Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
  • C25B1/01—Products
  • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
  • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
  • B01D53/32—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00
  • B01D53/326—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00 in electrochemical cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
  • C25B1/01—Products
  • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
  • C25B11/02—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form
  • C25B11/03—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form perforated or foraminous
  • C25B11/031—Porous electrodes
  • C25B11/032—Gas diffusion electrodes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
  • C25B11/04—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by the material
  • C25B11/051—Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier
  • C25B11/052—Electrodes comprising one or more electrocatalytic coatings on a substrate
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
  • C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
  • C25B15/023—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/05—Pressure cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
  • C25B9/73—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type
  • C25B9/77—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type having diaphragms
• • 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
  • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a compression device, a method of operating the compression device, and a method of manufacturing the compression device.
• hydrogen used as fuel for a fuel cell vehicle is generally compressed to several tens of MPa and stored in a hydrogen tank inside the vehicle.
• Such high-pressure hydrogen is generally obtained by compressing low-pressure (normal pressure) hydrogen using a mechanical compression device.
• Patent Document 1 by applying a desired voltage between an anode and a cathode arranged with an electrolyte membrane in between, hydrogen in a hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the anode is moved to the cathode, and compressed hydrogen is generated. It has been proposed to make the stiffness of the cathode flow structure (gas diffusion layer) lower than the stiffness of the anode flow structure (gas diffusion layer) in an electrochemical cell.
• a compression device generates compressed hydrogen at the cathode by applying a voltage between an anode and a cathode having lower bending rigidity than the anode, or by electrolyzing water.
• a compressor that generates the gas
• a controller that determines an abnormality based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode or the pressure of the cathode after supplying test gas from a test gas supply device to the cathode when starting or stopping. Be prepared.
• a method for operating a compression device includes applying a voltage between an anode and a cathode having lower bending rigidity than the anode to generate compressed hydrogen at the cathode by oxidation-reduction of hydrogen or electrolysis of water.
• a test gas is supplied to the cathode, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode or the pressure of the cathode after the test gas is supplied.
• a method for manufacturing a compression device includes stacking an electrolyte membrane, an electrochemical cell having an anode on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode on the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane to form a laminate.
• a test gas is supplied to the cathode, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode or the pressure of the cathode after the test gas is supplied.
• a compression device, a method of operating a compression device, and a method of manufacturing a compression device according to one aspect of the present disclosure can have the effect that abnormalities in the compressor can be determined more appropriately than in the past.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compression device according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the compression device according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to a modification of the second embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the third embodiment.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compression device according to the third embodiment.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the compression device according to the third embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the compression device of the first modification of the third embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the compression device of the second modification of the third embodiment.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing a compression device according to the fourth embodiment.
• the inventors of the present invention discovered that in order to detect the above abnormality, when testing for leaks between the anode and cathode by supplying a test gas to the electrochemical cell, the test gas is supplied to the cathode rather than the anode. It has been found that damage to the electrolyte membrane during inspection can be suppressed by doing so.
• the supply pressure of the test gas is relatively high to make it easier to detect leaks, so if the test gas were to be supplied to the anode, the electrolyte membrane would fall to the cathode side, which has lower bending rigidity than the anode. This is because the electrolyte membrane may be damaged.
• the compression device of the first aspect of the present disclosure generates compressed hydrogen at the cathode by applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode, which has lower bending rigidity than the anode, or by oxidation-reduction of hydrogen or by electrolysis of water. It includes a compressor and a controller that determines an abnormality based on the gas flow rate at the anode outlet or the cathode pressure after a test gas is supplied to the cathode from a test gas supply device when starting or stopping.
• the compressor of this aspect can determine whether there is an abnormality in the compressor more appropriately than before.
• the amount of test gas that leaks from the cathode to the anode via the electrolyte membrane after the test gas is supplied from the test gas supply device to the cathode is thought to change depending on the state of damage to the electrolyte membrane.
• An abnormality in the compressor can be appropriately determined using the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode or the pressure at the cathode after the test gas is supplied from the supply device to the cathode.
• the electrolyte membrane is more likely to be damaged due to deformation of the electrolyte membrane than when the same test gas is supplied to the cathode.
• the reason for this is that, as mentioned above, the bending rigidity of the cathode is lower than that of the anode.
• the compression device of this embodiment supplies the test gas to the cathode from the test gas supply device and then uses the gas flow rate at the anode outlet or the pressure of the cathode to confirm the presence or absence of damage to the electrolyte membrane.
• the possibility of inducing damage to the electrolyte membrane can be reduced compared to when the electrolyte is supplied to the anode.
• the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device may be higher than the supply pressure of the anode fluid during the compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the compression device of the present aspect performs such control by controlling the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device to be higher than the supply pressure of the anode fluid during the compressed hydrogen generation operation. This makes it easier to determine whether there is an abnormality in the compressor compared to the case where this is not done. The reason for this is that the higher the test gas supply pressure is compared to the anode fluid supply pressure, the more pronounced the change in the gas flow rate at the anode outlet or the change in the cathode pressure will be in the event of an abnormality in which the electrolyte membrane is damaged. be.
