JP2003303608A - Fuel cell power generation system and control method for fuel cell power generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] In a conventional fuel cell power generation system, it is necessary to prepare a large-sized nitrogen cylinder and periodically exchange / refill it for the nitrogen purge operation at every operation stop. Cost and running costs are incurred. SOLUTION: A reformer 51 for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, a raw material gas supply means 54 for supplying the raw material to the reformer 51, and a reformer for accelerating the reforming reaction. Burner 52 for adjusting the temperature of the porcelain
Air supply means 55 for supplying air to the reformer 51;
A temperature sensor 51 for detecting the temperature of the reformer 51, a fuel cell 56 for generating electric power using the hydrogen-rich gas, and a reformer 51, a raw material gas supply means 54, and an air supply means based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51. , Burner 52 and control means 512 for controlling the operation of the fuel cell 56.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fuel cell power generation system for reacting a hydrogen-rich gas generated from a raw material gas with an oxidant gas to generate electric power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional fuel cell power generation system has a configuration as shown in FIG. 7 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
That is, a reformer 41 that generates hydrogen-rich gas from a raw material gas, a burner 42 that heats the reformer 41, and a nitrogen facility 46 that is connected upstream of the reformer 41 via a nitrogen supply pipe 44 and a shutoff valve 45. A fuel cell 43 connected downstream of the reformer 41 via a reformed gas supply pipe 47 to generate oxygen by reacting oxygen in the air with generated hydrogen. The downstream side was connected to the burner 42 via an exhaust hydrogen connecting pipe 48.

In a general fuel cell power generation system, when the operation is stopped, the supply of the raw material gas is first stopped. At this time, the reformer 41 to the reformed gas supply pipe 47 to the fuel electrode 43a of the fuel cell 43 to the drainage. The hydrogen-rich gas is retained in the path of the element connecting pipe 48, and when air flows into the hydrogen-rich gas path from the burner 42 opened to the atmosphere by natural convection, there is a fear that hydrogen will undergo a vigorous oxidation reaction.

Therefore, like this conventional fuel cell power generation system, the shutoff valve 45 is opened when the operation is stopped, and the nitrogen equipment 4
Nitrogen as an inert gas is supplied from 6 through the nitrogen supply pipe 44 to the path of the reformer 41 to the reformed gas supply pipe 47 to the fuel electrode 43a of the fuel cell 43 to the exhaust hydrogen connecting pipe 48 to supply the hydrogen rich gas. All were discharged and burned by the burner 42.

As described above, in the conventional fuel cell power generation system, the purging operation using nitrogen is performed every time the operation is stopped to prevent direct reaction between hydrogen and air.
The safety was secured.

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-3-257762

[0007]

In the conventional fuel cell power generation system, it is necessary to provide a nitrogen facility 46 such as a large-sized nitrogen cylinder for the nitrogen purging operation at every operation stop. When used as a power source for electric power generation or electric vehicles, there is a problem that a large space is required and the initial cost of the device is high. Also,
There is a problem that it is necessary to replace and replenish the nitrogen cylinders regularly, and running costs are high.

In consideration of the above conventional problems, the present invention does not use an inert gas such as nitrogen and sufficiently secures the residual hydrogen-rich gas, and also reduces the installation space to reduce the initial cost and running cost. An object is to provide a reduced fuel cell power generation system and the like.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is a reformer (51) for generating a hydrogen rich gas by reforming a raw material, and the reformer. A raw material supply means (54) for supplying the raw material to
Temperature adjusting means (52, 53, 510) for adjusting the temperature of the reformer for promoting the reforming reaction, first air supplying means (55) for supplying air to the reformer, and Temperature detecting means (511) for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell (56) for generating power by the hydrogen-rich gas.
And a control means (512) for controlling the operations of the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature adjusting means and the fuel cell based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. When the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, the control means controls the temperature of the reformer to be equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature while at least the raw material supply means continues supplying the raw material for a predetermined time. Is performed, and then control is performed so that air is supplied from the first air supply means to the reformer and the fuel cell.

