WO2012157184A1 - Système de pile à combustible - Google Patents

Système de pile à combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012157184A1
WO2012157184A1 PCT/JP2012/002485 JP2012002485W WO2012157184A1 WO 2012157184 A1 WO2012157184 A1 WO 2012157184A1 JP 2012002485 W JP2012002485 W JP 2012002485W WO 2012157184 A1 WO2012157184 A1 WO 2012157184A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
oxidant gas
reference value
fuel
gas flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2012/002485
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
雅樹 三井
克己 高津
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パナソニック株式会社
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Filing date
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Publication of WO2012157184A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012157184A1/fr

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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
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1009—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged
    • H01M8/1011—Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
    • 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
    • H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04395—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow of cathode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
    • 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
    • H01M8/04537—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04604—Power, energy, capacity or load
    • H01M8/04619—Power, energy, capacity or load of fuel cell stacks
    • 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
    • H01M8/04761—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell exhausts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/30—Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/10—Applications of fuel cells in buildings
    • 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, and more particularly, to control for preventing the occurrence of problems caused by clogging of oxidant gas flow paths of fuel cells with generated water.
  • the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell including a cell stack, a fuel supply unit that supplies fuel to the cell stack, and an oxidant supply unit that supplies an oxidant.
  • the cell stack is configured by stacking a membrane electrode assembly composed of an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between these electrodes, and a separator, and arranging end plates at both ends in the stacking direction. .
  • a general fuel cell system supplies air as an oxidant and hydrogen as a fuel to the fuel cell and generates electricity by reacting them. The same applies when methanol is used as the fuel. With this reaction, water is generated on the cathode side of the fuel cell.
  • the water generated by the fuel cell is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell together with the exhaust gas such as air that has not reacted in the fuel cell.
  • the fuel cell system including the fuel cell is inclined, water cannot be efficiently discharged from the fuel cell, so that water stays in the fuel cell or the flow path is blocked by the water. Water stays in the oxidant gas flow path on the cathode side of the fuel cell, thereby causing a reduction in power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system and deterioration of the apparatus.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a system that detects the inclination of a fuel cell with an inclination sensor and eliminates water remaining in the fuel cell according to the inclination state.
  • the flow rate of the fuel gas or the oxidant gas is increased in order to eliminate the blockage.
  • Patent Document 1 it is not detected whether water retention has actually been resolved after performing the operation to eliminate water retention. However, water can still remain in the oxidant gas flow path. In addition, stagnation of water in the oxidant gas flow path can occur other than when the fuel cell is tilted. Therefore, the system of Patent Document 1 cannot cope with the case where water stays for a reason other than the inclination of the fuel cell.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can prevent clogging of the oxidant gas flow path with water in various situations.
  • the present invention provides a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode;
  • An oxidant gas flow path for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode;
  • a fuel flow path for supplying fuel to the anode;
  • An oxidant gas pump for sending an oxidant gas to the fuel cell through the oxidant gas flow path;
  • a fuel pump that sends fuel to the fuel cell through the fuel flow path;
  • An operation control unit that includes a control function of the oxidant gas pump and the fuel pump, and controls the operation of the fuel cell;
  • a tilt amount sensor for detecting a tilt amount of the fuel cell;
  • a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the oxidant gas sent by the oxidant gas pump;
  • a power sensor for detecting the output power of the fuel cell;
  • the present invention it is possible to accurately detect and eliminate a flow path generated due to the inclination of the fuel cell. Furthermore, since the pressure of the oxidant gas discharged from the oxidant gas pump and the output power of the fuel cell are also detected, it is possible to determine whether or not the flow path is eliminated.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows notionally the internal structure of a fuel cell. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of a fuel cell. It is the perspective view which looked at the fuel cell of Drawing 3 from another direction. It is a top view of a fuel flow path. It is a top view of an oxidant gas channel. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the entrance vicinity of a fuel flow path. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the entrance vicinity of an oxidizing agent gas flow path. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the attachment procedure of oxidant gas supply head.