• the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is the upper limit of the supply pressure of the anode fluid during the compressed hydrogen generation operation. May be higher than the value.
• the compression device of this aspect can control the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device to be higher than the upper limit value of the supply pressure of the anode fluid during the compressed hydrogen generation operation. , it becomes easier to determine whether there is an abnormality in the compressor than when such control is not performed. The reason for this is that the higher the test gas supply pressure is compared to the upper limit of the anode fluid supply pressure, the more pronounced the change in the gas flow rate at the anode outlet or the change in the cathode pressure will be in the event of an abnormality in which the electrolyte membrane is damaged. Because it appears.
• the bending stiffness of the cathode gas diffusion layer included in the cathode is such that the bending rigidity of the anode gas diffusion layer included in the anode is It may be lower than the rigidity.
• the controller controls the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode after supplying the test gas to the cathode to a first level. If it is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it may be determined that there is an abnormality.
• the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode after supplying the test gas to the cathode tends to be higher than the above gas flow rate during normal times when the electrolyte membrane is not damaged. Therefore, by setting the first threshold value to a desired value, the compression device of this aspect performs compression based on the comparison between the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode and the first threshold value after supplying the test gas to the cathode. It is possible to appropriately determine abnormalities in the machine.
• the controller is configured such that the pressure of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode is equal to or lower than a second threshold value. may be determined to be abnormal.
• the pressure of the cathode after the test gas is supplied to the cathode in an abnormal state where the electrolyte membrane is damaged tends to be lower than the pressure at the cathode in a normal state where the electrolyte membrane is not damaged. Therefore, by setting the second threshold value to a desired value, the compressor device of this embodiment detects an abnormality in the compressor based on the comparison between the pressure of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode and the second threshold value. can be appropriately determined.
• the controller is configured such that the pressure drop in the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode is equal to or higher than a third threshold value. It may be determined that there is an abnormality.
• the compression device of this embodiment adjusts the pressure of the compressor based on the comparison between the pressure drop of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode and the third threshold value. Abnormalities can be appropriately determined.
• the controller is configured such that the speed of pressure decrease of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode is set to a fourth level. If it is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it may be determined that there is an abnormality.
• the speed of the pressure drop at the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode tends to be greater than the speed at which the pressure drops at the cathode in a normal state where the electrolyte membrane is not damaged. . Therefore, by setting the fourth threshold value to a desired value, the compression device of this embodiment performs compression based on the comparison between the speed of the pressure drop of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode and the fourth threshold value. It is possible to appropriately determine abnormalities in the machine.
• a method for operating a compression device is to apply a voltage between an anode and a cathode having lower bending rigidity than the anode to generate compressed hydrogen at the cathode by oxidation-reduction of hydrogen or electrolysis of water.
• a test gas is supplied to the cathode at startup or stop, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the anode outlet or the cathode pressure after the test gas is supplied.
• a method for manufacturing a compression device includes producing a laminate by stacking an electrolyte membrane, an electrochemical cell having an anode on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode on the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane. Then, a test gas is supplied to the cathode, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode or the pressure of the cathode after the test gas is supplied.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the first embodiment.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment includes a compressor 1 and a controller 50.
• the compressor 1 includes an ion-conductive electrolyte membrane 11, an anode AN, and a cathode CA.
• the compressor 1 is a device that generates compressed hydrogen at the cathode CA by applying a voltage between the anode AN and the cathode CA, which has lower bending rigidity than the anode AN, and oxidizing and reducing the hydrogen, or by electrolyzing water.
• an example of the compressor 1 that generates compressed hydrogen at the cathode CA by redox of hydrogen is an electrochemical hydrogen pump.
• hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the anode AN as an anode fluid.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump by applying a voltage between the anode AN and the cathode CA provided with the electrolyte membrane 11 in between, hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the anode AN is oxidized and becomes protons. . These protons move to the cathode CA via the electrolyte membrane and are reduced, resulting in compressed hydrogen being generated at the cathode CA.
• the hydrogen-containing gas may be, for example, hydrogen gas produced by electrolysis of water, or reformed gas produced by a reforming reaction of hydrocarbon gas.
• a PEM type or AEM (anion exchange membrane) type water electrolyzer can be mentioned as the compressor 1 in which compressed hydrogen is generated at the cathode CA by electrolysis of water.
• water is supplied to the anode AN as an anode fluid during the compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the AEM type water electrolysis device water may be supplied to the cathode CA. That is, the water electrolysis device is a device that generates oxygen at the anode AN and hydrogen at the cathode CA by applying a voltage between the anode AN and the cathode CA provided with the electrolyte membrane 11 in between.