The second aspect of the present invention is a reformer (5) for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material.
1), a raw material supply means (54) for supplying the raw material to the reformer, and a temperature control means (52, 53, 510) for controlling the temperature of the reformer to promote the reforming reaction.
A first air supply means (55) for supplying air to the reformer, a temperature detection means (511) for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell (56) for generating power by the hydrogen-rich gas. ) And a control means for controlling the operations of the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature adjusting means, and the fuel cell based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. , The control means (51
In 2), before the operation of the fuel cell is started, control is performed such that the raw material is supplied from the raw material supply means for a predetermined time while the temperature of the reformer is at a predetermined temperature, and then the modification is performed. The fuel cell power generation system is configured to control the temperature of the pesticide to be higher than the predetermined temperature and to start the operation of the fuel cell.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the temperature adjusting means has a burner (52) and a second air supplying means (53) for supplying combustion air to the burner, and the control is provided. The means is the fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which controls the temperature to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by making the air supply amount of the second air supply means to the burner excessive. .

The fourth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell power generation system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in which the burner burns with exhaust gas from the fuel cell or the reformer.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which is equipped with a second burner (62) that burns with the exhaust gas from the fuel cell or the reformer. Is.

Further, in a sixth aspect of the present invention, the temperature adjusting means is steam supply means (5) for supplying steam to the reformer.
10), wherein the reformer performs the reforming reaction by steam reforming, and the control means controls the steam supply amount of the steam supply means to the reformer to be excessive. The fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention controls the temperature of the reformer to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is a carbon monoxide removing device for removing carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas generated by the reformer, which is provided between the reformer and the fuel cell. Device (531) and a flow path blocking means (532, for blocking the flow path between the carbon monoxide remover and the fuel cell).
533), and the control means increases the temperature of the reformer at a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature at the start of operation of the fuel cell, and then the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas removes the carbon monoxide. Until the hydrogen rich gas output from the carbon monoxide remover is not introduced into the fuel cell until it is sufficiently removed by the reactor.
It is the fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, in which the flow path blocking means controls the flow path to be blocked.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means is
While performing control to supply the raw material in advance into the fuel cell before the system starts operation, after the raw material is sealed in the fuel cell, by the flow path blocking means,
It is a fuel cell power generation system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, which controls the shutoff.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the raw material supply means and the first air supply means share the same supply path (521, 521a, 522) connected to the reformer. The supply passage is switched so that the raw material is supplied to the reformer when used as the raw material supply means, and the air is reformed when used as the first air supply means. 2 is a fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which is switched so as to be supplied to a reactor.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is desulfurization means (542) provided between the raw material supply means and the reformer.
Is a fuel cell power generation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, and a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer.
Temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the reformer to promote the reforming reaction, first air supply means for supplying air to the reformer, and temperature detection for detecting the temperature of the reformer. A method of controlling a fuel cell power generation system comprising means and a fuel cell for generating power with the hydrogen-rich gas, the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. No. 1 air supply means, the temperature control means, and a control step of controlling the operation of the fuel cell, wherein the control step is such that at least the raw material supply means supplies the raw material when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped. Is continued for a predetermined time, the temperature of the reformer is controlled to be a predetermined temperature or less, and then the first
Is a method for controlling a fuel cell power generation system, in which air is supplied from the air supply means to the reformer and the fuel cell.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, and a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer.
Temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the reformer to promote the reforming reaction, first air supply means for supplying air to the reformer, and temperature detection for detecting the temperature of the reformer. A method of controlling a fuel cell power generation system comprising means and a fuel cell for generating power with the hydrogen-rich gas, the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. No. 1 air supply unit, the temperature adjusting unit, and a control process for controlling the operation of the fuel cell. In the control process, the temperature of the reformer is kept at a predetermined temperature before the operation of the fuel cell is started. In this state, control is performed so that the raw material is supplied from the raw material supply means for a predetermined time, and thereafter, the temperature of the reformer is raised to be higher than the predetermined temperature and the operation of starting the fuel cell is controlled. A method of controlling cell power generation system.

