WO2010044170A1 - 燃料電池システム - Google Patents
燃料電池システム Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010044170A1 WO2010044170A1 PCT/JP2008/068886 JP2008068886W WO2010044170A1 WO 2010044170 A1 WO2010044170 A1 WO 2010044170A1 JP 2008068886 W JP2008068886 W JP 2008068886W WO 2010044170 A1 WO2010044170 A1 WO 2010044170A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- fuel
- liquid
- cell system
- supplied
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 454
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 81
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000003011 anion exchange membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 46
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 21
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 18
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 15
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 15
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000005341 cation exchange Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005856 abnormality Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002407 reforming Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 CO 2 Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000010718 Oxidation Activity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003487 electrochemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M16/00—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
- H01M16/003—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
- H01M16/006—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04186—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04197—Preventing means for fuel crossover
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04225—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04228—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during shut-down
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell.
- a fuel cell As a system including a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter simply referred to as a fuel cell) and a mechanism for supplying fuel or the like (hereinafter referred to as a fuel cell system), hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell. And those that generate hydrogen by reforming city gas, methanol, etc. and supply it to a fuel cell (see, for example, Patent Documents 2, 4, and 5).
- a fuel cell system see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 3 that supplies methanol, ethanol, and the like directly (without reforming) to the fuel cell is also known.
- a fuel cell system of a type that directly supplies a liquid liquid (such as methanol) to the fuel cell has the advantage that a reformer is unnecessary and a liquid that is easier to store and transport than hydrogen can be used as fuel. Yes.
- a phenomenon occurs in which the liquid fuel reaches the cathode electrode through the electrolyte membrane. This phenomenon is called crossover, but when crossover occurs, fuel is wasted.
- the crossed over liquid fuel is oxidized on the cathode electrode side, the output of the fuel cell is reduced. For this reason, the development of an electrolyte membrane that does not easily generate crossover and a catalyst that does not oxidize the liquid fuel that has crossed over (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is underway.
- the existing fuel cell system has drawbacks that it takes time to start (especially at low temperature) and that it is difficult to change the output (power generation amount). Therefore, a fuel cell system that does not have such a drawback is also desired.
- a first problem of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that consumes less fuel due to crossover and can be operated economically.
- a second object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system having a configuration that can be operated as a system that consumes less fuel due to crossover, a system that can greatly change the amount of power generation, and the like. It is in.
- a fuel cell system is a fuel that generates electricity by causing an electrochemical reaction between a supplied liquid fuel and an oxidant.
- a fuel cell control unit for supplying a first liquid fuel to the fuel cell to operate the fuel cell, wherein the first liquid is supplied to the fuel cell when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped.
- a fuel cell control unit that replaces the first liquid fuel in the fuel cell with the second liquid fuel by supplying a second liquid fuel having a saturated vapor pressure lower than that of the fuel.
- the first liquid fuel in the fuel cell is used so that an inexpensive first liquid fuel (saturated vapor pressure is lower than that of the second liquid fuel) is used as the fuel and when the fuel cell is stopped. If the second liquid fuel having a higher saturated vapor pressure is replaced, the fuel (the first liquid fuel and the second liquid) is stopped while the fuel cell is stopped without increasing the operation cost (power generation cost). (Fuel) can be prevented from being wasted due to crossover. For this reason, in the present invention, the fuel cell system is configured as described above.
- the fuel cell system according to the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by using either a fuel cell having a cation exchange membrane as an electrolyte membrane or a fuel cell having an anion exchange membrane as an electrolyte membrane.
- the anion exchange membrane is an electrolyte membrane that has a smaller amount of fuel to cross over than the cation exchange membrane.
- a catalyst non-platinum catalyst
- the second liquid fuel (second liquid fuel supplied to the fuel cell by the fuel cell control unit) in the fuel cell system according to the first aspect of the present invention has a higher saturated vapor pressure than the first liquid fuel. All you have to do is However, if the second liquid fuel is made of a material that is difficult to freeze, for example, ethylene glycol, the freezing of the fuel cell can be suppressed.
- the fuel cell control unit when starting the operation of the fuel cell, the first liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel cell from the beginning, or “when the operation of the fuel cell is started, the second liquid After the operation of the fuel cell is started by supplying fuel, the liquid supplied to the fuel cell is switched from the second liquid fuel to the first liquid fuel.