• a PEM type water electrolysis device uses a proton exchange membrane that transmits protons (H + )
• an AEM type water electrolysis device uses an anion exchange membrane that transmits anions (OH ⁇ ).
• the anode AN is provided on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 11.
• Anode AN is an electrode including an anode catalyst layer 22 and an anode gas diffusion layer 24.
• Cathode CA is provided on the other main surface of electrolyte membrane 11.
• Cathode CA is an electrode including a cathode catalyst layer 23 and a cathode gas diffusion layer 25.
• the electrolyte membrane 11 may have any configuration as long as it has proton conductivity.
• the electrolyte membrane 11 may include a fluoropolymer electrolyte membrane, a hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane, and the like.
• the electrolyte membrane 11 for example, Nafion (registered trademark, manufactured by DuPont), Aciplex (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation), etc. can be used, but the electrolyte membrane 11 is not limited thereto.
• the anode catalyst layer 22 is provided on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 11.
• the anode catalyst layer 22 includes, but is not limited to, carbon that can support a catalyst metal (eg, platinum) in a dispersed state.
• the cathode catalyst layer 23 is provided on the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane 11.
• the cathode catalyst layer 23 includes carbon that can support a catalyst metal (eg, platinum) in a dispersed state, but is not limited thereto.
• examples of the carbon-based powder include powders such as graphite, carbon black, and electrically conductive activated carbon.
• the method of supporting platinum or other catalytic metal on the carbon carrier is not particularly limited.
• methods such as powder mixing or liquid phase mixing may be used.
• Examples of the latter liquid phase mixing include a method in which a carrier such as carbon is dispersed in a catalyst component colloidal liquid and adsorbed thereon.
• the state in which the catalyst metal such as platinum is supported on the carbon carrier is not particularly limited.
• the catalyst metal may be made into fine particles and supported on a carrier in a highly dispersed state.
• the cathode gas diffusion layer 25 is provided on the cathode catalyst layer 23.
• the cathode gas diffusion layer 25 is made of a porous material and has electrical conductivity and gas diffusivity. It is preferable that the cathode gas diffusion layer 25 has elasticity so as to appropriately follow the displacement and deformation of the constituent members that occur due to the differential pressure between the cathode CA and the anode AN during operation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• a carbon fiber sintered body can be used, but the material is not limited thereto.
• the anode gas diffusion layer 24 is provided on the anode catalyst layer 22.
• the anode gas diffusion layer 24 is made of a porous material and has electrical conductivity and gas diffusivity. It is preferable that the anode gas diffusion layer 24 has enough rigidity to withstand the pressing of the electrolyte membrane 11 due to the above-mentioned differential pressure during operation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the base material of the anode gas diffusion layer 24 for example, a carbon particle sintered body or a titanium sintered body can be used, but the base material is not limited thereto.
• the bending rigidity of the cathode gas diffusion layer 25 included in the cathode CA is lower than the bending rigidity of the anode gas diffusion layer 24 included in the anode AN.
• the voltage applicator may have any configuration as long as it can apply a voltage between the anode AN and the cathode CA.
• examples of the voltage applicator include a DC/DC converter, an AC/DC converter, and the like.
• a DC/DC converter is used when a voltage applier is connected to a DC power source such as a solar cell, a fuel cell, or a battery.
• An AC/DC converter is used when a voltage applier is connected to an alternating current power source such as a commercial power source.
• the voltage applicator is configured to apply a voltage between the anode AN and the cathode CA, for example, so that the power supplied to the electrochemical cell of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A becomes a predetermined set value.
• the power source may be a power type power source in which the current flowing through the power source is adjusted.
• the controller 50 determines an abnormality based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA at the time of startup or stop. Further, the controller 50 may control the overall operation of the compression device 100.
• At the time of stoppage refers to a time after the supply of cathode gas containing compressed hydrogen from the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A to the hydrogen demand unit (not shown) is stopped. Moreover, “at the time of stoppage” may be after the compression operation that generates compressed hydrogen to be supplied to the hydrogen consumer is stopped.
• “At the time of startup” refers to the time of preparatory operation for the start of compression operation of the compression device 100 (during the start-up operation). Note that “starting" of the compression device 100 may be started at the timing when an appropriate starting signal is input to the controller 50. Furthermore, when the "startup" of the compression device 100 is completed, the compression operation of the compression device 100 is started.
• determination an abnormality based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device means that after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device, Any form is included as long as an abnormality is determined using the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN.
• the determination may be made based on the gas flow rate itself at the outlet of the anode AN after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device, or the test gas may be supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device.
• the determination may be made based on a change in the gas flow rate value at the outlet of the anode AN after being supplied. Alternatively, it may be the speed of change (differential value) of the gas flow rate value at the outlet of the anode AN after the test gas is supplied from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA.
• determining an abnormality based on the pressure of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA means that the anode AN after the test gas is supplied from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA. Any form is included as long as an abnormality is determined using an exit.
