 is defined as a production amount Pa′.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the production amount Pa′ based on the first current I 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may acquire an actual value of a total production amount of the products P produced by one or more electrolyzers 90 in the certain period Te.
  • the actual value is defined as an actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the second operating condition Cd 2 based on the production amount Pa′ and the actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a first cost C based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the first cost C is defined as a cost C 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a second cost C based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the second cost C is defined as a cost C 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the cost C is preferably small.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the second operating condition Cd 2 based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • An actual value of the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 when the electrolyzer 90 is operated under the first operating condition Cd 1 is set as a second actual value VM 2 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the first operating condition Cd 1 based on the second actual value VM 2 and the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the first operating condition Cd 1 is calculated based on the first actual value VM 1 and the first estimated value VL 1 . Therefore, the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 when the electrolyzer 90 is operated under the first operating condition Cd 1 is likely to approximate the first estimated value VL 1 . However, the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 may not approximate the first estimated value VL 1 due to an event that may occur in the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the first operating condition Cd 1 based on the second actual value VM 2 and the second estimated value VL 2 estimated based on the first operating condition Cd 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the first operating condition Cd 1 such that the performance change of the second estimated value VL 2 approaches the performance change of the second actual value VM 2 , or may correct the first operating condition Cd 1 such that the performance change of the second estimated value VL 2 matches the performance change of the second actual value VM 2 . Accordingly, a deviation between the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 when operated under the first operating condition Cd 1 and the performance change of the first estimated value VL 1 can be compensated.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the estimation of the estimated value VL.
  • a first estimation flow is indicated by solid arrows
  • a second estimation flow is indicated by broken arrows.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 based on the operating condition Cd calculated by the calculation unit 10 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the second estimated value VL 2 based on the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate a second set value of the parameter Pr 2 based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the second set value is set as a second set value Vs 2 .
  • the first set value Vs 1 based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the second set value Vs 2 based on the second estimated value VL 2 may be different from each other. Therefore, the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second set value Vs 2 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second current I 2 based on the calculated second set value Vs 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , based on the first current I 1 calculated by the calculation unit 10 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the second set value Vs of the parameter Pr 2 based on the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the second current I 2 at which the power amount Pw in the certain period Te becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period Te becomes the production amount Pad, based on the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the second current I 2 at which the cost C in the certain period Te becomes the cost Cp, based on the second estimated value VL 2 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first power amount Pw based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second power amount Pw based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate a third estimated value of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the third estimated value is defined as a third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the power amount Pw is preferably small.
  • a third power amount Pw based on the third estimated value VL 3 may be smaller than the power amount Pw 2 . Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may end the estimation of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the power amount Pw 1 may be the power amount Pw converging to the minimum value. Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may end the estimation of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may repeat the estimation of the estimated value VL until an (n+1)-th power amount Pw becomes larger than an n-th power amount Pw.
  • the output unit 32 (see FIG. 6 ) may output the value of the parameter Pr in an n-th loop (described later).
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first production amount Pa based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second production amount Pa based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the production amount Pa is preferably large.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the first cost C based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may calculate the second cost C based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the cost C is preferably small.
  • the third cost C based on the third estimated value VL 3 may be smaller than the cost C 2 . Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may estimate the third estimated value VL 3 .
  • the estimation unit 20 may end the estimation of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the cost C 1 may be the cost C converging to the minimum value. Therefore, the estimation unit 20 may end the estimation of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the actual value Vi.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • Correcting the operating condition Cd may refer to correcting the current I, may refer to correcting the concentration D 0 or the concentration D 1 , may refer to correcting the flow rate F 0 or the flow rate F 1 , or may refer to correcting the temperature T 1 or the temperature T 2 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 . Accordingly, the calculation unit 10 can calculate the operating condition Cd reflecting the actual value VM.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on a difference between the first estimated value VL 1 and the first actual value VM 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may determine whether the difference is less than a threshold.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the production amount Pa.
  • the production amount Pa estimated by the estimation unit 20 is defined as the production amount Pa′.
  • the estimation unit 20 may estimate the production amount Pa′ based on the first current I 1 .