- the second liquid fuel has a higher output voltage of the fuel cell than the first liquid fuel
- the fuel cell control unit switches from the second liquid fuel to the first liquid fuel when the temperature of the fuel cell becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
- the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell that generates electricity by electrochemically reacting supplied fuel and an oxidant therein, and a plurality of types of fuel cells.
- a fuel cell control unit capable of supplying fuel, the fuel cell control unit selecting a fuel corresponding to a state of the fuel cell from the plurality of types of fuel and supplying the fuel cell to the fuel cell;
- the fuel cell system according to the second aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the fuel supplied to the fuel cell is dynamically switched according to the state of the fuel cell. Therefore, when the first liquid fuel and the second liquid fuel described above are employed as “plural types of fuel” of this fuel cell system and the operation of the fuel cell is stopped as the “fuel cell control unit” (the fuel cell is By adopting a fuel cell system that supplies the second liquid fuel to the fuel cell in such a state, a fuel cell system that consumes less fuel due to crossover and can be operated economically is provided. Will be obtained.
- the “plural types of fuel” two types (or more) of fuel cells with different output voltages of the fuel cell when they are supplied are adopted, and the “fuel cell control unit” serves as the output energy of the fuel cell. If a fuel cell that supplies the fuel cell with the higher output voltage of the fuel cell (or the fuel with the highest output voltage of the fuel cell) to the fuel cell A fuel cell system that can increase the amount of power generation when necessary can be realized.
- two types (or more) of fuels having different melting points are adopted as “plural types of fuel”, and when the fuel cell is being started as a “fuel cell control unit” ( If a fuel cell that supplies the fuel cell with the lower melting point (or the fuel with the lowest melting point) is used at the time of system start-up, problems are less likely to occur during cold start (starting at a lower temperature is possible) N) A fuel cell system can be realized.
- fuels with extremely low volatility (ignitability) are included in the “plural types of fuels”, and the fuel cell control unit operates when the fuel cell status becomes abnormal.
- the fuel cell control unit performs switching of the fuel supplied to the fuel cell at an appropriate time (time determined from the state of the fuel cell). If it is adopted, it is possible to realize a fuel cell system having the various effects described above. Therefore, the fuel cell system of the second aspect is a fuel cell system having a configuration that can be operated as a system that consumes less fuel due to crossover, a system that can greatly change the output, and the like. I can say.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the two switching valves with which the fuel cell system which concerns on 1st Embodiment is provided can take. It is explanatory drawing of the other state which the two switching valves with which the fuel cell system which concerns on 1st Embodiment is provided can take. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of starting which ECU in the fuel cell system which concerns on 1st Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of stop which ECU in the fuel cell system concerning a 1st embodiment performs.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to the present embodiment has been developed as a power supply system for a fuel cell vehicle. More specifically, the fuel cell system 1 is a system for supplying electric power to a portion (“load” in FIG. 1) of a fuel cell vehicle including a DC-DC converter, an inverter, a battery, a vehicle motor, and the like. It has been developed as.
- the fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell 10, a main fuel supply system 12, a sub fuel supply system 13, an oxidant supply system 14, an ECU 30 and the like.
- the fuel cell 10 includes an MEA in which an anode side catalyst layer 22a and an anode side diffusion layer 23a are formed on one surface of an anion exchange membrane 21, and a cathode side catalyst layer 22c and a cathode side diffusion layer 23c are formed on the other surface.
- 1 is a fuel cell including a (membrane electrode assembly) 20.
- an anode side current collecting plate 24a and a fuel flow path 25a are provided on the anode side (the anode side diffusion layer 23a side) of the MEA 20.
- an anode side current collecting plate 24a and a fuel flow path 25a are provided on the cathode side (cathode side diffusion layer 23c side) of the MEA 20.
- the actual fuel cell 10 is provided with a plurality of MEAs 20, fuel flow paths 25a, air flow paths 25c, and the like. More specifically, the actual fuel cell 10 includes a plurality of MEAs 20 that are members (so-called bipolar plates) that function as an anode current collector 24a, a cathode current collector 24c, a fuel flow path 25a, and an air flow path 25c. ).