• the determination may be made based on the pressure value of the cathode CA itself after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device, or after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device.
• the determination may be made based on a change in the pressure value of the cathode CA. Alternatively, it may be the speed of change (differential value) in the pressure value of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device.
• Examples of the hydrogen demand bodies include hydrogen storage devices, fuel cells, and hydrogen infrastructure piping.
• Examples of the hydrogen storage device include a dispenser installed at a hydrogen station, a hydrogen cylinder, and the like.
• the controller 50 includes, for example, an arithmetic circuit (not shown) and a storage circuit (not shown) that stores a control program.
• Examples of the arithmetic circuit include an MPU and a CPU.
• Examples of the storage circuit include a memory.
• the controller 50 may be composed of a single controller that performs centralized control, or may be composed of a plurality of controllers that cooperate with each other to perform distributed control.
• each of the pair of separators may sandwich the anode AN and the cathode CA from the outside.
• the separator in contact with the anode AN is a conductive plate-shaped member for supplying hydrogen-containing gas to the anode AN.
• This plate-shaped member includes a serpentine-shaped gas flow path through which hydrogen-containing gas to be supplied to the anode AN flows.
• the separator in contact with the cathode CA is a conductive plate-shaped member for deriving hydrogen from the cathode CA.
• This plate-shaped member includes a gas flow path through which hydrogen derived from the cathode CA flows.
• sealing materials such as gaskets are usually provided on both sides of the electrochemical cell to prevent high-pressure hydrogen from leaking to the outside, and are integrated with the electrochemical cell of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A. Pre-assembled.
• the above-mentioned separator is arranged outside the electrochemical cell to mechanically fix the electrochemical cell and to electrically connect adjacent electrochemical cells in series.
• electrochemical cells Approximately 10 to 200 electrochemical cells are stacked by alternately stacking electrochemical cells and separators, and the stack is sandwiched between end plates with a current collector plate and an insulating plate in between.
• the laminated structure is generally tightened with a fastening rod.
• groove-shaped branch paths are branched from appropriate pipes in each of the separators, and the downstream ends of these paths are connected to the separator. It is necessary to connect it to one end of each gas flow path.
• groove-shaped branch paths are branched from appropriate pipes in each of the separators, and the upstream ends of these paths are connected to each of the separators. It is necessary to configure it so that it is connected to the other end of the gas flow path.
• groove-shaped branch paths are branched from appropriate pipes in each separator, and the upstream ends of these are connected to each cathode of the separator. You need to configure it to do so.
• the above-mentioned conduit is called a manifold, and the manifold is made up of, for example, a series of through holes provided at appropriate positions in each of the members making up the stack.
• the compression device 100 also includes a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the electrochemical cell, a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of the electrochemical cell, a dew point regulator that adjusts the dew point of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the anode AN, etc. may be provided.
• a low-pressure and high-humidity hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, and a voltage from a voltage applicator is supplied to the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• hydrogen molecules are separated into protons and electrons in the anode catalyst layer 22 of the anode AN (Formula (1)). Protons conduct within the electrolyte membrane 11 and move to the cathode catalyst layer 23. Electrons move to the cathode catalyst layer 23 through the voltage applier.
• a Hydrogen (H 2 ) generated at the cathode CA can be compressed by increasing the pressure loss in the cathode gas outlet channel using a back pressure valve, a regulating valve (not shown), etc.
• increasing the pressure loss of the cathode gas outlet flow path corresponds to reducing the opening degree of the back pressure valve and adjustment valve provided in the cathode gas outlet flow path.
• the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped. Specifically, for example, the supply of cathode gas from the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A to the hydrogen storage device is stopped by closing the back pressure valve and adjustment valve provided in the cathode gas outlet flow path. Note that the cathode gas stored in the hydrogen storage device may be supplied to a fuel cell or the like at an appropriate time.
• a test gas is supplied to the cathode CA when starting or stopping, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied. The action is performed.
• the compressor 100 and the operating method of the compressor 100 of this embodiment can determine whether the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is abnormal more appropriately than before.
• an abnormality in the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A can be appropriately determined using the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA from the test gas supply device.
• the electrolyte membrane 11 will be damaged due to deformation of the electrolyte membrane 11, compared to when the same test gas is supplied to the cathode CA. It becomes easier. The reason for this is that, as described above, the bending rigidity of the cathode CA is lower than that of the anode AN.
• the compression device 100 and the operating method of the compression device 100 of the present embodiment are to use the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after supplying the test gas from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA.
• the compression device 100 and the operating method of the compression device 100 of the present embodiment are to use the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after supplying the test gas from the test gas supply device to the cathode CA.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment is the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment except for the test gas supply pressure described below.
• the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is higher than the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas during the compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas during the compressed hydrogen generation operation is often set to an appropriate value, for example, about 0.1 MPaG (gauge pressure) or less. Therefore, the supply pressure of the test gas is set to a value higher than about 0.1 MPaG, for example, preferably at least 0.2 MPaG, and more preferably 0.4 MPaG or more.