In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the temperature adjusting means of the fuel power generation system has a burner and a second air supply means for supplying combustion air to the burner.
In the control step, the temperature of the reformer is controlled to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by making the amount of air supplied to the burner of the second air supply unit excessive. It is a control method of the fuel cell power generation system of the present invention.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the fuel power generation system further comprises steam supply means for supplying steam to the reformer, and the reformer performs the reforming reaction by steam reforming. In the control step, the temperature of the reformer is controlled to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by increasing the amount of steam supplied to the reformer by the steam supply means. 12 is a control method of the fuel cell power generation system according to the present invention.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means of the fuel cell power generation system of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first air are used. It is a program for causing a computer to function as a control unit that controls the operations of the supply unit, the temperature adjusting unit, and the fuel cell.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention is based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means of the fuel cell power generation system of the second aspect of the invention, and is based on the temperature of the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first air. It is a program for causing a computer to function as a control unit that controls the operations of the supply unit, the temperature adjusting unit, and the fuel cell.

The seventeenth invention is a recording medium carrying the program of the fifteenth or sixteenth invention, which can be processed by a computer.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the reformer 51 is equipped with a burner 52, which is a means for generating hydrogen-rich gas from a raw material gas by a reforming reaction, and a burner blower 53 that supplies combustion air to the burner 52, and is provided on the upstream side. Is provided with a source gas supply means 54 and an air supply means 55.
The fuel cell 56 is a means provided on the downstream side of the reformer 51, and includes a fuel electrode 56a and an oxygen electrode 56b,
Hydrogen rich gas generated from the reformer 51 is supplied to the fuel electrode 56a, and air serving as an oxidant gas is supplied to the oxygen electrode 56b from the blower unit 57 to react the hydrogen rich gas with air to generate electricity. Is. The discharge route 58 is
The means connected to the downstream side of the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 is connected to the fuel supply path 59 of the burner 52.

The reforming reaction in the present embodiment uses a steam reforming system as an example, and a steam generator 510 is connected to the reformer 51. In addition, the temperature sensor 51
1 is a means for detecting the temperature in the reformer 51. Further, the control unit 512 is a unit that controls the operations of the reformer 51, the burner 52, the burner blower 53, the raw material gas supply unit 54, the blower 57, and the steam generator 510 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 511. .

A carbon monoxide remover may be provided between the reformer 51 and the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the power generation operation is performed, the raw material gas supply means 54 supplies a raw material gas such as hydrocarbon to the reformer 51 by the control of the control means 512, and the burner 52 heats the raw material gas to generate a hydrogen-rich gas by the reforming reaction to generate a fuel. It is supplied to the fuel electrode 56a of the battery 56. On the other hand, the oxygen electrode 56b of the fuel cell 56 is supplied with air as an oxidant gas from the blower unit 57. In the fuel cell 56, hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode 56a reacts with oxygen in the air supplied to the oxygen electrode 56b to generate electricity. Most of the hydrogen is consumed in the reaction at the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56, but the hydrogen off-gas not used in the reaction is supplied to the burner 52 through the discharge path 58 and the fuel supply path 59, and the hydrogen of the reformer 51 is discharged. Used as heating fuel. In addition, instead of raw material gas,
Alcohol, LPG, and hydrocarbon compounds of liquid fuel may be used. That is, the raw material may be in the liquid form regardless of the gas form, and this is the same in each of the following embodiments.

Next, the operation for stopping the operation of the fuel cell 56 will be described. First, under the control of the control means 512, the temperature of the reformer 51 is lowered while continuing the supply of the raw material gas from the raw material gas supply means 54 so that the hydrogen-rich gas is not generated by the reforming reaction or is exposed to the air. The amount of the hydrogen-rich gas having such a concentration that does not react is controlled to be equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature at which it is generated, and the state is maintained. At this time, in order to prevent the unreacted raw material gas from being carbonized and remaining as a carbide, it is desirable to continue supplying the steam from the steam generator 510. However, the supply of steam may be stopped as long as the raw material gas is not carbonized.

Although the predetermined temperature depends on the structure of the reformer 51, if the predetermined temperature is about 300 degrees, the hydrogen-rich gas generated can be suppressed and sufficient safety can be ensured. Further, the amount of hydrogen-rich gas having a concentration that does not react even when exposed to air means the amount of hydrogen-rich gas in the gas in the reformer 51.
It is expressed as a ratio of the generated hydrogen-rich gas, that is, (amount of hydrogen-rich gas / (amount of supplied raw material gas + amount of hydrogen-rich gas)), which is a value of about 0 to 4%.