- the anode side catalyst layer 22a employed in the MEA 20 of the fuel cell 10 is made of a catalyst having low methanol oxidation activity.
- the fuel cell 10 includes a fuel supply port and a fuel discharge port connected to each fuel flow path 25a, and an air supply port and an air discharge port connected to each air flow path 25c.
- the fuel cell 10 is provided with a temperature sensor 28 for measuring the temperature of the fuel cell 10.
- a switching valve 11 i (details will be described later) is attached to the fuel supply port of the fuel cell 10.
- a switching valve 11o (details will be described later) is also attached to the fuel discharge port of the fuel cell 10.
- the main fuel supply system 12 connected to the fuel cell 10 via the switching valves 11i and 11o stores a main fuel (ethanol in this embodiment) that is a relatively inexpensive liquid fuel.
- a main fuel ethanol in this embodiment
- This is a system comprising a fuel tank 15, a main fuel pump 16 for supplying main fuel in the main fuel tank 15 to the fuel cell 10, pipes connecting the respective parts, and the like.
- fuel fuel, CO 2 , water discharged from the fuel discharge port.
- a gas / liquid separator for removing CO 2 from the mixture
- an ethanol / water separator for removing water from the exhausted fuel.
- the auxiliary fuel supply system 13 connected to the fuel cell 10 via the switching valves 11i and 11o stores auxiliary fuel (ethylene glycol in this embodiment) that is a liquid fuel having a saturated vapor pressure lower than that of the main fuel.
- auxiliary fuel ethylene glycol in this embodiment
- the auxiliary fuel supply system 13 is also provided with a gas-liquid separator and an ethylene glycol / water separator (not shown) in the middle of the piping from the switching valve 11 o to the auxiliary fuel tank 17. It has become a thing.
- the switching valves 11i and 11o are three-way capable of connecting either the main fuel supply system 12 or the auxiliary fuel supply system 13 to the fuel cell 10 as schematically shown in FIGS. It is a valve (in this embodiment, a solenoid valve).
- the oxidant supply system 14 (FIG. 1) is a system including an air pump 19 (so-called air compressor) for supplying air to the fuel cell 10 and piping.
- an air pump 19 so-called air compressor
- the oxidant supply system 14 of the fuel cell 10 has a A mixer (not shown) for adding moisture to the air from the air pump 19 is provided in the middle of the pipe leading to the air supply port.
- the ECU (electronic control unit) 30 is configured so that each unit in the fuel cell system 1 generates desired power based on outputs from various sensors (accelerator pedal sensor or the like) provided in the system-equipped vehicle. This unit controls the main fuel pump 16 and the switching valves 11i and 11o.
- the system-equipped vehicle is a fuel cell vehicle on which the fuel cell system 1 is mounted.
- the ECU 30 is a unit that operates based on electric power from a battery (an element of “load” in FIG. 1) in the system-equipped vehicle.
- the ECU 30 is configured as a unit that performs the start-up process of the procedure shown in FIG. 3 when the power generation operation of the fuel cell 10 is started (in this embodiment, when the ignition switch of the system-equipped vehicle is turned ON) ( Programming).
- the ECU 30 when starting the power generation operation of the fuel cell 10, the ECU 30 first controls each unit so that the auxiliary fuel and air (including water) are supplied to the fuel cell 10 (step S 101). That is, the ECU 30 controls the switching valves 11i and 11o so that the auxiliary fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10 (see FIG. 3), and also starts the operation, and the auxiliary fuel pump 17 and the air pump 19 are started. To control.
- the ECU 30 starts processing for monitoring that “fuel cell temperature ⁇ predetermined temperature and elapsed time ⁇ predetermined time” is satisfied (step S102).
- the fuel cell temperature is the temperature of the fuel cell 10 (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28)
- the elapsed time is the elapsed time after the start of the process of step S102.
- the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are predetermined numerical values (temperature, time). These numerical values are determined so that the fuel is switched at an appropriate timing (details will be described later).
- step S102 When “fuel cell temperature ⁇ predetermined temperature and elapsed time ⁇ predetermined time” is satisfied (step S102; YES), the ECU 30 controls each part so that the main fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10 (step S103). . That is, in this step S103, the ECU 30 controls the switching valves 11i and 11o (see FIG. 2) so that the main fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10, and the ECU 30 controls the operation of the auxiliary fuel pump 18. Control for stopping and starting operation of the main fuel pump 16 is also performed.