• the upper limit value of the test gas supply pressure is the design upper limit pressure of the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, in other words, the durability pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the design upper limit pressure of the cathode CA is often set, for example, to several times the upper limit value of the cathode CA during compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the upper limit value of the cathode CA during the compressed hydrogen generation operation can be about 40 MPaG.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A of this embodiment is controlled so that the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is higher than the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas during the compressed hydrogen generation operation. Therefore, it becomes easier to determine whether there is an abnormality in the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A compared to the case where such control is not performed.
• the reason for this is that the higher the supply pressure of the test gas is compared to the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas, the more pronounced the change in the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the change in the pressure of the cathode CA in the event of an abnormality in which the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged. Because it appears.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment may be the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment except for the above characteristics.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment is the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment except for the test gas supply pressure described below.
• the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is higher than the upper limit of the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas during the compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the upper limit value of the supply pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas during the compressed hydrogen generation operation is often set to about 0.1 MPaG (gauge pressure), for example. Therefore, the supply pressure of the test gas is set to a value higher than about 0.1 MPaG, preferably at least 0.2 MPaG, and more preferably 0.4 MPaG or higher.
• the upper limit value of the test gas supply pressure is the design upper limit pressure of the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, in other words, the durability pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the design upper limit pressure of the cathode CA is often set, for example, to several times the upper limit value of the cathode CA during compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the upper limit value of the cathode CA during the compressed hydrogen generation operation can be about 40 MPaG.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A of this embodiment is configured such that the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is higher than the upper limit of the supply pressure of hydrogen-containing gas during compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the supply pressure of the test gas from the test gas supply device is higher than the upper limit of the supply pressure of hydrogen-containing gas during compressed hydrogen generation operation.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment may be the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment or the first example of the first embodiment except for the above characteristics.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the second embodiment.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment includes an electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, a test gas supply path 5, an anode supply path 8, an anode discharge path 6, and a controller 50.
• the configuration of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is the same as that of the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.
• the anode supply path 8 is a flow path for supplying hydrogen-containing gas to the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the anode supply path 8 may be connected to any location as long as it communicates with the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the anode supply path 8 may be connected to the inlet of the anode AN.
• the downstream end of the anode supply path 8 may communicate with a manifold for introducing hydrogen-containing gas.
• the upstream end of the anode supply path 8 may be connected to an appropriate hydrogen supply source, for example. Examples of the hydrogen supply source include a water electrolysis device, a reformer, a hydrogen tank, and the like.
• the anode discharge path 6 is a flow path for exhausting excess hydrogen-containing gas from the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the upstream end of the anode discharge path 6 may be connected to any location as long as it communicates with the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the upstream end of the anode discharge path 6 may be connected to the outlet of the anode AN.
• the upstream end of the anode discharge path 6 may communicate with a manifold for deriving hydrogen-containing gas.
• the anode discharge path 6 may be routed such that the downstream end of the anode discharge path 6 is connected to the anode supply path 8 at a suitable position, for example.
• the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the anode AN can be appropriately reused.
• the downstream end of the anode discharge path 6 may be connected to, for example, a flow meter or a gas sensor.
• a gas sensor for example, a gas detector manufactured by Riken Keiki Co., Ltd. (model number: GP-1000) can be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
• the test gas supply path 5 is a flow path for supplying test gas to the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the test gas supply path 5 may be connected to any location as long as it communicates with the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the test gas supply path 5 may be connected to the outlet of the cathode CA.
• the downstream end of the test gas supply path 5 may communicate with a manifold for deriving cathode gas.
• the upstream end of the test gas supply path 5 may be connected to a test gas supply device, for example.
• test gas supply device examples include a test gas supply source with a predetermined supply pressure, a pump that communicates with the test gas supply source, and the like.
• Examples of the former test gas supply source include a hydrogen gas girdle, a hydrogen gas cylinder, a helium gas cylinder, and the like.
• a hydrogen gas girdle or a hydrogen gas cylinder can be used.
• a helium gas cylinder can be used.
• the pump may be an external device provided outside the compression device 100, but it can also be configured as an internal device provided in the compression device 100.
• a specific example of such a configuration will be explained in a modified example.
• the controller 50 determines that the gas flow rate L at the outlet of the anode AN after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA is abnormal if it is equal to or greater than the threshold value A.
• the threshold value A (Ls) in FIG. 4 is a reference value that is appropriately set in order to know whether or not the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged. can be determined from the measured value of
• the detailed configuration of the controller 50 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compression device according to the second embodiment.
• the operation shown in FIG. 3 may be performed, for example, by the arithmetic circuit of the controller 50 reading a control program from the storage circuit of the controller 50. However, it is not necessarily essential that this operation be performed by the controller 50. The operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 50 will be described.
• step S1 When the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped in step S1 (“YES” in step S1), the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected as described below when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped.
