WO2013150946A1 - 燃料電池システム - Google Patents
燃料電池システム Download PDFInfo
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- WO2013150946A1 WO2013150946A1 PCT/JP2013/059170 JP2013059170W WO2013150946A1 WO 2013150946 A1 WO2013150946 A1 WO 2013150946A1 JP 2013059170 W JP2013059170 W JP 2013059170W WO 2013150946 A1 WO2013150946 A1 WO 2013150946A1
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
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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
- H01M8/04—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
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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
- H01M8/04—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
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04664—Failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/04679—Failure or abnormal function of fuel cell stacks
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04776—Pressure; Flow at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner
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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
- H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
- H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
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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
- H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
- H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/065—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
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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
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04097—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with recycling of the reactants
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
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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
- H01M8/04—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
- H01M8/04425—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
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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
- H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
- H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
- H01M8/186—Regeneration by electrochemical means by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
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- 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 generation unit.
- a fuel cell typically includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane using a solid polymer ion exchange membrane, a solid oxide electrolyte membrane using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a fuel electrode (anode) and an oxidizer electrode.
- the one sandwiched from both sides by the (cathode) has a single cell configuration.
- a fuel gas flow path for supplying a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) to the fuel electrode and an oxidant gas flow path for supplying an oxidant gas (for example, oxygen or air) to the oxidant electrode are provided. Power generation is performed by supplying fuel gas and oxidant gas to the fuel electrode and oxidant electrode through the passage.
- Fuel cells are not only energy-saving because of the high efficiency of power energy that can be extracted in principle, but they are also a power generation system that is excellent in the environment, and are expected as a trump card for solving energy and environmental problems on a global scale.
- Patent Document 1 As a secondary battery type fuel cell system capable of generating and charging, a system in which a space in which a fuel electrode and a fuel generating member are arranged is sealed and a reaction is promoted by natural diffusion has been proposed (Patent Document 1). And Patent Document 2). However, there is a problem that high output power cannot be obtained because the reaction speed of fuel gas is limited in natural diffusion. And when solving this subject, it is desirable that fuel generation efficiency is as high as possible.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can increase output and increase fuel generation efficiency.
- a fuel cell system includes a fuel generation unit that generates fuel by a chemical reaction, a fuel cell unit that generates power using the fuel supplied from the fuel generation unit, A circulation unit that forcibly circulates a gas containing a product generated by fuel or power generation between a fuel generation unit and the fuel cell unit; and a control unit that controls the circulation unit; The flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulation unit is periodically changed.
- the output can be increased and the fuel generation efficiency can be increased.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel generation unit 1, a fuel cell unit 2, a circulator 3, a heater 4 that adjusts the temperature of the fuel cell unit 2, and the temperature of the fuel generation unit 1. Gas is circulated between the heater 5 to be adjusted, the container 6 for storing the fuel cell unit 2 and the heater 4, the container 7 for storing the fuel generating unit 1 and the heater 5, and the fuel generating unit 1 and the fuel cell unit 2. And a control unit 9 for controlling the circulator 3.
- a metal is used as a base material, and a metal or a metal oxide is added to the surface thereof.
- a metal or a metal oxide is added to the surface thereof.
- the base metal include Ni, Fe, Pd, V, Mg, and alloys based on these, and Fe is particularly preferable because it is inexpensive and easy to process.
- the added metal include Al, Rh, Pd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, V, and Mo.
- the added metal oxide include SiO 2 and TiO 2 .
- the metal used as a base material and the added metal are not the same material.
- a fuel generating member mainly composed of Fe is used as the fuel generating unit 1.
- the fuel generating member mainly composed of Fe can generate hydrogen gas as a fuel (reducing gas) by consuming water vapor as an oxidizing gas, for example, by an oxidation reaction represented by the following formula (1). . 4H 2 O + 3Fe ⁇ 4H 2 + Fe 3 O 4 (1)
- the fuel generation part 1 can be regenerated by the reduction reaction shown in the formula.
- the iron oxidation reaction shown in the above formula (1) and the reduction reaction in the following formula (2) can also be performed at a low temperature of less than 600 ° C. 4H 2 + Fe 3 O 4 ⁇ 3Fe + 4H 2 O (2)
- the main body of the fuel generating unit 1 may be made into fine particles and the fine particles may be molded.