At this time, the raw material gas supplied from the raw material gas supply means 54 is not converted into the hydrogen-rich gas in the reformer 51, and the reformer 51, the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56, and the discharge path remain as the raw material gas. 58, fuel supply path 59, burner 5
Flowing in the order of 2, the accumulated hydrogen-rich gas is discharged and the inside of the passage is replaced with the raw material gas. In the burner 52, the hydrogen-rich gas extruded into the raw material gas is burned and consumed. Then, when the raw material gas is discharged, the raw material gas is burned and consumed.

Next, after starting the supply of the raw material gas,
After a predetermined time has elapsed, the supply of the raw material gas is stopped. Next, the purging air supplied from the air supply means 55 is similarly made to flow in the order of the reformer 51, the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56, the discharge path 58, the fuel supply path 59, and the burner 52,
The burner 52 burns out all the raw material gas remaining in each part and the passage and discharges it, and the air in each part and the passage is replaced.

Here, the above-mentioned predetermined time from the start of the supply of the raw material gas to the stop thereof is at least the supply of the raw material gas when the purge air is introduced into the reformer 51 and other parts and paths. As a result, a layer of the raw material gas is formed between the hydrogen-rich gas remaining in each part and the passage and the purging air, and the time required to create a state in which the raw material gas and the purging air are not mixed Means For example,
A sufficient time is sufficient to replace the interior of the reformer 51 with the raw material gas, but further, the fuel cell 56 and the fuel supply path 5 are required.
It is preferable that 9 or the like can be replaced, because more complete replacement can be performed.

The reason why the hydrogen-rich gas is not directly discharged by the air is that a mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen having a concentration capable of reacting at the interface between the hydrogen-rich gas and the air is generated, and the reformer 5
This is because there is a possibility of violent oxidation reaction in a high temperature atmosphere when passing through 1.

Finally, when it is confirmed that the raw material gas is completely replaced with air, the burner 52 and the burner blower 53
To stop the operation of the whole system.

The time at which it can be determined that the hydrogen-rich gas in each part of the reformer 51 and the passage and the passage is replaced with the raw material gas as described above is the flow rate and flow velocity of the hydrogen-rich gas and the raw material gas in the passage in advance. It may be a value determined by measuring etc. and calculating based on this, or measuring the concentration of hydrogen-rich gas in the route using a separate concentration meter etc. May be

Next, as a first method of lowering the temperature of the reformer 51 to the above-mentioned predetermined temperature, the flow rate of the supply air of the burner blower 53 for supplying the combustion air to the burner 52 is made excessive and the reformer 51 is supplied. There is a method of lowering the heating temperature of. At this time, the air flow rate to be supplied is determined as follows. The equivalence ratio λ = A / F between the amount F of fuel (raw material gas, hydrogen-rich gas, etc.) when the burner 52 burns and the supplied air flow rate A is set to λ = 3 or more. The value of λ when the burner 52 is completely burning is λ = 1.

A second method of lowering the temperature of the reformer 51 to the above-mentioned predetermined temperature corresponds to the steam supply means of the present invention for supplying steam to the reformer 1 in the steam reforming system. There is a method of supplying excessive water to the steam generator 510 to cool the reformer 51.

As another method of lowering the temperature of the reformer 51, a method of simply reducing the flow rate of the raw material gas in order to reduce the heating amount of the burner 52 is conceivable.
At this time, the flow rate of the object to be heated in the reformer 51 also decreases, and as a result, the temperature of the reformer 1 may not decrease so much, which is not necessarily effective.

Further, even when the states of the reformer 51, the fuel cell 56, and the inside of the passage are unknown at the start of the operation (for example, when it is unknown what kind of gas is retained), the operation is stopped. It is desirable to perform the purging by using the raw material gas as in the case of the above. In this case, the source gas supply means 54
By the control of the control unit 512, the temperature of the reformer 51 is adjusted to a hydrogen-rich gas concentration of such a level that hydrogen-rich gas is not generated by the reforming reaction or does not react even when exposed to air before starting the supply of the raw material gas. Is maintained at a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, at which the raw material gas is supplied to the reformer 51.