• step S2 supply of test gas to the cathode CA is started.
• a valve provided in the test gas supply path 5 is opened, and thereby an appropriate amount of test gas is supplied to the cathode CA for a predetermined period of time.
• step S3 the test gas supply to the cathode CA is stopped.
• a valve provided in the test gas supply path 5 is closed.
• step S4 after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA, a gas flow rate L passing through the outlet of the anode AN is derived using a flow meter provided at the outlet of the anode AN.
• step S5 it is determined whether the gas flow rate L in step S4 is greater than or equal to a threshold value A (Ls).
• step S5 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. It is determined that it exists.
• step S5 if the gas flow rate L in step S4 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value A (Ls) (“NO” in step S5), it is determined in step S7 that there is no damage to the electrolyte membrane 11.
• the above inspection of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is an example, and is not limited to this example.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped, but such an inspection may be conducted when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is started.
• the presence or absence of damage to the electrolyte membrane 11 is determined using a flow meter, but the presence or absence of damage to the electrolyte membrane 11 may be determined using a gas sensor.
• the gas flow rate L at the outlet of the anode AN after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA tends to be larger than the gas flow rate L in a normal situation where the electrolyte membrane 11 is not damaged. . Therefore, by setting the threshold value A (Ls) to a desired value, the compression device 100 of the present embodiment can adjust the gas flow rate L at the outlet of the anode AN after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA and the threshold value A (Ls). Based on the comparison, abnormalities in the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A can be appropriately determined.
• the compression device 100 of the present embodiment may be the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment and any of the first to second examples of the first embodiment, except for the above characteristics.
• the compression device 100 of this modification is the same as the compression device 100 of the second embodiment except for the gas flow path configuration described below.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to a modification of the second embodiment.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment includes an electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, a test gas supply path 5A, a second valve 5B, an anode supply path 8A, a first valve 8B, and an anode discharge path 6. , a hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7, and a controller 50.
• the configuration of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is the same as that of the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.
• the configuration of the anode discharge path 6 is the same as that in the second embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.
• the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 is provided in the anode supply path 8A, and is a device for supplying hydrogen-containing gas to the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
• the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 may have any configuration as long as it can supply hydrogen-containing gas to the anode AN of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A. Examples of the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 include, but are not limited to, a pump.
• the test gas supply path 5A is branched from the anode supply path 8A between the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 and the first valve 8B, and is connected to the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• This is a flow path for supplying gas.
• the upstream end of the test gas supply path 5A is connected to the anode supply path 8A at a branch point BR.
• the test gas supply path 5A extends so as to communicate with the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the test gas supply path 5A may be connected to any location that communicates with the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the downstream end of the test gas supply path 5A may communicate with a manifold for deriving hydrogen.
• the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 provided in the compression device 100 is used as the test gas supply device.
• a hydrogen-containing gas is used as the test gas. That is, the hydrogen-containing gas supply device 7 is provided in the anode supply path 8A, and as shown by the dashed line in FIG. It is.
• the compression device 100 of this modification can reduce the number of parts compared to the case where an external device provided outside the compression device 100 is used as the test gas supply device.
• the first valve 8B is provided in the anode supply path 8A downstream of the branch point BR, and is a valve for opening and closing the anode supply path 8A.
• the second valve 5B is provided in the test gas supply path 5A, and is a valve for opening and closing the test gas supply path 5A. That is, when the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected, the first valve 8B is closed and the second valve 5B is opened.
• the first valve 8B and the second valve 5B may have any configuration as long as they can open and close the anode supply path 8A and the test gas supply path 5A.
• first valve 8B and the second valve 5B may be an on-off valve.
• an on-off valve for example, a driven valve or an electromagnetic valve driven by nitrogen gas or air can be used, but the invention is not limited to these.
• the gas flow path configuration of the compression device 100 described above is an example, and is not limited to this example.
• a water supply device provided in the water electrolysis device can be used as the test gas supply device.
• a tank storing an appropriate inspection gas is connected to the water supply device.
• a three-way valve provided at the branch point BR can also be used.
• the compression device 100 of this modification is the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment, the first example to the second example of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment except for the above-mentioned features. Good too.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a compression device according to the third embodiment.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment includes an electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A, a pressure gauge 9, and a controller 50.
• the configuration of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is the same as that of the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.
• the pressure gauge 9 is a device that detects the pressure of the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the pressure gauge 9 may have any configuration as long as it can detect the pressure of the cathode CA of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A.
• the pressure gauge 9 may be configured to detect the pressure within the gas flow path communicating with the cathode CA.
• the controller 50 determines that there is an abnormality if the pressure of the cathode CA after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA is equal to or less than the threshold value B.
• the threshold value B (Ps) in FIG. 8 is a reference value that is appropriately set in order to know whether or not the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged.
• the threshold value B (Ps) in FIG. can be determined from the measured value of
• the detailed configuration of the controller 50 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compression device according to the third embodiment.