  • the present invention relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the system includes an oxidant gas channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode, a fuel channel for supplying fuel to the anode, and an oxidant gas that sends the oxidant gas to the fuel cell through the oxidant gas channel.
  • An inclination amount sensor to detect a pressure sensor to detect the pressure of the oxidant gas sent by the oxidant gas pump, and a power sensor to detect the output power of the fuel cell.
  • an acceleration sensor can be used as the tilt amount sensor.
  • the power sensor a current sensor and a voltage sensor can be used.
  • the system controls the operation control unit when the inclination amount is equal to or greater than the reference value SLR, the pressure of the oxidant gas is equal to or greater than the reference value DPR, and the output power of the fuel cell is equal to or less than the reference value PWR.
  • a gas flow rate increase command means for issuing a command to increase the discharge gas flow rate of the oxidant gas pump.
  • water is generated at the cathode.
  • the generated water is discharged to an oxidant gas passage for supplying an oxidant gas (for example, air) to the cathode, and is discharged out of the fuel cell together with excess air that has not reacted at the cathode.
  • an oxidant gas for example, air
  • the flow of the oxidant gas may be hindered by the generated water, and sufficient oxidant gas may not be supplied to the cathode.
  • Control is performed to increase the discharge gas flow rate of the oxidant gas pump. For example, the discharge pressure of the oxidant gas pump is increased.
  • the operation control unit When the generated water stays in the oxidant gas flow path due to the inclination of the fuel cell and clogging (hereinafter referred to as the flow path) occurs, generally, the operation control unit The discharge pressure of the oxidant gas pump is increased so that a flow rate of oxidant gas determined according to the operating state of the fuel cell is sent to the cathode. Therefore, when the pressure of the oxidant gas is increased and the output power of the fuel cell is decreased in spite of this, it is considered that the degree of the flow path clogging is significant. Therefore, for example, the discharge pressure of the oxidant gas pump is increased rapidly and significantly. Thereby, the generated water staying in the oxidant gas flow path is eliminated, and the flow path clogging is eliminated.
  • the gas flow rate increase command means is configured such that the discharge gas flow rate of the oxidant gas pump is also obtained when the inclination amount is less than the reference value SLR, the pressure is not less than the reference value DPR, and the output power is not more than the reference value PWR.
  • a command can be issued to increase.
  • the operation control unit can increase the discharge gas flow rate for a predetermined time by a command from the gas flow rate increase command means.
  • the time required to eliminate the clogging of the flow path can be measured in advance. Therefore, the flow path clogging can be eliminated in most cases by increasing the discharge gas flow rate for a certain period of time that is not less than the pre-measured time. Thereby, it is possible to effectively eliminate the clogging of the flow path without executing complicated control.
  • the operation control unit may increase the discharge gas flow rate, for example, intermittently until the pressure becomes less than the reference value DPR and the output power exceeds the reference value PWR according to the command from the gas flow rate increase command unit. it can. As a result, the clogging of the flow path can be eliminated more reliably.
  • the operation control unit may, for example, intermittently discharge gas until the inclination amount is less than the reference value SLR, the pressure is less than the reference value DPR, and the output power exceeds the reference value PWR according to a command from the gas flow rate increase command unit. It is also possible to increase the flow rate. This is because if the inclination of the fuel cell 1 has not been improved, it may be possible that the flow path is clogged again.
  • the present system includes a failure that determines whether or not the oxidizer gas pump has failed when the inclination amount is less than the reference value SLR, the pressure is less than the reference value DPR, and the output power is less than or equal to the reference value PWR. Determination means. This makes it possible to identify the cause other than the flow path, particularly when the output power of the fuel cell is reduced due to a failure of the oxidant gas supply system.