- the fine particles include a method of crushing particles by crushing using a ball mill or the like.
- the surface area of the fine particles may be further increased by generating cracks in the fine particles by a mechanical method or the like, and the surface area of the fine particles is further increased by roughening the surface of the fine particles by acid treatment, alkali treatment, blasting, etc. It may be increased.
- the fuel generating unit 1 may be one in which fine particles are solidified leaving a space that allows gas to pass through, or in the form of being formed into pellet-shaped particles and filling these particles in a large number of spaces. It doesn't matter.
- the fuel cell unit 2 has an MEA structure (membrane / electrode assembly: Membrane Electrode Assembly) in which a fuel electrode 2B and an air electrode 2C that is an oxidant electrode are bonded to both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane 2A as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a structure in which only one MEA is provided, a plurality of MEAs may be provided, or a plurality of MEAs may be stacked.
- the circulator 3 forcibly circulates gas between the fuel generation unit 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 using mechanical energy, for example, a compressor, a fan, A blower, a pump, or the like can be used.
- the container 6 has a circulation gas supply port for supplying a circulation gas to the fuel electrode 2B, a circulation gas discharge port for discharging the circulation gas from the fuel electrode 2B, and an air supply for supplying air to the air electrode 2C. It has an opening and an air discharge port for discharging air from the air electrode 2C.
- the air flow may be controlled by, for example, a fan provided outside the container 6.
- the air flow direction is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 1 and may be opposite to the direction shown in FIG. In this embodiment, air is used as the oxidant gas, but an oxidant gas other than air may be used.
- the container 7 includes a circulation gas supply port for supplying a circulation gas to the fuel generation unit 1 and a circulation gas discharge port for discharging the circulation gas from the fuel generation unit 1.
- the control unit 9 periodically varies the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3.
- the gas flow rate here means, for example, the amount (volume) of gas flowing in a fixed cross section within a unit time, and can be measured with a flow meter.
- the control unit 9 periodically varies the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 by alternately repeating two types of flow rates. For example, when the circulator 3 is a fan, the control unit 9 may perform ON / OFF control of the fan, and may alternately switch the rotation speed in two stages. For example, when the circulator 3 is a diaphragm-type circulator, the control unit 9 may alternately switch the deformation cycle of the diaphragm in two stages.
- a solid oxide electrolyte using yttria-stabilized zirconia can be used as a material of the electrolyte membrane 2A.
- YSZ yttria-stabilized zirconia
- Nafion trademark of DuPont
- cationic conductive polymer cationic conductive polymer
- anionic conductive polymer Solid polymer electrolytes such as, but not limited to, those that pass hydrogen ions, those that pass oxygen ions, and those that pass hydroxide ions can be used as fuel cell electrolytes. Any material satisfying the characteristics may be used.
- an electrolyte that passes oxygen ions or hydroxide ions for example, a solid oxide electrolyte using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is used as the electrolyte membrane 2A.
- the fuel cell unit 2 is electrically connected to the load 11 by turning on the switch SW1 and turning off the switch SW2.
- Electrons generated by the reaction of the above expression (3) reach the air electrode 2C from the fuel electrode 2B through the load 11, and the reaction of the following expression (4) occurs in the air electrode 2C. 1 / 2O 2 + 2e ⁇ ⁇ O 2 ⁇ (4)
- the fuel generation unit 1 consumes water vapor supplied from the fuel cell unit 2 by the Fe oxidation reaction shown in the above formula (1) to generate hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell unit 2. Supply.
- the fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a secondary battery type fuel cell system that can perform not only a power generation operation but also a charging operation.
- the fuel cell unit 2 is electrically connected to the power source 10 by turning off the switch SW1 and turning on the switch SW2.
- the fuel cell unit 2 operates as an electrolyzer, the reverse reactions of the above formulas (3) and (4) occur, water vapor is consumed on the fuel electrode 2B side, hydrogen gas is generated, and fuel is generated.
- the part 1 advances the change from iron oxide to iron by the reduction reaction shown in the above formula (2) to increase the remaining amount of iron. That is, the fuel generating part 1 is regenerated and supplied from the fuel cell part 2. Hydrogen gas is consumed to generate water vapor, and the water vapor is supplied to the fuel cell unit 2.