Next, each part of the reformer 51 and the fuel cell 56,
After a lapse of a predetermined time period in which it can be determined that the path has been replaced by the raw material gas, it is possible to safely raise the temperature of the reformer 51 to a temperature at which the reforming reaction occurs, as in the case of the normal startup described above. Operation can be started. In addition,
The predetermined period of time during which it can be determined that the source gas has been replaced in each part and the route may be set in the same manner as when stopped.

Further, the present embodiment may have a configuration shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the three-way valve 61 is provided in a part of the discharge path 58, and the second burner 62 is further provided at the branch destination of the three-way valve 61. As a result, the hydrogen off gas discharged from the fuel cell 56 is supplied to the second burner 6
Since the combustion can be performed at 2, the burner 52 can be stopped and the reformer 51 can be quickly cooled to the predetermined temperature. At this time, instead of the second burner 62, the hydrogen off gas may be discarded to the outside.
In addition, the second burner 62 includes the reformer 51 and the fuel cell 56.
It may be provided between and.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the operation of the fuel cell 56 is stopped, the hydrogen-rich gas is safely discharged by the raw material gas and the air, thereby providing the nitrogen equipment such as the large-sized nitrogen cylinder. There is no need to reduce the initial cost, and the installation space is reduced even when used for home stationary distributed power generation or electric vehicle power sources.
In addition, it is possible to reduce the running cost without having to regularly replace and replenish the nitrogen cylinder.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Gas supply means 521
Is a means that also serves as the raw material gas supply means 54 and the air supply means 55. Under the control of the control means 512, when used as the raw material gas supply means 54, the switching device 522 of the inlet portion 521a is switched to the raw material gas path 54a, Supply means 5
5 is used as the air intake path 5
5a.

By using the gas supply means 521, the flow path of the raw material gas supply means 54 and the flow path of the air supply means 55 can be used in common to further reduce the manufacturing cost of the fuel cell power generation system. .

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Carbon monoxide remover 5
31 is a means for removing carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas generated in the reformer 51, and is provided between the reformer 51 and the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56. The carbon monoxide remover 531 generally removes carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-rich gas by utilizing a shift reaction or a selective oxidation reaction, and the catalyst of the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 can remove carbon monoxide from the carbon monoxide. It serves to prevent the poisoning of the body. The bypass path 532 is used for the carbon monoxide remover 53.
1 and the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 are branched via a switching means 533, joined to the discharge path 58 of the fuel cell 56, and connected to the fuel supply path 59 of the burner 52. .

Next, the operation of the third embodiment when starting the operation of the fuel cell 56 will be described.
First, the raw material gas is supplied from the raw material gas supply means 54 to the reformer 5.
1, carbon monoxide remover 531 and fuel electrode 5 of fuel cell 56
6a, an exhaust path 58, a fuel supply path 59, and a burner 52 in this order, and burned in the burner 52 while maintaining a temperature at which hydrogen-rich gas is not generated by the reforming reaction for a predetermined time.
Next, the path is switched from the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 to the bypass path 532 by the switching means 533, and the temperature of the reformer 1 is raised to a temperature at which hydrogen-rich gas is generated by the reforming reaction, and then included in the hydrogen-rich gas. When carbon monoxide is sufficiently removed by the carbon monoxide remover 531, the switching means 533 again switches the path from the bypass path 532 to the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56.
The fuel cell 56 is started to generate electricity. The hydrogen-rich gas in which carbon monoxide has not been sufficiently removed is supplied to the burner 52 via the bypass path 532.
It is used to burn the burner 52.