  • the present system includes a deterioration determination that determines whether or not the fuel cell has deteriorated when the amount of inclination is less than the reference value SLR, the pressure is less than the reference value DPR, and the output power is less than or equal to the reference value PWR. Means may be provided. This makes it possible to identify the cause other than the flow path clogging, particularly when the output power is reduced due to deterioration of the fuel cell.
  • the system further includes an operation stop command unit that issues a command to the operation control unit to stop the operation of the fuel cell when the failure determination unit detects a failure of the oxidant gas pump. It is preferable to do so. In a state where the oxidant gas pump is out of order, it is usually difficult to operate the fuel cell normally.
  • the tilt amount sensor detects a tilt component that causes the oxidant gas to flow from the bottom to the top in the oxidant gas flow path as the tilt amount. If there is such an inclination, gravity is applied to the staying water in the flow path in the direction opposite to the direction of the oxidant gas flow. As a result, the flow of the oxidant gas is hindered by the staying water, and the flow path clogging is likely to occur.
  • the tilt amount sensor detects an angle formed by the direction of the oxidant gas flow in the vicinity of the inlet or the vicinity of the outlet of the oxidant gas flow path and the horizontal direction as the tilt amount. This is because the flow path clogging is likely to occur particularly in the vicinity of the inlet and the vicinity of the outlet of the oxidant gas flow path. In addition, when the flow path clogging is not particularly likely to occur in the vicinity of the inlet or the vicinity of the outlet of the oxidant gas flow path, the inclination amount sensor detects the average of the oxidant gas in the oxidant gas flow path. It is preferable to detect the angle formed by the flow direction and the horizontal direction as an inclination amount.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fuel cell system of FIG. 1 includes a fuel cell 1, a fuel tank 4, a fuel pump 5, an oxidant gas pump 6, a control device 7, a power storage unit 8, a DC / DC converter 9, and a recovery unit 10.
  • a display unit 23 for detecting the discharge pressure of the oxidant gas pump 6.
  • the output power of the fuel cell 1 is output from the positive terminal 2 and the negative terminal 3 to an external load device via the DC / DC converter 9.
  • the positive terminal 2 and the negative terminal 3 are connected to the voltage sensor 22.
  • the voltage sensor 22 detects the output voltage of the fuel cell 1 and outputs the detected value to the control device 7 (calculation unit 7a).
  • a current sensor 21 is connected to the positive terminal 2. The current sensor 21 detects the output current of the fuel cell 1 and outputs the detected value to the control device 7 (calculation unit 7a).
  • the control device 7 calculates the output power of the fuel cell 1 from the detected values of the voltage sensor 22 and the current sensor 21.
  • the voltage sensor 22 and the current sensor 21 function as a power sensor that detects the output power of the fuel cell 1.
  • the fuel pump 5 sends the fuel in the fuel tank 4 to the fuel cell 1 (anode).
  • the oxidant gas pump 6 sends air as an oxidant to the fuel cell 1 (cathode).
  • the control device 7 controls the drive of the fuel pump 5 and the oxidant gas pump 6 and also controls the output voltage of the DC / DC converter 9 to control power supply to the load device and charge / discharge of the power storage unit 8. To do. With the above functions, the control device 7 controls the operation of the fuel cell 2. That is, the control device 7 functions as an operation control unit.
  • control device 7 can include an arithmetic unit 7a that executes various processes.
  • control device 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microcomputer, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and various interfaces. Can be included.
  • the calculation unit 7a can be provided independently of the control device 7. In this case, the calculation unit 7a can include a CPU, a microcomputer, an MPU, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like different from the control device 7.
  • the fuel tank 4, the fuel pump 5, and the control device 7 constitute a fuel supply unit that supplies fuel to the anode 34 in the fuel cell 1.
  • the oxidant gas pump 6 and the control device 7 constitute an oxidant supply unit that supplies air as an oxidant to the cathode 32 in the fuel cell 1.
  • the acceleration sensor 14 detects the inclination of the fuel cell 1 and outputs the detected value to the control device 7 (calculation unit 7a).