- the electrolyte membrane 2A can be formed using an electrochemical vapor deposition method (CVD-EVD method; Chemical Vapor Deposition-Electrochemical Vapor Deposition) or the like. If there is, it can be formed using a coating method or the like.
- CVD-EVD method Chemical Vapor Deposition-Electrochemical Vapor Deposition
- Each of the fuel electrode 2B and the air electrode 2C can be constituted by, for example, a catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte membrane 2A and a diffusion electrode laminated on the catalyst layer.
- the catalyst layer for example, platinum black or a platinum alloy supported on carbon black can be used.
- the material of the diffusion electrode of the fuel electrode 2B for example, carbon paper, Ni—Fe cermet, Ni—YSZ cermet and the like can be used.
- a material for the diffusion electrode of the air electrode 2C for example, carbon paper, La—Mn—O compound, La—Co—Ce compound or the like can be used.
- Each of the fuel electrode 2B and the air electrode 2C can be formed by using, for example, vapor deposition.
- the fuel gas is forcibly circulated by the circulator 3, so that the flow velocity is faster than in the case of natural diffusion, and the fuel for reaction at the fuel electrode 2B is used as the fuel electrode. 2B can be sufficiently supplied. For this reason, the output is larger than in the case of natural diffusion.
- the gas pressure pulsation is generated from the circulator 3 by periodically changing the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3. Propagates to the fuel generator 1. Thereby, the fuel generation efficiency of the fuel generation part 1 improves. Details of the reason why the fuel generation efficiency is improved will be described with reference to FIGS.
- 2 and 3 show an example of the fuel generating unit 1 and the container 7, respectively.
- the fuel generating part is composed of a plurality of spherical pellets 12, and the container 7 includes a partition plate 13 for lengthening the gas flow path.
- 2 and 3 schematically show the gas flow with arrows.
- the shape of the pellet is spherical, but other shapes may be used.
- the gas channel has a square cross-sectional shape, but may have other shapes. For example, if the gas channel has a regular hexagonal cross-sectional shape, a honeycomb structure molded body is obtained.
- the molded body 14 constituting the fuel generating portion is a porous body, the gas can permeate inside, but has a higher fluid resistance than the gas flow path. For this reason, even when the fuel generator 1 is formed of a molded body, the structure of the present embodiment allows gas to permeate into the molded body having a large fluid resistance due to propagation of pressure pulsation, and the reaction there causes fuel to flow. The generation efficiency is improved.
- FIG. 6 considering the case where the same amount of fuel is generated when the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 is periodically changed and when the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 is set constant, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 is periodically changed, the total amount of energy E ⁇ b> 1 input to the circulator 3 sets the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 to be constant. Sometimes, it can be made smaller than the total amount of energy E2 charged into the circulator 3. That is, by periodically varying the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3, the fuel generation efficiency can be increased, and the energy efficiency of the entire fuel cell system can be increased.
- control unit 9 Next, a control example of the control unit 9 will be described.
- the controller 9 controls the circulator 3 so that the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 periodically varies as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, or FIG. 7C.
- the fluctuation frequency of the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 varies in an appropriate range depending on the structure of the fuel generation unit 1 and the like. Setting in the range of several Hz to several tens of Hz is assumed.
- FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are common in that the smaller one of the two types of flow rates that are alternately repeated is zero, but the value of the larger flow rate and the time ratio of the two types of flow rates are different from each other. ing. Specifically, the larger value of the flow rate is greater in FIG. 7B than in FIG. 7A, but the time for increasing the flow rate is longer in FIG. 7A than in FIG. 7B. That is, in the control example of FIG. 7A, the magnitude of the flow rate is not so large, but the time for increasing the flow rate is lengthened. In the control example of FIG. 7B, the flow rate is considerably increased in a short time. Further, FIG. 7B and FIG.
- FIG. 7C share the larger value of the two kinds of flow rates and the time ratio of the two kinds of flow rates that are alternately repeated, but the values of the smaller flow rates are different from each other. Specifically, in FIG. 7B, the smaller value of the flow rate is zero, whereas in FIG. 7C, the smaller value of the flow rate is greater than zero. Therefore, the flow rate difference is smaller in FIG. 7C.