  • the calculation unit 10 may acquire an actual value of a total production amount of the products P produced by a plurality of electrolyzers 90 in the certain period Te.
  • the actual value is defined as the actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the production amount Pa′ and the actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on the production amount Pa′ and the actual value Va. Accordingly, the calculation unit 10 can calculate the operating condition Cd reflecting the actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd based on a difference between the production amount Pa′ and the actual value Va.
  • the calculation unit 10 may determine whether the difference is less than a threshold. The calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the calculation unit 10 may correct the operating condition Cd for each predetermined certain period Te′.
  • the certain period Te′ may be a period from the examination at one timing to the examination at a next timing of the one timing.
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of candidates for the operating condition Cd.
  • a plurality of candidates for the operating condition Cd may be determined in advance.
  • n candidates (a candidate 1 to a candidate n) for the operating condition Cd are determined in advance.
  • a combination of a plurality of parameters Pr related to the operation of the electrolyzer 90 may be determined in advance.
  • the parameter Pr includes the current I, the concentration D 0 , the concentration D 1 , the flow rate F 0 , the flow rate F 1 , the temperature T 1 , and the temperature T 2 .
  • the candidates for the operating condition Cd may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the selection unit 22 may select a candidate of the operating condition Cd under which the power amount Pw in the certain period T becomes the power amount Pwd or the production amount Pa in the certain period Te becomes the production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each candidate of the operating condition Cd.
  • the selection unit 22 may select a candidate of the operating condition Cd under which the cost C in the certain period Te becomes the cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each candidate of the operating condition Cd.
  • the estimation unit 20 does not need to estimate the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support method includes a calculation step S 100 .
  • the operation support method may include an estimation step S 102 , a determination step S 106 , a correction step S 117 , and an output step S 116 .
  • the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking the operation support apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 as an example.
  • the calculation step S 100 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd of the electrolyzer 90 based on the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance change of the electrolytic performance in the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the estimation step S 102 is a step in which the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance change is estimated based on the first operating condition Cd 1 that is the operating condition Cd calculated in the calculation step S 100 .
  • the determination step S 106 may be a step in which the control unit 60 determines a magnitude relationship between the second actual value VM 2 of the performance change of the electrolyzer 90 when the electrolyzer 90 is operated under the first operating condition Cd 1 and the second estimated value VL 2 estimated in the estimation step S 102 .
  • the determination step S 106 may be a step in which the control unit 60 determines whether the difference between the time rate of the performance change of the second actual value VM 2 and the time rate of the performance change of the second estimated value VL 2 is greater than the predetermined threshold. If it is determined in the determination step S 106 that the difference is greater than the threshold, the operation support method proceeds to the correction step S 117 . If it is not determined in the determination step S 106 that the difference is greater than the threshold, the operation support method proceeds to the output step S 116 .
  • the correction step S 117 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 corrects the first operating condition Cd 1 based on the second actual value VM 2 of the performance change when the electrolyzer 90 is operated under the first operating condition Cd 1 , and the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the correction step S 117 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 corrects the first operating condition Cd 1 such that the performance change of the second estimated value VL 2 approaches the performance change of the second actual value VM 2 , or may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 corrects the first operating condition Cd 1 such that the performance change of the second estimated value VL 2 matches the performance change of the second actual value VM 2 .
  • the output step S 116 is a step in which the output unit 32 outputs values of one or more parameters Pr included in the first operating condition Cd 1 .
  • FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support method includes the calculation step S 100 .
  • the operation support method may include an estimation step S 90 , a counting step S 104 , a power amount calculation step S 108 , a determination step S 110 , a determination step S 112 , a determination step S 114 , the output step S 116 , and a correction step S 118 .
  • the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking the operation support apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 as an example.
  • the calculation step S 100 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd of the electrolyzer 90 based on the first estimated value VL 1 of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • the calculation step S 100 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the first set value Vs 1 of another parameter Pr 2 among the plurality of parameters Pr, based on the first estimated value VL 1 , and calculates one parameter Pr 1 among the plurality of parameters Pr, based on the calculated first set value Vs 1 .
  • the one parameter Pr 1 may be the current I supplied to the electrolyzer 90 .