  • the pressure sensor 15 detects the pressure (discharge pressure) of the air supplied from the oxidant gas pump 6 to the fuel cell 1, and outputs the detected value to the control device 7 (calculation unit 7a).
  • the display unit 23 displays various information to the user by displaying information sent from the control device 7 (calculation unit 7a).
  • FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the fuel cell.
  • a fuel cell 1 of FIG. 1 includes a cell stack shown in FIG. 2 in which a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) 30 as electromotive parts are stacked with a separator 32 interposed therebetween.
  • the MEA 30 includes an anode (electrode) 34, a cathode (electrode) 36, and an electrolyte membrane 38 interposed between the anode 34 and the cathode 36.
  • the separator 32 is made of a conductor such as carbon and stainless steel, and each MEA 30 of the fuel cell 1 is electrically connected in series by the separator 32. Note that the fuel cell 1 may be configured to include only one MEA 30.
  • the anode 34 includes an anode diffusion layer 34a, an anode microporous layer (MPL) 34b, and an anode catalyst layer 34c.
  • the anode catalyst layer 34c is laminated so as to be in contact with the electrolyte membrane 38, the anode MPL 34b is laminated thereon, and the anode diffusion layer 34a is laminated thereon.
  • the separator 32 is in contact with the anode diffusion layer 34a.
  • the cathode 36 includes a cathode diffusion layer 36a, a cathode microporous layer (MPL) 36b, and a cathode catalyst layer 36c.
  • the cathode catalyst layer 36c is laminated so as to be in contact with the electrolyte membrane 38, the cathode MPL 36b is laminated thereon, and the cathode diffusion layer 36a is laminated thereon.
  • the separator 32 is in contact with the cathode diffusion layer 36a.
  • the anode diffusion layer 34a and the cathode diffusion layer 36a can be made of carbon paper, carbon felt, carbon cloth, or the like.
  • the anode MPL 34b and the cathode MPL 36b can be composed of polytetrafluoroethylene or a tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer and carbon.
  • the anode catalyst layer 34c and the cathode catalyst layer 36c contain a catalyst suitable for the reaction of each electrode, such as platinum or ruthenium.
  • the catalyst is made into fine particles, highly dispersed on the surface of the carbonaceous material, and supported on the carbonaceous material. By binding the carbon carrying the catalyst with a binder, the anode catalyst layer 34c and the cathode catalyst layer 36c are formed.
  • the electrolyte membrane 38 can be composed of an ion exchange membrane that transmits hydrogen ions, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer.
  • a fuel flow path 40 for supplying fuel to the anode 34 is provided on the surface of the separator 32 that contacts the anode 34.
  • an oxidant gas flow path 42 for supplying an oxidant to the cathode 36 is provided on the surface of the separator 32 that contacts the cathode 36.
  • Each flow path 40 and 42 can be formed by providing a groove on each surface described above, for example.
  • the anode 34 is supplied with an aqueous solution containing methanol as a fuel, and the cathode 36 is supplied with air containing oxygen as an oxidant. Then, methanol and water vapor derived from the aqueous methanol solution supplied to the anode 34 are diffused over the entire surface of the anode MPL 34b by the anode diffusion layer 34a, and further pass through the anode MPL 34b to reach the anode catalyst layer 34c. Similarly, oxygen contained in the air supplied to the cathode 36 is diffused over the entire surface of the cathode MPL 36b by the cathode diffusion layer 36a, and further passes through the cathode MPL 36b and reaches the cathode catalyst layer 36c.
  • the anode 34 discharges an aqueous solution of carbon dioxide as a reaction product and unreacted methanol as a fuel residue.
  • nitrogen and unreacted oxygen in the air are discharged from the cathode 36 together with water (steam) as a reaction product.
  • surplus fuel is sent from the recovery unit 10 to the fuel pump 5 as an aqueous methanol solution without being consumed in the fuel cell 1.