- the ECU 30 is configured as a unit that performs the stop process of the procedure shown in FIG. 5 when the power generation operation of the fuel cell 10 is stopped (in this embodiment, when the ignition switch of the system-equipped vehicle is turned off). ing.
- step S201 the ECU 30 performs control for stopping the operations of the main fuel pump 16 and the air pump 19, and control for setting the switching valves 11i and 11o to the states shown in FIG. Control for starting the operation of the auxiliary fuel pump 17 is performed.
- the ECU 30 starts a process of waiting for the second predetermined time to elapse (step S202).
- the second predetermined time is a time determined in advance as a time required to replace the main fuel in the fuel cell 10 with the auxiliary fuel.
- step S203 performs control
- the fuel cell system 1 is supplied with relatively inexpensive ethanol (main fuel) in principle in order to cause the fuel cell 10 to generate power.
- ethanol main fuel
- the ethanol present in the fuel cell 10 is replaced with ethylene glycol (sub fuel) which is less likely to evaporate (saturated vapor pressure is low). It has become.
- the fuel cell system 1 is based on a crossover of fuel (ethanol and ethylene glycol) rather than an existing fuel cell system (hereinafter referred to as a conventional system) in which only ethanol is used as fuel. This means a system with low consumption.
- the fuel cell system 1 is a system that can be operated at the same cost as the conventional system.
- the fuel cell system 1 that replaces ethanol present in the fuel cell 10 with ethylene glycol is more stopped than the conventional system (the operation stop of the system). This is a system that consumes less fuel due to fuel crossover.
- the fuel cell system 1 is usually a system that allows the fuel cell 10 to function with ethanol. As described above, the fuel cell system 1 is a system that consumes less ethanol due to crossover (a system in which the operation cost related to ethanol is reduced as ethanol is not wasted). For this reason, the fuel cell system 1 requires a relatively expensive ethylene glycol, but can be operated at a cost equivalent to that of the conventional system.
- the fuel cell system 1 is configured as a system that causes the fuel cell 10 to perform a power generation operation with ethylene glycol when the fuel cell 10 is started (see FIG. 4). Since ethylene glycol is a fuel whose output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is higher than that of ethanol, the fuel cell system 1 has a quick output voltage of the fuel cell 10 when the system is started (when the fuel cell 10 is started). It will also be a system that rises to the required value.
- the fuel cell system 1 is also a system that is unlikely to cause a problem at a low temperature start (a system that can start even at a temperature at which a conventional system is difficult to start).
- the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 can be quickly increased by causing the fuel cell 10 to perform a power generation operation with ethylene glycol.
- the supply time of ethylene glycol is excessively long, the operating cost of the fuel cell system 1 increases.
- the supply time of ethylene glycol is set to a fixed time, there is a possibility that switching to ethanol is performed at a temperature at which freezing occurs in the fuel cell 10 or the piping.
- the supply time of ethylene glycol should not be excessively long and the fuel will be switched. It is possible to prevent problems from occurring.
- the output voltage of the fuel cell 10 can be quickly increased even when the fuel cell temperature is relatively high. It is possible to make it rise (to cause the fuel cell 10 to perform a power generation operation with ethylene glycol). For this reason, the fuel is switched when “fuel cell temperature ⁇ predetermined temperature and elapsed time ⁇ predetermined time” is satisfied after setting appropriate values as the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time. .
- the fuel cell system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a system in which the fuel cell system 1 according to the first embodiment is improved so that the ECU 30 performs control slightly different from that described above. Therefore, hereinafter, only the control operation of the ECU 30 in the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described by using the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the fuel cell system 1 of the first embodiment. To do.
- the ECU 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the second ECU 30) in the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment also performs start-up processing (see FIG. 4) and stop-up processing (see FIG. 5) having the same contents as those already described.
- the second ECU 30 is configured (programmed) to start the normal control process of the procedure shown in FIG. 7 when the startup process is completed.
- the second ECU 30 that has completed the start-up process starts a process (not shown) for controlling the fuel cell 10 to generate desired power, and the status of its own system increases the power generation amount of the fuel cell 10.
- the second ECU 20 controls each unit so that the auxiliary fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10 (step S302).