• the operation shown in FIG. 7 may be performed, for example, by the arithmetic circuit of the controller 50 reading a control program from the storage circuit of the controller 50. However, it is not necessarily essential that this operation be performed by the controller 50. The operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 50 will be described.
• step S11 When the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped in step S11 (“YES” in step S11), the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected as described below when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped.
• step S12 and step S13 are the same as step S2 and step S3 in FIG. 3, respectively, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• step S14 after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA, the pressure P of the cathode CA is derived using the pressure gauge 9.
• step S15 it is determined whether the pressure P in step S14 is less than or equal to the threshold value B (Ps).
• step S15 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 8, if the pressure P in step S14 is equal to or lower than the threshold value B (Ps) ("YES" in step S15), in step S16, there is damage to the electrolyte membrane 11. Then it is determined.
• Ps threshold value B
• step S15 if the pressure P in step S14 is not less than the threshold value B (Ps) ("NO" in step S15), it is determined in step S17 that there is no damage to the electrolyte membrane 11.
• the above inspection of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is an example, and is not limited to this example.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped, but such an inspection may be conducted when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is started.
• the compression device 100 of the present embodiment can set the threshold value B (Ps) based on the comparison between the cathode pressure P after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA and the threshold value B (Ps). Therefore, abnormality in the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A can be appropriately determined.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment is the same as any one of the first embodiment, the first example to the second example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modification of the second embodiment, except for the above-mentioned characteristics. It may be similar to the compression device 100.
• the compression device 100 of this modification is the same as the compression device 100 of the third embodiment except for the control details of the controller 50 described below.
• the controller 50 determines that there is an abnormality if the rate of pressure drop in the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA is equal to or higher than the threshold value C. That is, the "threshold C" corresponds to an example of the "fourth threshold” of the present disclosure.
• the "rate of pressure drop in cathode CA” can be expressed, for example, as the rate of drop in pressure (P) in cathode CA per unit time ( ⁇ t) after supplying test gas to cathode CA ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t). I can do it. Therefore, in this modification, a case will be described in which "the rate of pressure drop in the cathode CA" is expressed by the amount of change ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t).
• the threshold value C ( ⁇ Ps/ ⁇ t) in FIG. 8 is a reference value appropriately set in order to know whether or not the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged. It can be determined from a total of nine measured values.
• the detailed configuration of the controller 50 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the compression device of the first modification of the third embodiment.
• the operation shown in FIG. 9 may be performed, for example, by the arithmetic circuit of the controller 50 reading a control program from the storage circuit of the controller 50. However, it is not necessarily essential that this operation be performed by the controller 50. The operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 50 will be described.
• step S21 When the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped in step S21 (“YES” in step S21), the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected as described below when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped.
• step S22 and step S23 are the same as step S2 and step S3 in FIG. 3, respectively, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• step S24 after the test gas is supplied to the cathode CA, the pressure drop rate ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t) of the cathode CA is derived using the pressure gauge 9.
• step S25 it is determined whether the speed of pressure drop ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t) in step S24 is greater than or equal to the threshold value C ( ⁇ Ps/ ⁇ t).
• step S25 as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
• step S26 it is determined that the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged.
• step S25 if the speed of pressure drop ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t) in step S24 is not equal to or higher than the threshold value C ( ⁇ Ps/ ⁇ t) (“NO” in step S25), in step S27, damage to the electrolyte membrane 11 exists. It is determined that it does not.
• the above inspection of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is an example, and is not limited to this example.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped, but such an inspection may be conducted when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is started.
• the rate of pressure drop in the cathode CA after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t) in an abnormal situation when the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged is equal to the pressure in the cathode CA in a normal state when the electrolyte membrane 11 is not damaged. It tends to be larger than the rate of decline ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t). Therefore, by setting the threshold value C ( ⁇ Ps/ ⁇ t) to a desired value, the compression device 100 of the present embodiment can control the rate of pressure drop ( ⁇ P/ ⁇ t) at the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA. Based on the comparison with the threshold value C ( ⁇ Ps/ ⁇ t), it is possible to appropriately determine whether the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is abnormal.
• the compression device 100 of the present embodiment has the following features except for the above characteristics: the first embodiment, the first example-second example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the modification of the second embodiment, and the third example. It may be similar to the compression device 100 in any of the configurations.
• the compression device 100 of this modification is the same as the compression device 100 of the third embodiment except for the control details of the controller 50 described below.
• the controller 50 determines that there is an abnormality if the pressure drop in the cathode CA after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA is equal to or greater than the threshold value D. That is, the "threshold D" corresponds to an example of the "third threshold” of the present disclosure.
• the "pressure drop in the cathode CA” can be expressed, for example, by the difference ( ⁇ P) in the pressure (P) of the cathode CA at a predetermined time ( ⁇ t) after the completion of supplying the test gas to the cathode CA. Therefore, in this modification, a case where the "pressure drop in the cathode CA" is expressed by the amount of change ( ⁇ P) will be described.