  • the carbon dioxide produced at the anode 34 is also sent to the recovery unit 10 where it is separated from the aqueous methanol solution and released to the outside.
  • air containing oxygen as an oxidant is pressurized by the oxidant gas pump 6 and sent to the cathode 36.
  • Water is generated at the cathode 36 (see the above reaction formula (2)).
  • surplus air is mixed with the generated water and sent to the recovery unit 10 as a gas-liquid mixture.
  • the air sent to the collection unit 10 is separated from the water and released to the outside.
  • the concentration of the methanol aqueous solution as the fuel can be adjusted.
  • a system that does not need to supply water from the outside can be realized.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an example of the fuel cell.
  • the fuel cell 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a cell stack 26 and a pair of backing plates 28A and 28B disposed so as to sandwich the cell stack 26 therebetween.
  • the cell stack 26 includes a pair of end plates 46A and 46B disposed at both ends in the stacking direction so as to be in contact with the backing plates 28A and 28B, respectively.
  • the end plates 46A and 46B are made of a conductor such as carbon and stainless steel.
  • the backing plates 28A and 28B can be formed of an insulating resin or ceramic, a resin containing glass fiber, a metal plate coated with an insulating film, or the like.
  • the cell stack 26 is fastened in the stacking direction by a plurality of leaf springs 44 via the backing plates 28A and 28B.
  • the leaf spring 44 can be formed from a spring steel material or the like.
  • the backing plates 28A and 28B are not essential, and the end plates 46A and 46B of the cell stack 26 can be directly clamped by the leaf springs 44. In this case, a short circuit can be prevented by disposing an insulating material in a portion of the leaf spring 44 that contacts the end plates 46A and 46B. In this case, the supply head 50 described later can be fixed to the end plates 46A and 46B with screws or the like.
  • Fig. 5 shows the surface of the separator or end plate in contact with the anode.
  • the fuel flow path 40 is formed by providing a serpentine-like groove on the surface of the separator 32 or the end plate 46 ⁇ / b> A that is in contact with the anode 34.
  • the fuel flow path 40 in the illustrated example has a plurality of parallel straight portions 40a and bent portions 40b that connect the straight portions 40a.
  • the inlet 40c of the fuel flow path 40 can be opened at one end in the longitudinal direction of the separator 32 having a substantially rectangular shape.
  • the outlet 40 d of the fuel flow path 40 can be opened at the other end of the separator 32 in the longitudinal direction.
  • the inlet vicinity portion 40e of the fuel flow path 40 can be formed by providing a hole in the separator 32 or the end plate 46A, not in the groove.
  • the vicinity of the entrance 40e and the end of the straight portion 40a (40a1) closest to the entrance are connected by a vertical hole 40f.
  • a flange portion 32a can be provided around the opening of the inlet 40c.
  • a fuel pipe or the like can be connected to the flange portion 32a.
  • a packing 48 can be disposed between the separators 32 or between the separator 32 and the end plates 46A and 46B so as to surround the MEA 30.
  • the outlet vicinity 40g (see FIG. 5) of the fuel flow path 40 can be formed by providing a hole in the separator 32, not in the groove.
  • the outlet vicinity portion 40g and the end portion of the straight portion 40a (40a2) closest to the outlet can be connected by the vertical hole portion 40h. From the outlet 40d of the fuel flow path 40, the reaction product of the fuel at the anode and the unreacted fuel are discharged.
  • Fig. 6 shows the surface of the separator or end plate in contact with the cathode.
  • the oxidant gas flow path 42 is formed by providing two serpentine-shaped grooves in parallel on the surface of the separator 32 or the end plate 46B on the side in contact with the cathode 36.
  • the oxidant gas flow path 42 in the illustrated example also includes a plurality of parallel straight portions 42a and bent portions 42b that connect the straight portions 42a.
  • the straight portion 42a of the oxidant gas passage 42 and the straight portion 40a of the fuel passage 40 are orthogonal to each other.