- the fuel generator 1 changes its volume every time the oxidation reaction shown in the above equation (1) and the reduction reaction shown in the above equation (2) occur, and fine particles mainly composed of Fe are formed into pellets along with the volume change. Or fall off from the molded body or the like, and may accumulate in a region surrounded by a dotted line shown in FIG. 3, for example, and block the gas flow path. If the gas flow path is blocked, the pressure loss in the fuel generation unit 1 increases, so that when the circulator 3 continues to operate with the same capacity, the gas circulation flow rate decreases, and the amount of power generated by the fuel cell unit 2 This causes a problem of decreasing.
- the control unit 9 may perform control to increase the difference between the two types of flow rates at a certain interval.
- the difference between the two types of flow rates is made larger than usual by further increasing the value with the larger flow rate, but the flow rate difference may be made larger by other methods. For example, when the small value of the flow rate is not zero, the smaller value of the flow rate may be further reduced, or the larger value of the flow rate may be further increased and the smaller value of the flow rate may be further decreased. Good. Alternatively, if the difference is increased, both the larger value of the flow rate and the smaller value of the flow rate may be increased.
- a filter 15 that captures fine particles may be provided between the circulating gas inflow side of the portion 2.
- the control unit 9 performs control to increase the difference between the two kinds of flow rates at a certain interval as described above, thereby preventing the filter 15 from being clogged or recovering the filter 15 from the clogged state. it can.
- the control unit 9 has a first control mode in which the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 is periodically changed, and a second control mode in which the flow rate of the gas circulated by the circulator 3 is set constant. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first control mode and the second control mode may be switched. For example, when the stable output of the fuel cell unit 2 is required, the control unit 9 may select the first control mode.
- the control unit 9 may change the difference between the two types of flow rates for the purpose of changing the output of the fuel cell unit 2 in accordance with fluctuations in power required by the external load.
- the control unit 9 changes the difference between the two kinds of flow rates, the amount of fuel generated in the fuel generation unit 1 changes following the change, and as a result, the output of the fuel cell unit 2 is changed (FIG. 11). reference).
- symbol 16 of FIG. 11 has shown the flow volume of the circulating gas
- symbol 17 has shown the output of the fuel cell part 2, respectively.
- control unit 9 stores information defining the above “short period” and “rapid” (for example, the threshold value of the output change rate of the fuel cell unit 2). For example, when the ratio of the output of the fuel cell unit 2 to the energy input to the circulator 3 within a certain period is less than half of the ratio within the immediately preceding certain period, the output sharply decreases in a short period of time. You may perform control which makes two types of flow volume differences larger than usual.
- the control unit 9 may acquire the detection result of the remaining fuel amount detection unit that detects the remaining fuel amount of the fuel generation unit 1.
- the fuel remaining amount detection unit for example, a device that detects a regeneration state based on a change in the weight of the fuel generation unit 1 or the fuel generation unit 1 when the fuel generation unit 1 is Fe as in the present embodiment.
- An apparatus for detecting a reproduction state based on a change in magnetic permeability can be used.
- the fuel remaining amount detection unit may be provided in the fuel cell system or may be provided outside the fuel cell system.
- the larger flow rate is set to a value set when the gas flow rate is constant (usually, the gas flow rate required to generate the required fuel, It is desirable to control the flow rate to be larger than the value obtained by adding a certain margin, and to make the smaller flow rate smaller than this constant gas flow rate value.
- flow rate is not necessarily limited to two types, and may be a combination of other types as long as gas pressure pulsation is generated.
- a solid oxide electrolyte is used as the electrolyte membrane 2A of the fuel cell unit 2, and water is generated on the fuel electrode 2B side during power generation. According to this configuration, only the flow path for propagating water generated on the fuel electrode 2B side to the fuel generating section 1 and the flow path for propagating fuel from the fuel generating section 1 to the fuel electrode 2B are required, and the apparatus is simplified. It is advantageous for downsizing.
- a solid polymer electrolyte that allows hydrogen ions to pass through can be used as the electrolyte membrane 2A of the fuel cell unit 2.