  • the calculation step S 100 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the first current I 1 based on the first set value Vs 1 .
  • the counting step S 104 is a step in which the control unit 60 counts a number n of at least one loop (described later).
  • the power amount calculation step S 108 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the power amount Pw 1 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the power amount Pw 1 is a first total power consumption amount of a plurality of electrolyzers 90 as described above.
  • the power amount calculation step S 108 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the power amount Pw 1 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined power amount Pwd, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the power amount calculation step S 108 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the first current I 1 such that the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 in the certain period T becomes a predetermined concentration.
  • the estimation step S 90 is a step in which the estimation unit 20 estimates the second estimated value VL 2 of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 , based on the operating condition Cd calculated in the calculation step S 100 .
  • the calculation step S 100 after the estimation step S 90 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the power amount calculation step S 108 after the counting step S 104 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the power amount Pw 2 based on the second estimated value VL 2 .
  • the determination step S 112 is a step in which the control unit 60 determines whether the (n+1)-th power amount Pw is smaller than the n-th power amount Pw.
  • the estimation step S 90 after it is determined in the determination step S 112 that the power amount Pw 2 is smaller than the power amount Pw 1 is a step in which the estimation unit 20 estimates the third estimated value VL 3 of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 , based on the operating condition Cd calculated in the calculation step S 100 .
  • the determination step S 114 is a step in which the control unit 60 determines whether a difference between the n-th power amount Pw and the (n+1)-th power amount Pw is less than a threshold.
  • the threshold may be determined in advance. If it is determined that the difference between the n-th power amount Pw and the (n+1)-th power amount Pw is less than the threshold, the operation support method proceeds to the output step S 116 . If it is not determined that the difference between the n-th power amount Pw and the (n+1)-th power amount Pw is less than the threshold, the operation support method proceeds to the correction step S 118 .
  • the output step S 116 is a step in which the output unit 32 outputs the value of the parameter Pr in the n-th loop.
  • the correction step S 118 is a step in which the operating condition Cd is corrected based on the estimated value VL of the performance degradation and the actual value of the performance degradation of the ion exchange membrane 84 .
  • FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support method of the present example is different from the operation support method illustrated in FIG. 20 in including a production amount calculation step S 109 instead of the power amount calculation step S 108 and a determination step S 113 instead of the determination step S 112 .
  • the production amount Pa 1 is a first total production amount of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 as described above.
  • the production amount calculation step S 109 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the production amount Pa 1 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined production amount Pad, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the production amount calculation step S 109 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the first current I 1 such that the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined concentration.
  • the determination step S 113 is a step in which the control unit 60 determines whether the (n+1)-th production amount Pa is larger than the n-th production amount Pa.
  • FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support method of the present example is different from the operation support method illustrated in FIG. 20 in including a cost calculation step S 107 instead of the power amount calculation step S 108 and a determination step S 111 instead of the determination step S 112 .
  • the cost calculation step S 107 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates, for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 , the first current I 1 at which the cost C 1 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined cost Cp, based on the first estimated value VL 1 for each of the plurality of electrolyzers 90 .
  • the cost calculation step S 107 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the first current I 1 such that the alkali concentration of the fourth aqueous solution 76 in the certain period T becomes the predetermined concentration.
  • the determination step S 111 is a step in which the control unit 60 determines whether an (n+1)-th cost C is smaller than an n-th cost C.
  • FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operation support method includes the calculation step S 100 .
  • the operation support method may include a calculation step S 103 , a selection step S 105 , and the output step S 116 .
  • the operation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking the operation support apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 as an example.
  • the calculation step S 100 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the operating condition Cd of the electrolyzer 90 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the calculation step S 103 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the power amount Pw in the certain period T based on the first estimated value VL 1 , calculates the production amount Pa in the certain period T based on the first estimated value VL 1 , or calculates the cost C in the certain period T based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the selection step S 105 is a step in which the selection unit 22 selects a candidate (see FIG. 18 ) of the operating condition Cd in which the power amount Pw becomes the power amount Pwd.
  • the selection step S 105 is a step in which the selection unit 22 selects a candidate (see FIG. 18 ) of the operating condition Cd in which the production amount Pa becomes the production amount Pad.