• the threshold value D ( ⁇ Ps) in FIG. 8 is a reference value that is appropriately set in order to know whether or not the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged. can be determined from the measured value of
• the detailed configuration of the controller 50 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the compression device of the second modification of the third embodiment.
• the operation shown in FIG. 10 may be performed, for example, by the arithmetic circuit of the controller 50 reading a control program from the storage circuit of the controller 50. However, it is not necessarily essential that this operation be performed by the controller 50. The operator may perform some of the operations. In the following example, a case where the operation is controlled by the controller 50 will be described.
• step S31 When the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped in step S31 (“YES” in step S31), the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected as described below when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped.
• step S32 and step S33 are the same as step S2 and step S3 in FIG. 3, respectively, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• step S40 it is determined whether a predetermined time ( ⁇ t) has elapsed.
• step S40 if the predetermined time ( ⁇ t) has not elapsed (“No” in step S40), the operation of step S40 is re-executed.
• step S40 if the predetermined time ( ⁇ t) has elapsed (“Yes” in step S40), the process proceeds to the next step, and in step S34, using the pressure gauge 9,
• the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) of the cathode CA over a predetermined time ( ⁇ t) is derived. Specifically, the pressure drop value ( ⁇ P).
• step S35 it is determined whether the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) in step S34 is greater than or equal to the threshold D ( ⁇ Ps).
• step S35 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. It is determined that corruption exists.
• step S35 if the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) in step S34 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value D ( ⁇ Ps) (“NO” in step S35), it is determined in step S37 that there is no damage to the electrolyte membrane 11.
• the above inspection of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is an example, and is not limited to this example.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is stopped, but such an inspection may be conducted when the compression operation of the compression device 100 is started.
• the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) at the cathode CA after supplying test gas to the cathode CA during an abnormality when the electrolyte membrane 11 is damaged is equal to the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) at the cathode CA during normal times when the electrolyte membrane 11 is not damaged. It tends to get bigger compared to Therefore, the compression device 100 of the present embodiment sets the threshold D ( ⁇ Ps) to a desired value, thereby adjusting the difference between the pressure drop ( ⁇ P) of the cathode after supplying the test gas to the cathode CA and the threshold D ( ⁇ Ps). Based on the comparison, abnormalities in the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A can be appropriately determined.
• the compression device 100 of the present embodiment has the following features except for the above characteristics: the first embodiment, the first example-second example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the modification of the second embodiment, and the third example. It may be the same as the compression device 100 in any one of the configurations and the first modification of the third embodiment.
• the compression device 100 of this embodiment is the same as the compression device 100 of the first embodiment except for the method of manufacturing the electrochemical cell 1B described below.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the method for manufacturing the compression device of the fourth embodiment.
• the electrochemical hydrogen pump 1A is inspected as follows in the manufacturing process before the compression device 100 is shipped from the factory.
• an electrolyte membrane 11, an electrochemical cell 1B having an anode AN on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 11, and a cathode CA on the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane 11 are stacked to form a laminate.
• the laminate often includes about 10 to 200 electrochemical cells 1B.
• a test gas is supplied to the cathode CA, and an abnormality is determined based on the gas flow rate at the outlet of the anode AN or the pressure of the cathode CA after the test gas is supplied.
• the controller for determining abnormality in the laminate is an external device provided outside the compression device 100. However, this controller may be built into the compression device 100. The detailed configuration of the controller and the inspection of the electrochemical hydrogen pump executed by this controller are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.
• the method for manufacturing the compression device 100 of the present embodiment includes the first embodiment, the first example-second example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, a modification of the second embodiment, except for the above-mentioned characteristics. It may be the same as the third embodiment and any one of the first modification example and the second modification example of the third embodiment.
• first embodiment the first example of the first embodiment - the second example, the second embodiment, a modification of the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the first modification of the third embodiment -
• the second modification and the fourth embodiment may be combined with each other as long as they do not exclude each other.
• One aspect of the present disclosure can be used in a compression device, a method for operating a compressor, and a method for manufacturing a compressor, in which abnormalities in a compressor can be determined more appropriately than in the past.
• Compressor 1A Electrochemical hydrogen pump 1B: Electrochemical cell 5: Test gas supply path 5A: Test gas supply path 5B: Second valve 6: Anode discharge path 7: Hydrogen-containing gas supply device 8: Anode supply path 8A : Anode supply path 8B : First valve 9 : Pressure gauge 11 : Electrolyte membrane 22 : Anode catalyst layer 23 : Cathode catalyst layer 24 : Anode gas diffusion layer 25 : Cathode gas diffusion layer 50 : Controller 100 : Compressor A : Threshold AN: Anode B: Threshold BR: Branch point C: Threshold CA: Cathode D: Threshold L: Gas flow rate P: Pressure

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