- one fuel cell unit 2 performs both power generation and water electrolysis.
- a fuel cell for example, a solid oxide fuel cell dedicated to power generation
- a water electrolyzer for example, water
- the solid oxide fuel cell dedicated to electrolysis may be connected to the fuel generator 1 in parallel on the gas flow path.
- the fuel of the fuel cell unit 2 is hydrogen, but a reducing gas other than hydrogen, such as carbon monoxide or hydrocarbon, may be used as the fuel of the fuel cell unit 2.
- air is used as the oxidant gas, but an oxidant gas other than air may be used.
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Abstract
Description
4H2O+3Fe→4H2+Fe3O4 …(1)
4H2+Fe3O4→3Fe+4H2O …(2)
H2+O2-→H2O+2e- …(3)
1/2O2+2e-→O2- …(4)
制御部9は、例えば、循環器3により循環させるガスの流量が図7A、図7B、又は図7Cに示すように周期的に変動するように循環器3を制御する。循環器3により循環させるガスの流量の変動周波数は、燃料発生部1の構造等によって適切な範囲が異なるが、例えば0.数Hz~十数Hzの範囲で設定することが想定される。
燃料発生部1は、上記の(1)式に示す酸化反応と上記の(2)式に示す還元反応が起こる度に体積が変化し、その体積変化に伴ってFeを主体とする微粒子がペレットや成型体等から脱落し、例えば図3に示す点線で囲った領域に溜まってガス流路を塞いでしまうおそれがある。ガス流路が塞がると、燃料発生部1での圧力損失が増大してしまうので、循環器3が同じ能力で運転を続けた場合、ガスの循環流量が少なくなり、燃料電池部2の発電量が減少してしまうという問題が生じる。
制御部9が、循環器3により循環させるガスの流量を周期的に変動させる第1の制御モードと、循環器3により循環させるガスの流量を一定に設定する第2の制御モードとを有し、例えば図10に示すように第1の制御モードと第2の制御モードとを切り替えるようにしてもよい。例えば、燃料電池部2の安定出力が要求されているときには、制御部9が第1の制御モードを選択するようにすればよい。
制御部9が、外部負荷が要求する電力の変動に応じて燃料電池部2の出力を変更することを目的として、二種類の流量の差を変更してもよい。制御部9が二種類の流量の差を変更すると、その変更に追随して燃料発生部1で発生する燃料の量が変化し、その結果、燃料電池部2の出力が変更される(図11参照)。なお、図11の符号16は循環ガスの流量、符号17は燃料電池部2の出力をそれぞれ示している。
燃料発生部1のペレットや成型体等から脱落した微粒子によってガス流路が塞がれた場合、燃料電池部2の出力が短期間で急激に低下する。そこで、制御部9が、燃料電池部2の出力情報を取得し、燃料電池部2の出力が短期間で急激に低下した場合に、二種類の流量差を通常よりも大きくする制御を行い、ガス流路を塞いでいる微粒子がガス流路を塞がない場所に移動して燃料電池部2の出力が回復したら、二種類の流量差を通常に戻す制御を行うようにしてもよい(図12及び図13参照)。なお、図12及び図13の符号16は循環ガスの流量、符号17は燃料電池部2の出力をそれぞれ示している。
燃料発生部1は燃料残量(酸化していない割合)が減ると、燃料発生効率が低下して燃料発生量が減少する。このため、循環器3によるガス循環量を変更しないまま運転を続けると、燃料電池部2の出力が低下する。そこで、本制御例では、制御部9が、燃料発生部1の燃料残量の減少に応じて、段階的に二種類の流量差を大きくして燃料発生量を増加させ、燃料発生効率の低下を補うようにしている(図14参照)。これにより、燃料発生部1の燃料残量の減少によって燃料電池部2の出力が低下することを抑えることができ、燃料を使い切るまで燃料電池部2の安定した出力を得ることができる。なお、図14の符号16は循環ガスの流量、符号17は燃料電池部2の出力、符号18は燃料発生部1の燃料残量をそれぞれ示している。
上述した各実施形態においては、燃料電池部2の電解質膜2Aとして固体酸化物電解質を用いて、発電の際に燃料極2B側で水を発生させるようにする。この構成によれば、燃料極2B側で発生した水を燃料発生部1に伝播する流路と燃料発生部1から燃料極2Bに燃料を伝播するための流路のみでよく、装置の簡素化や小型化に有利である。一方、特開2009-99491号公報に開示された燃料電池のように、燃料電池部2の電解質膜2Aとして水素イオンを通す固体高分子電解質を用いることも可能である。この場合には、発電の際に燃料電池部2の酸化剤極である空気極2C側で水が発生されることになるため、この水を燃料発生部1に伝搬する流路を別途設ければよい。また、上述した各実施形態では、1つの燃料電池部2が発電も水の電気分解も行っているが、燃料電池(例えば発電専用の固体酸化物燃料電池)と水の電気分解器(例えば水の電気分解専用の固体酸化物燃料電池)が燃料発生部1に対してガス流路上並列に接続される構成にしてもよい。