- the control performed by the second ECU 30 in step 302 includes control for stopping the operation of the main fuel pump 16, control for changing the state of the switching valves 11i and 11o to the state shown in FIG. This is control for starting the operation of the auxiliary fuel pump 17.
- the second ECU 30 monitors the situation where the status of the own system becomes a situation where it is not necessary to increase the power generation amount of the fuel cell 10 (a situation where the power generation amount of the fuel cell 10 can be returned to the normal level) (step S303). ).
- step S303 when it is no longer necessary to increase the power generation amount of the fuel cell 10 (step S303; YES), the second ECU 20 controls each part so that the main fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10 (step S304). Then, the processing after step S301 is started again.
- the second ECU 30 supplies auxiliary fuel (ethylene glycol whose output voltage of the fuel cell 10 is higher than ethanol, which is the main fuel) when the output of the own system (fuel cell 10) needs to be greatly increased.
- the fuel cell 10 is a unit that performs a power generation operation. Therefore, if the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention including the second ECU 30 is used, the power generation amount (power supply amount to the load) can be greatly increased when necessary.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to each embodiment described above can be variously modified.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to each embodiment uses ethanol and ethylene glycol as the main fuel and the auxiliary fuel, respectively.
- the battery system 1 can be modified.
- ethylene glycol is a substance having a particularly low saturated vapor pressure compared to general alcohol.
- ethylene glycol is a substance that hardly freezes and increases the output voltage of the fuel cell 10. For this reason, it is desirable that the auxiliary fuel is ethylene glycol.
- the fuel cell system 1 can be modified into a system including the fuel cell 10 whose electrolyte membrane is a cation exchange membrane.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to each embodiment can be modified to a system for switching the fuel supplied to the fuel cell 10 for the purpose other than “reduction of consumption due to fuel crossover”. Specifically, the fuel cell system 1 according to the first embodiment switches the fuel supplied to the fuel cell 10 in order to improve the startability at a low temperature (a fuel having a low melting point and a fuel for normal operation). And a system in which the former fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 10 at the time of start-up.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment is transformed into a system in which start-up processing or stop-time processing is not performed (a system in which fuel is switched only to temporarily increase the amount of power generation). I can do it.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment when the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment is provided with fuel having extremely low volatility (ignitability) and fuel for normal operation, and the fuel cell 10 is in an abnormal state, the former It is also possible to modify the system to supply the fuel to the fuel cell 10. If such a modification is performed, the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment can be made to function as a system that can cope with the abnormality of the fuel cell 10 without stopping the output.
- the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment is made up of a large number of fuels suitable for use in various situations that may occur in the system (fuel for high output, fuel for cold start, fuel cell) System for selecting the fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell 10 according to the actual situation of the own system, and the like. It can also be transformed into