  • the selection step S 105 is a step in which the selection unit 22 selects a candidate (see FIG. 18 ) of the operating condition Cd in which the cost C becomes the cost Cp.
  • FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer 2200 in which the operation support apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be entirely or partially embodied.
  • a program installed in the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation associated with the operation support apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention or as one or more sections of the operation support apparatus 100 , or can cause the operation or the one or more sections to be executed, or can cause the computer 2200 to execute each stage (see FIGS. 19 to 23 ) according to the method of the present invention.
  • Such a program may be executed by a CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the flowcharts ( FIGS. 19 to 23 ) and the blocks in the block diagram ( FIG. 6 ) described in the present specification.
  • the program which can cause the computer 2200 to perform the operations associated with the operation support apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention may be stored in the storage unit 40 (see FIG. 6 ).
  • the control unit 60 (see FIG. 6 ) may include a processor.
  • the processor is, for example, the CPU 2212 .
  • the program which can cause the computer 2200 to perform the operations associated with the operation support apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention causes the processor included in the control unit 60 to calculate the operating condition Cd of the electrolyzer 90 based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the program which can cause the computer 2200 to perform the operations associated with the operation support apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention may cause the processor included in the control unit 60 to execute the estimation of the second estimated value VL 2 based on the operating condition Cd calculated based on the first estimated value VL 1 .
  • the computer 2200 includes the CPU 2212 , a RAM 2214 , a graphics controller 2216 , and a display device 2218 .
  • the CPU 2212 , the RAM 2214 , the graphics controller 2216 , and the display device 2218 are mutually connected by a host controller 2210 .
  • the computer 2200 further includes input/output units such as a communication interface 2222 , a hard disk drive 2224 , a DVD-ROM drive 2226 , and an IC card drive.
  • the communication interface 2222 , the hard disk drive 2224 , the DVD-ROM drive 2226 , the IC card drive, and the like are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input/output controller 2220 .
  • the computer further includes legacy input/output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242 .
  • the ROM 2230 , the keyboard 2242 , and the like are connected to the input/output controller 2220 via an input/output chip 2240 .
  • the CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214 , thereby controlling each unit.
  • the graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or in the RAM 2214 , such that the image data is displayed on the display device 2218 .
  • the communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network.
  • the hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200 .
  • the DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the read programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214 .
  • the IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card, or writes the programs and data to the IC card.
  • the ROM 2230 stores a boot program or the like executed by the computer 2200 at the time of activation, or a program depending on hardware of the computer 2200 .
  • the input/output chip 2240 may connect various input/output units via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, or the like to the input/output controller 2220 .
  • Programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as the DVD-ROM 2201 or the IC card.
  • the programs are read from the computer-readable medium, are installed in the hard disk drive 2224 , the RAM 2214 , or the ROM 2230 , which are also an example of the computer-readable medium, and are executed by the CPU 2212 .
  • Information processing written in these programs is read by the computer 2200 , and provides cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above.
  • An apparatus or method may be constructed by realizing the operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 2200 .
  • the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on processing written in the communication program.
  • the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing region provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2214 , the hard disk drive 2224 , the DVD-ROM 2201 , or the IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network in a reception buffer processing region or the like provided on the recording medium.
  • the CPU 2212 may cause the RAM 2214 to read all or a necessary part of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224 , the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201 ), the IC card, or the like.
  • the CPU 2212 may execute various types of processing on data on the RAM 2214 . Next, the CPU 2212 may write the processed data back into the external recording medium.
  • the CPU 2212 may execute, on the data read from the RAM 2214 , various types of processing including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgement, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval or replacement, or the like described in the present disclosure and specified by instruction sequences of the programs.
  • the CPU 2212 may write the results back to the RAM 2214 .
  • the CPU 2212 may search for information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, is stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may retrieve, out of the plurality of entries, an entry with the attribute value of the first attribute specified that meets a condition, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and read a second attribute value, thereby acquiring the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute meeting a predetermined condition.
  • the programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 2200 .
  • a recording medium such as a hard disk or an RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer-readable medium.
  • the programs may be provided to the computer 2200 via the recording medium.

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