  • the inlet 42c of the oxidant gas flow path 42 is open to the other end of the separator 32 in the longitudinal direction.
  • An outlet 42 d of the oxidant gas flow channel 42 opens at one end of the separator 32 in the width direction.
  • the oxidant gas pump 6 is attached to a supply head 50 for supplying oxidant gas to the cell stack 26 by screws or the like.
  • the oxidant gas (air) discharged from the discharge port 6 a (see FIG. 11) of the oxidant gas pump 6 is sent to the discharge chamber 52 of the supply head 50.
  • the discharge chamber 52 has an air supply opening 52a.
  • a pressure sensor 15 is disposed in the discharge chamber 52.
  • the supply head 50 further has an opening 54a of the fuel drainage recovery chamber 54 on the same surface as the air supply opening 52a.
  • the fuel drainage recovered in the fuel drainage recovery chamber 54 is sent to the recovery unit 10 through the discharge pipe 50a.
  • the supply head 50 is attached to one end portion of the fuel cell 1 with a sealing material 56 having two openings 56a and 56b corresponding to the air supply opening 52a and the fuel drainage recovery opening 54a interposed therebetween.
  • One opening 56 a corresponds to the inlet 42 c of each oxidant gas flow path 42.
  • the other opening 56 b corresponds to the outlet 40 d of each fuel flow path 40.
  • the supply head 50 is attached to the fuel cell 1 with a seal material 56 interposed therebetween by tightening a screw 60 into a screw hole 58 provided in the backing plates 28A and 28B.
  • the sealing material 56 isolates the inlet 42 c of the oxidant gas flow path 42 of the fuel cell 1 from the outlet 40 d of the fuel flow path 40.
  • the sealing material 56 connects the discharge chamber 52 and the inlet 42c of each oxidant gas flow path 42. Therefore, the air discharged from the oxidant gas pump 6 is sent from the discharge chamber 52 to the inlet 42 c of each oxidant gas flow path 42. Further, the sealing material 56 connects the outlet 40 d of each fuel flow path 40 and the fuel drainage recovery chamber 54.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the first determination process.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the second determination process.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the separator showing an example of the definition of the tilt amount.
  • the acceleration sensor 14 detects the inclination SL (vector value) of the fuel cell 1 (S1), and the pressure sensor 15 detects the pressure DP of the gas flowing into the inlet 42c (S2).
  • the output power PW of the fuel cell 1 is detected (S3).
  • the inclination amount SL can be calculated by the calculation unit 7a performing a predetermined calculation on the output value of the acceleration sensor 14. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, an angle ⁇ formed by a direction along the inlet vicinity 42 e of the oxidant gas flow path 42 with the horizontal plane can be detected as the inclination SL. At this time, the inclination that causes the flow of the oxidant gas (air) sent into the oxidant gas flow path 42 from the bottom to the top is detected as the inclination SL.
  • the inclination amount SL is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, a large gravity acts on the generated water in a direction opposite to the flow of the oxidant gas.
  • the possibility that the generated water does not flow well toward the outlet 42d and the flow path is clogged increases.
  • the angle formed by the direction along the vicinity of the outlet of the oxidant gas flow path 42 and the horizontal plane can be detected as the inclination SL.
  • the angle formed by the average flow direction of the oxidant gas in the oxidant gas flow channel 42 (the direction from the inlet 42c toward the outlet 42d) and the horizontal plane can be detected as the inclination SL.
  • the oxidant gas pump 6 is normally controlled by the operation control unit of the control device 7 so as to discharge air so that the flow rate of gas flowing through the fuel cell 1 is constant. Therefore, the oxidant gas pump 6 sends air into the fuel cell 1 at a constant pressure during normal operation. However, when the oxidant gas channel 42 is clogged with water, the flow rate of the gas flowing through the oxidant gas channel 42 decreases. Therefore, the operation control unit performs control to increase the output of the oxidant gas pump 6 in order to compensate for this. As a result, the discharge pressure of the oxidant gas pump 6 detected by the pressure sensor 15 increases.