2 燃料電池部
2A 電解質膜
2B 燃料極
2C 空気極
3 ポンプ
4、5 ヒーター
6、7 容器
8 配管
9 制御部
10 電源
11 負荷
12 球状ペレット
13 仕切板
14 成型体
15 フィルタ
SW1、SW2 スイッチ
Claims (16)
- 化学反応により燃料を発生する燃料発生部と、
前記燃料発生部から供給される前記燃料を用いて発電を行う燃料電池部と、
前記燃料発生部と前記燃料電池部との間で燃料又は発電によって生じた生成物を含むガスを強制的に循環させる循環部と、
前記循環部を制御する制御部とを備え、
前記制御部は、前記循環部により循環させるガスの流量を周期的に変動させることを特徴とする燃料電池システム。 - 前記制御部は、前記循環部により循環させるガスの流量を二種類の流量の交互繰り返しで周期的に変動させることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記二種類の流量のうち、大きい方の流量の値を、一定のガス流量を循環させる場合に設定する値よりも大きくなるように、小さい方の流量の値を前記一定のガス流量を循環させる場合に設定する値より小さくなるように制御することを特徴とする請求項2に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記二種類の流量のうち、小さい方の流量の値をゼロとするよう制御することを特徴とする請求項2又は3に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記循環部により循環させるガスの流量についての周期的な変動の態様を変更することを特徴とする請求項1から4のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記循環部により循環させるガスの二種類の流量の差を変更することによって前記周期的な変動の態様を変更することを特徴とする請求項5に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記二種類の流量のうち、流量の大きい方の流量を更に大きくする、又は流量の小さい方の流量を更に小さくすることによって前記二種類の流量の差を変更することを特徴とする請求項6に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記燃料電池部の出力情報を取得し、前記出力情報に基づき、前記周期的な変動の態様を変更することを特徴とする請求項5から7のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、一定期間内において前記循環部に投入したエネルギーに対する前記燃料電池部の出力の割合が、直前の一定期間内における割合の半分以下になったとき、前記循環部により循環させるガスの二種類の流量の差を大きくするよう制御することを特徴とする請求項8に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、外部負荷が要求する電力の変動に応じて前記燃料電池部の出力を変更するために、前記周期的な変動の態様を変更することを特徴とする請求項5から7のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記燃料発生部の燃料残量に応じて、前記周期的な変動の態様を変更することを特徴とする請求項5から7のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記燃料発生部の燃料残量を検知する燃料残量検知部を備え、
前記燃料残量検知部は、前記燃料発生部の重量変化に基づいて、又は前記燃料発生部の透磁率変化に基づいて、前記燃料発生部の再生状態を検出することを特徴とする請求項11に記載の燃料電池システム。 - 前記制御部は、前記周期的な変動の態様を段階的に変更することを特徴とする請求項11又は12に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記制御部は、前記循環部により循環させるガスの流量を周期的に変動させる第1の制御モードと、前記循環部により循環させるガスの流量を一定に設定する第2の制御モードとを有することを特徴とする請求項1から13のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記循環部は、機械的なエネルギーを用いる循環器を有することを特徴とする請求項1から14のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
- 前記燃料発生部は、複数のペレットによって構成され、又は多孔質体を含む成型体にガス流路が形成されていることを特徴とする請求項1から15のいずれか一項に記載の燃料電池システム。
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