- the present invention relates to a fuel cell system that causes a fuel cell to generate power, and can be used in various systems / devices that require electric power.
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Abstract
Description
10・・・燃料電池
11i、11o・・・切替弁
12・・・主燃料供給系
13・・・副燃料供給系
14・・・酸化剤供給系
15・・・主燃料タンク
16・・・主燃料用ポンプ
17・・・副燃料タンク
18・・・副燃料用ポンプ
19・・・空気用ポンプ
20・・・MEA
21・・・アニオン交換膜
22a・・・アノード側触媒層
22c・・・カソード側触媒層
23a・・・アノード側拡散層
23c・・・カソード側拡散層
24a・・・アノード側集電板
24c・・・カソード側集電板
25a・・・燃料流路
25c・・・空気流路
28・・・温度センサ
30・・・ECU
図1に、本発明の第1実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1の概略構成を示す。なお、本実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1は、燃料電池自動車の電源システムとして開発されたものである。より具体的には、燃料電池システム1は、燃料電池自動車の、DC-DCコンバータ、インバータ、バッテリ、車両用モータ等からなる部分(図1では、“負荷”)に電力を供給するためのシステムとして開発されたものとなっている。
本発明の第2実施形態に係る燃料電池システムは、上記したものとは若干異なる制御がECU30によって行われるように第1実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1を改良したシステムである。このため、以下では、第1実施形態の燃料電池システム1の説明時に用いたものと同じ符号を用いて、第2実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1内のECU30の制御動作のみを説明することにする。
上記した各実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1は、各種の変形を行うことが出来る。例えば、各実施形態に係る燃料電池システム1は、主燃料、副燃料として、それぞれ、エタノール、エチレングリコールを用いたものであったが、各燃料として、他の物質が使用されたものに、燃料電池システム1を変形することが出来る。
Claims (6)
- 供給された液体燃料と酸化剤とを、その内部で電気化学的に反応させることにより発電を行う燃料電池と、
前記燃料電池を動作させるために前記燃料電池に第1液体燃料を供給する燃料電池制御部であって、前記燃料電池の動作を停止させるときに、前記燃料電池に、前記第1液体燃料よりも飽和蒸気圧が低い第2液体燃料を供給することにより前記燃料電池内の前記第1液体燃料を前記第2液体燃料で置換する燃料電池制御部と
を備えることを特徴とする燃料電池システム。 - 前記燃料電池制御部は、
前記燃料電池の動作を開始させるときに、前記第2液体燃料を供給することにより前記燃料電池の動作を開始させた後、前記燃料電池に供給する液体燃料を前記第2液体燃料から前記第1液体燃料に切り替える
ことを特徴とする請求項1記載の燃料電池システム。 - 前記燃料電池制御部は、
前記燃料電池の温度が所定温度以上となったときに、前記燃料電池に供給する液体を前記第2液体燃料から前記第1液体燃料に切り替える
ことを特徴とする請求項2記載の燃料電池システム。 - 前記第2液体燃料が、エチレングリコールである、
ことを特徴とする請求項1乃至請求項3のいずれかに記載の燃料電池システム。 - 前記燃料電池に用いられている各電解質膜が、アニオン交換膜である
ことを特徴とする請求項1乃至請求項4のいずれかに記載の燃料電池システム。 - 供給された燃料と酸化剤とを、その内部で電気化学的に反応させることにより発電を行う燃料電池と、
前記燃料電池に複数種類の燃料を供給可能な燃料電池制御部であって、前記燃料電池の状態に応じた燃料を前記複数種類の燃料の中から選択して前記燃料電池に供給する燃料電池制御部と
を備えることを特徴とする燃料電池システム。
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/679,174 US8945788B2 (en) | 2008-10-17 | 2008-10-17 | Fuel cell system |
PCT/JP2008/068886 WO2010044170A1 (ja) | 2008-10-17 | 2008-10-17 | 燃料電池システム |
JP2010511412A JP5218555B2 (ja) | 2008-10-17 | 2008-10-17 | 燃料電池システム |
CN2008801080966A CN102099952B (zh) | 2008-10-17 | 2008-10-17 | 燃料电池系统 |
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PCT/JP2008/068886 WO2010044170A1 (ja) | 2008-10-17 | 2008-10-17 | 燃料電池システム |
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WO2010044170A1 true WO2010044170A1 (ja) | 2010-04-22 |
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US (1) | US8945788B2 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP5218555B2 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN102099952B (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2010044170A1 (ja) |
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JP6313352B2 (ja) | 2016-03-09 | 2018-04-18 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | 燃料電池システムの検査方法及び燃料電池システム |
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JP2003077512A (ja) * | 2001-09-05 | 2003-03-14 | Mitsubishi Gas Chem Co Inc | メタノール直接型燃料電池の運転方法 |
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CN100449829C (zh) * | 2004-06-30 | 2009-01-07 | Tdk株式会社 | 直接醇型燃料电池及其制造方法 |
JP5057278B2 (ja) * | 2005-05-10 | 2012-10-24 | 日本電気株式会社 | 固体高分子型燃料電池及び固体高分子型燃料電池の起動方法 |
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2008
- 2008-10-17 US US12/679,174 patent/US8945788B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-10-17 WO PCT/JP2008/068886 patent/WO2010044170A1/ja active Application Filing
- 2008-10-17 CN CN2008801080966A patent/CN102099952B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US8945788B2 (en) | 2015-02-03 |
JPWO2010044170A1 (ja) | 2012-03-08 |
JP5218555B2 (ja) | 2013-06-26 |
US20110236779A1 (en) | 2011-09-29 |
CN102099952B (zh) | 2013-08-21 |
CN102099952A (zh) | 2011-06-15 |
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