First, the raw material gas is supplied to the fuel cell 56.
Even if the temperature of the reformer 1 rises and the reforming reaction occurs after the purging of the remaining air flowing to the fuel electrode 56a of No. 1 is completed, the bypass path 532 is once switched to for the following reason. That is, even if the reformer 51 reaches a temperature at which hydrogen-rich gas is generated, if the carbon monoxide remover 531 located downstream of the reformer 51 does not reach the reaction temperature sufficiently, the hydrogen output from the carbon monoxide remover 531 is output. Since the rich gas contains a large amount of carbon monoxide, when the hydrogen rich gas is input to the fuel cell 56, the catalyst of the fuel electrode 56a is poisoned. Therefore, carbon monoxide remover 531
The hydrogen-rich gas is fed into the bypass path 532 until the temperature reaches the reaction temperature sufficiently to prevent the hydrogen-rich gas from being input to the fuel cell 56 and prevent the catalyst of the fuel electrode 56a from being poisoned.

Through the above series of operation starting operations, the hydrogen-rich gas supplied into the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 for the first time does not come into contact with the air, so that the operation can be started safely. .

As described above, since it is not necessary to use an inert gas such as nitrogen when starting the operation of the fuel cell 56, the installation space can be reduced and the initial cost and running cost can be reduced. .

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same parts as those in Embodiments 1 and 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Stop valve 5
41 is a means provided in the discharge path 58 of the fuel cell 56.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. First, before starting the operation of the fuel cell 56, the raw material gas is sealed in advance in the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 between the switching means 533 and the shutoff valve 541. When starting the operation of the fuel cell 56, first, the source gas is supplied from the source gas supply means 54 in the order of the reformer 51, the carbon monoxide remover 531, the bypass path 532, the fuel supply path 59, and the burner 52. The temperature of the reformer 51 is raised to a temperature at which hydrogen-rich gas is generated by the reforming reaction, and thereafter,
When the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas is sufficiently removed by the carbon monoxide remover 531, the stop valve 541 is opened and the switching means 33 switches the path from the bypass path 532 to the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56. This is for switching and starting the power generation of the fuel cell 56.

By the series of operation starting operations described above, the hydrogen-rich gas supplied into the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 for the first time does not come into contact with the air, so that the operation can be started safely.

Before starting the operation of the fuel cell 56, as a means for preliminarily filling the raw material gas in the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 between the switching means 533 and the shutoff valve 541,
When the method described in the first embodiment is performed as the previous operation stop method, when the raw material gas finally passes through the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56, the switching unit 533 is set to the reformer 51.
And the fuel cell 56 are switched to communicate with each other, and after the raw material gas is filled in the fuel cell 56, the stop valve 541 is closed and the raw material gas is sealed in the fuel electrode 56 a of the fuel cell 56. It can be easily realized.

As described above, since it is not necessary to use an inert gas such as nitrogen when starting the operation of the fuel cell 56, the installation space can be reduced and the initial cost and running cost can be reduced.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Regarding the same as in the first to fourth embodiments,
The same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. Reference numeral 542 is a desulfurization device provided in the source gas supply means 54. The desulfurizer 542 removes sulfur components such as odorants contained in the raw material gas, and the reformer 51, the carbon monoxide remover 531 and the catalyst of the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56 react with sulfur components. It serves to prevent the poisoning of the body. The desulfurization device 542 is effective even if it is provided in any of the raw material gas supply means 54 of the first to fourth embodiments.

In the operation stop and operation start methods of Embodiments 1 to 4, since the raw material gas is directly supplied to the carbon monoxide remover 531 and the fuel electrode 56a of the fuel cell 56, an odorant or the like is contained in the raw material gas. When the sulfur component is included, the desulfurization device 542 of the present embodiment can prevent the catalyst from being poisoned and maintain the performance.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the raw material gas supply means 54 is an example of the raw material supply means of the present invention, and the burner 52 is an example of the temperature adjusting means of the present invention.
The burner blower 53 is a part of the second air supply unit of the present invention, and the air supply unit 55 is an example of the first air supply unit of the present invention. The temperature sensor 511 corresponds to the temperature detecting means of the present invention.

Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the gas supply means 521, the switching device 522 and the inlet portion 521.
a is an example of the supply path of the present invention.