  • the reference value DPR is preferably set to a pressure of about 1.2 to 1.3 times the pressure DP detected during normal power generation. For example, if the pressure is about 1.2 kPa during normal operation, the reference value DPR is preferably about 1.5 kPa.
  • the reference value SLR is preferably set to a predetermined value of 10 to 30 °. Specifically, the reference value SLR can be determined by experimentally determining an angle at which the generated water starts flowing in the flow path due to gravity.
  • the reference value PWR is preferably set to the minimum level of power. For example, it is preferably set to about 80% of the rated power.
  • the calculation unit 7a uses the display unit 23 to notify the user that the system is likely to become unstable due to the inclination of the fuel cell 1. A message to that effect is displayed (S6). And when predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) passes (S13), it will return to S1.
  • cases 1 and 5 the flow path, that is, the elimination process is executed.
  • cases 2, 4 and 8 no special control is performed.
  • case 3 the operation of the fuel cell 1 is temporarily stopped.
  • case 6 the operation of the fuel cell 1 continues, and the display unit 23 displays that a blockage of the flow path has occurred in a part of the gas flow path of the fuel cell 1.
  • case 7 failure determination processing for the fuel pump 5 and oxidant gas pump 6 and deterioration determination processing for the fuel cell 1 are performed.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second determination process.
  • the second determination process first, it is determined whether or not the fuel pump 5 and the oxidant gas pump 6 have a failure (S21, failure determination means). Specifically, the current supplied to the fuel pump 5 and the oxidant gas pump 6, the number of revolutions of the pump, and the discharge pressure of the pump are measured, and how much the measured values deviate from the standard values. By examining the degree of deviation, it is determined whether the fuel pump 5 and the oxidant gas pump 6 are abnormal. If there is an item with the above degree of deviation equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that at least one of the fuel pump 5 and the oxidant gas pump 6 has failed according to the item. Conversely, if there is no item whose divergence is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is no abnormality in any pump.
  • the calculation unit 7a determines whether or not deterioration has progressed in the fuel cell 1 (S22, deterioration determination means). Specifically, the deterioration of the fuel cell 1 is determined by comparing the output power when a predetermined amount of fuel and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell 1 with the output power of the initial fuel cell that has not deteriorated. . As a result, when the output power is reduced by a predetermined rate or more, it is determined that the fuel cell 1 has deteriorated.
  • the deterioration determination process may be performed before the failure determination process, or the two processes may be performed in parallel.
  • the calculation unit 7a makes the gas discharged from the oxidant gas pump 6 with the output of the oxidant gas pump 6 higher than usual with respect to the operation control unit (pump control function) of the controller 7.
  • a command for increasing the amount (discharge amount increase command) is issued. Thereby, discharge of the water staying in the oxidant gas flow path 42 is promoted.
  • the target flow rate of the discharge gas of the oxidant gas pump 6 is temporarily increased (for example, for 5 to 10 seconds) by the discharge amount increase command.
  • the oxidant gas pump 6 can be operated at the maximum rated output, for example.
  • the period during which the discharge gas amount of the oxidant gas pump 6 is increased by the discharge amount increase command can be freely extended until it is determined that the flow path clogging has been eliminated. Specifically, the discharge gas amount can be increased until at least one “Yes” state of (1) to (3) in S4 is released. By controlling in this way, clogging of the oxidant gas flow path 42 can be eliminated more reliably, and a more stable fuel cell system 1 can be realized. At this time, the amount of gas discharged from the oxidant gas pump 6 can be increased intermittently. Thereby, the pressure DP can be detected accurately.
  • the fuel cell system 1 detects the tilt of the fuel cell 1, the pressure of the gas discharged from the oxidant gas pump 6, and the output power of the fuel cell, thereby tilting the fuel cell 1. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect and eliminate the flow path that is generated by the fact. Further, since not only the inclination of the fuel cell 1 but also the pressure of the gas discharged from the oxidant gas pump 6 and the output power of the fuel cell system are detected, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the flow path is eliminated. . Furthermore, since the flow path, pump failure, and fuel cell deterioration can be detected by factors other than inclination, more efficient and highly accurate control can be performed.