Further, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the switching means 533 and the bypass path 532 are examples of the flow path blocking means of the present invention. However, the structure of the flow path blocking means of the present invention is not limited to this, and the bypass path 5
By omitting 32, by switching the switching means 533, the hydrogen-rich gas in which carbon monoxide is not sufficiently removed may be released to the outside or may be temporarily accumulated.
In short, the hydrogen-rich gas output from the carbon monoxide remover 531 is prevented from being introduced into the fuel cell 56 until the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas is sufficiently removed by the carbon monoxide remover 531. It suffices that the flow path of the hydrogen-rich gas between the carbon monoxide remover and the fuel cell can be blocked.

In each of the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the configuration and operation of the fuel cell power generation system has been described as an example of the present invention, but the present invention is a method of controlling the fuel cell power generation system. , Reformer 51, fuel gas supply means 54, air supply means 55, steam generator 510,
It may be realized as a method for realizing operation control of each unit of the burner 52, the burner blower 53, and the temperature sensor 511.
When the reformer 51 is of a type that does not perform steam reforming, the steam generator 510 may be realized by omitting it.

The temperature adjusting means of the present invention is the burner 5
Although the burner fan 53 and the steam generator 510 have been described above, the temperature adjusting means may be realized by an electric heater, a cooler, or the like. In this case, discharge route 5
8 etc., fuel cell 56 or carbon monoxide remover 531
Therefore, it becomes possible to omit the exhaust gas supply path for heating the reformer.

The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of all or part of the above-mentioned fuel cell power generation system of the present invention (or devices, elements, circuits, sections, etc.). And
It may be a program that operates in cooperation with a computer.

Further, the present invention is a medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the functions of all or part of the above-mentioned fuel cell power generation system of the present invention, and is read by the computer. It may be a medium that allows the read program to execute the function in cooperation with the computer.

The "partial means (or device, element, circuit, section, etc.)" of the present invention and the "partial step (or process, operation, action, etc.)" of the present invention mean It means some of the plurality of means or steps, or some of the functions or some of the operations of one means or steps.

Further, some devices (or elements, circuits, parts, etc.) of the present invention mean some devices out of the plurality of devices, or one device. , Means a part of means (or an element, a circuit, a part, etc.) or means a part of the function of one means.

A computer-readable recording medium in which the program of the present invention is recorded is also included in the present invention.

Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be a mode in which the program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be a mode in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer.

Further, the recording medium includes a ROM and the like, and the transmission medium includes a transmission mechanism such as the Internet.
Light, radio waves, sound waves, etc. are included.

The computer of the present invention described above is
The hardware is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, and may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

[0075]

The present invention has the effect of reducing the initial cost and running cost in a fuel cell power generation system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another system configuration diagram of the fuel cell power generation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional fuel cell power generation system.

[Explanation of symbols]

51 reformer 52 burners 53 burner blower 54 Source Gas Supply Means 54a Source gas path 55 Air supply means 55a Air intake path 56 fuel cell 58 Discharge route 61 three-way valve 62 Second burner 510 steam generator 511 Temperature sensor 512 control means 521 Gas supply means 521a entrance 522 switching device 531 carbon monoxide remover 532 Bypass route 533 switching means 541 Stop valve 542 Desulfurization equipment

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinji Miyauchi             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5H027 AA02 BA01 BA09 BA16 KK42                       MM01