  • the DMFC has been described as an example, but the configuration of the present invention can be applied to any fuel cell that uses a power generation element similar to the cell stack 26.
  • the present invention can be applied to a so-called solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell using hydrogen as a fuel or a methanol reforming fuel cell.
  • the fuel cell system of the present invention can reliably prevent or eliminate clogging of the flow path that occurs when the fuel cell is tilted. Such a fuel cell system is particularly useful as a power source for small electronic devices.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
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  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de pile à combustible pourvu : d'une pile à combustible présentant une anode, une cathode et une membrane électrolytique disposée entre l'anode et la cathode ; d'un canal d'écoulement de gaz oxydant destiné à amener un gaz oxydant à la cathode ; d'un canal d'écoulement de combustible destiné à amener un combustible à l'anode ; d'une pompe à gaz oxydant amenant le gaz oxydant à la pile à combustible à travers le canal d'écoulement de gaz oxydant ; d'une pompe à combustible amenant le combustible à la pile à combustible à travers le canal d'écoulement de combustible ; d'une unité de commande de fonctionnement comprenant des fonctions de commande de la pompe à gaz oxydant et de la pompe à combustible, et commandant des opérations de la pile à combustible ; d'un capteur de quantité d'inclinaison détectant une quantité d'inclinaison de la pile à combustible ; d'un capteur de pression détectant la pression du gaz oxydant amené au moyen de la pompe à gaz oxydant ; d'un capteur de puissance détectant la puissance émise par la pile à combustible ; et d'un moyen d'instruction d'augmentation de quantité d'écoulement de gaz émettant des instructions à l'unité de commande de fonctionnement pour augmenter la quantité d'écoulement de gaz d'évacuation de la pompe à gaz oxydant, lesdites instructions étant émises lorsque la quantité d'inclinaison est supérieure ou égale à une valeur de référence (SLR), que la pression est supérieure ou égale à une valeur de référence (DPR) et que la puissance émise est inférieure ou égale à une valeur de référence (PWR).
PCT/JP2012/002485 2011-05-13 2012-04-10 Système de pile à combustible WO2012157184A1 (fr)

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JP2016136466A (ja) * 2015-01-23 2016-07-28 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池システムおよび燃料電池の運転制御方法

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JP2004227139A (ja) * 2003-01-21 2004-08-12 Toshiba Corp 電子機器及びその動作制御方法
JP2005044737A (ja) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Sumitomo Precision Prod Co Ltd 直接メタノール型燃料電池の空気流量の制御方法およびその制御装置。
JP2007157655A (ja) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-21 Toyota Motor Corp 燃料電池システム及び移動体
JP2008112647A (ja) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-15 Toyota Motor Corp 車両用燃料電池システム

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JPH07235324A (ja) * 1994-02-23 1995-09-05 Toyota Motor Corp 燃料電池の駆動装置
JP2004111212A (ja) * 2002-09-18 2004-04-08 Yamaha Motor Co Ltd 燃料電池システム
JP2004172024A (ja) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-17 Toyota Motor Corp 燃料電池システムの運転制御
JP2004227139A (ja) * 2003-01-21 2004-08-12 Toshiba Corp 電子機器及びその動作制御方法
JP2005044737A (ja) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Sumitomo Precision Prod Co Ltd 直接メタノール型燃料電池の空気流量の制御方法およびその制御装置。
JP2007157655A (ja) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-21 Toyota Motor Corp 燃料電池システム及び移動体
JP2008112647A (ja) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-15 Toyota Motor Corp 車両用燃料電池システム

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016136466A (ja) * 2015-01-23 2016-07-28 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池システムおよび燃料電池の運転制御方法

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