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer, and the reformer for promoting the reforming reaction. Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the reformer, first air supplying means for supplying air to the reformer, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell for generating electricity by the hydrogen-rich gas. And a control means for controlling the operations of the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature adjusting means, and the fuel cell based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, When stopping the operation of the fuel cell, the control means controls the temperature of the reformer to be equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature while at least the raw material supply means continues supplying the raw material for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the first fuel cell power generation system that performs control so as to supply air from the air supply means to the reformer and the fuel cell. 2. A reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer, and the reformer for promoting the reforming reaction. Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the reformer, first air supplying means for supplying air to the reformer, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell for generating electricity by the hydrogen-rich gas. And a control means for controlling the operations of the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature adjusting means, and the fuel cell based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, The control means performs control such that the raw material is supplied from the raw material supply means for a predetermined time in a state where the temperature of the reformer is a predetermined temperature before the operation of the fuel cell is started, and then, Reforming With a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, the fuel cell power generation system performs control to start the operation of the fuel cell. 3. The temperature adjusting means includes a burner and a second air supply means for supplying combustion air to the burner, and the control means includes the burner of the second air supply means. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein control is performed so that the temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by excessively supplying air to the fuel cell power generation system. 4. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 3, wherein the burner burns with exhaust gas from the fuel cell or the reformer. 5. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a second burner that burns with exhaust gas from the fuel cell or the reformer. 6. The temperature adjusting means has a steam supply means for supplying steam to the reformer, the reformer performing the reforming reaction by steam reforming, and the control means. The fuel cell power generation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature of the reformer is controlled to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by making the amount of steam supplied to the reformer of the steam supply means excessive. system. 7. A carbon monoxide remover provided between the reformer and the fuel cell for removing carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas generated by the reformer, and the carbon monoxide. The control means further comprises a flow path blocking means for blocking a flow path between the remover and the fuel cell, wherein the control means makes the temperature of the reformer higher than the predetermined temperature when the operation of the fuel cell is started. After that, until the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas is sufficiently removed by the carbon monoxide remover, the hydrogen-rich gas output from the carbon monoxide remover is not introduced into the fuel cell. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: controlling the flow path to be blocked by the flow path blocking means. 8. The control means controls the supply of the raw material into the fuel cell in advance before the system starts operating, and after the raw material is sealed in the fuel cell, the flow path is controlled. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 7, wherein the shutoff means controls the shutoff. 9. The raw material supply means and the first air supply means share the same supply path connected to the reformer, and the supply path is used as the raw material supply means. The case is switched so that the raw material is supplied to the reformer, and the case where the raw material is used as the first air supply means is switched so that the air is supplied to the reformer. The fuel cell power generation system described in 1. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising desulfurization means provided between the raw material supply means and the reformer.
The fuel cell power generation system described in 1. 11. A reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer, and the reformer for promoting the reforming reaction. Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the reformer, first air supplying means for supplying air to the reformer, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell for generating electricity by the hydrogen-rich gas. A method of controlling a fuel cell power generation system, comprising: the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature control means, and the temperature control means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. A control step of controlling the operation of the fuel cell, wherein the control step, when stopping the operation of the fuel cell, at least while the raw material supply means continues the supply of the raw material for a predetermined time, the reforming Temperature performs control so as to be below a predetermined temperature, then the control method of the fuel cell power generation system that performs control so as to supply air from said first air supply means to said reformer and said fuel cell. 12. A reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas by reforming a raw material, a raw material supply means for supplying the raw material to the reformer, and the reformer for promoting the reforming reaction. Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the reformer, first air supplying means for supplying air to the reformer, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the reformer, and a fuel cell for generating electricity by the hydrogen-rich gas. A method of controlling a fuel cell power generation system, comprising: the reformer, the raw material supply means, the first air supply means, the temperature control means, and the temperature control means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. A control step of controlling the operation of the fuel cell, wherein the control step supplies the raw material from the raw material supply means in a state where the temperature of the reformer is at a predetermined temperature until the operation of the fuel cell is started. Where Performs control so as to perform time, then the temperature of the reformer as well as higher than the predetermined temperature, the control method of the fuel cell power generation system performs control to start the operation of the fuel cell. 13. The temperature adjusting means of the fuel power generation system includes a burner and a second air supply means for supplying combustion air to the burner, and the control step includes the second air supply. The control for controlling the temperature of the reformer to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by making the air supply amount of the supply means to the burner excessive.
13. The method for controlling the fuel cell power generation system according to 1 or 12. 14. The fuel power generation system further comprises steam supply means for supplying steam to the reformer, wherein the reformer carries out the reforming reaction by steam reforming. The control of controlling the temperature of the reformer to be equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature by increasing the amount of steam supplied to the reformer by the steam supply means.
Alternatively, the method of controlling the fuel cell power generation system according to Item 12. 15. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first air supply means are based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means.
A program for causing a computer to function as control means for controlling the operations of the temperature adjusting means and the fuel cell. 16. The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 2, wherein the reformer, the raw material supply means, and the first air supply means are based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means.
A program for causing a computer to function as control means for controlling the operations of the temperature adjusting means and the fuel cell. 17. A recording medium carrying the program according to claim 15 or 16, which can be processed by a computer.