JP2012214221A - Safety operation method of emergency time coping type fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

An emergency response type fuel cell system safe operation method that can use a power source close to a place where power is demanded connected to a commercial power source and that can operate independently by avoiding a short circuit in the event of a disaster.
A safe operation method of a system including an emergency response type fuel cell 1 is provided, and the emergency protection type fuel cell 1 is commercialized by an interconnection protection device 2 at the time of normal power supply of a commercial power system. When the commercial power system is stopped when the commercial power system is stopped, the emergency protection fuel cell 1 and the commercial power system are disconnected by the grid protection device 2 and the emergency power fuel is supplied. The battery 1 is activated by a power generation device mounted on an automobile, the electric power generated by the emergency type fuel cell 1 is supplied from the outlet 6 to the home, and the heat generated by the power generation of the emergency type fuel cell 1 is supplied to the hot water tank 5. When heat is exchanged with the stored refrigerant, and the power generation amount of the emergency response type fuel cell exceeds the power consumption at home, surplus power is consumed by the load device.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a safe operation method for an emergency-ready fuel cell system that efficiently supplies electric power and is disconnected from a commercial power supply system in the event of a disaster to enable independent power generation.

  In recent years, fuel cells that generate electricity using a reaction that generates water from hydrogen and oxygen have been actively developed as power generation systems with high energy utilization efficiency. The fuel cell system generates hydrogen using fuel gas such as natural gas, city gas, methanol, LPG, and butane and water, and removes the generated hydrogen by using a reformer. Power is supplied to the anode by utilizing the potential difference generated between the anode and the cathode along with the generation of water by reaction with oxygen (air) supplied to the cathode. Since the potential difference generated between the anode and the cathode is usually about 1 V, a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells are provided in multiple stages so as to obtain a desired voltage level is used. Among such fuel cell systems, a fuel cell system using a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) provided with an anode and a cathode via a polymer electrolyte membrane. It is particularly attracting attention for home use because of its high power density and easy handling.

  Fuel cell systems using such fuel cells include reformers that generate hydrogen from fuel gas, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), controllers, AC converters, and water to recover heat generated during power generation. Known to be equipped with a heat exchanger that uses hot water as the water stored in the tank and a heat recovery device that includes a storage tank that stores this hot water. A power generation system that is used separately from a commercial power source has been developed. In a fuel cell system used in conjunction with a commercial power source, the control device and auxiliary equipment are driven using commercial power at the time of startup. Here, interconnecting with a commercial power source means interconnecting with the commercial power source. In such a system, when the power consumption (load) becomes smaller than the power generation amount of the fuel cell and surplus power is generated, In order to prevent a reverse power flow phenomenon in which electric power generated by a battery flows into a commercial power source, a system (Patent Document 1) that can accurately process surplus power has been reported. However, in a power generation system that is used in conjunction with a commercial power supply, if an emergency such as a natural phenomenon occurs and the supply of commercial power is stopped, the fuel cell system cannot be activated and generates power. Is impossible. On the other hand, as a portable power generation system, a system in which a hydrogen storage tank is loaded or a secondary battery is installed to cope with a disaster has been reported (Patent Document 2). However, these systems are used as a backup power source for generating power in an emergency when the supply of city gas is stopped, and are not considered to be used as a daily household power source.

JP 2004-213985 A JP-A-8-287933

  The present invention is close to a power demand place that is a demand on the power demand side, so-called on-site power generation, power generation in a depopulated area / remote island, small power generation, high power conversion efficiency power generation, clean energy conversion power generation, etc. The power generated by the type generator can be used in conjunction with the commercial power supply, and even if it is disconnected from the commercial power supply, it can operate independently and start up independently. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe operation method of a disaster-responsive fuel cell system that can supply a sufficient amount of electric power and can safely operate by appropriately consuming surplus power due to fluctuations in household power consumption.

  As a result of diligent research to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention connected with commercial power in a normal condition in order to cover household power in a household fuel cell system. When there is a danger of stopping or short-circuiting, the fuel cell is started by disconnecting from commercial power, and an outlet is provided in the fuel cell to supply power to the home. It is difficult to generate power in response to the fluctuations of the power supply immediately, so it is possible to cope with emergencies by generating excessive power more than the power consumed at home, and surplus power is consumed separately by the load device. Also, in the normal power supply, the inventors have obtained the knowledge that the distributed power supply combined with the commercial power supply can be made, and have come to the present invention based on such knowledge.

That is, the present invention is a safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system equipped with an emergency response type fuel cell, and during normal power supply of a commercial power supply system, an emergency response is provided by an interconnection protection device. Type fuel cell connected to the commercial power supply system,
When the commercial power supply system is stopped, the connection between the emergency response type fuel cell and the commercial power supply system is disconnected by the interconnection protection device, and the emergency response type fuel cell is started by the power generator installed in the vehicle. ,
Supplying the power generated by the emergency response type fuel cell to the home from an outlet provided in the emergency response type fuel cell;
When the heat generated by the emergency response type fuel cell is heat-exchanged by the refrigerant stored in the hot water tank, and the power generation amount of the emergency response type fuel cell exceeds the power consumption at home, surplus power is consumed by the load device The present invention relates to a safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system.

  The safe operation method of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system of the present invention is close to the power demand place which is a demand on the power demand side, so-called on-site power generation, power generation in a depopulated area / remote island, low power power generation, high power conversion Power sources based on so-called distributed power generation, such as efficient power generation and clean energy power generation, can be used in conjunction with the commercial power supply, and even if disconnected from the commercial power supply, the power generator installed in the vehicle can be activated independently. In addition, it is possible to avoid short circuit accidents such as disasters and to supply power to the home, and to safely consume surplus power due to fluctuations in power consumption at home.

It is a figure which shows the normal starting state in Example 1 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the normal driving | running state in Example 1 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the starting state at the time of emergency in Example 1 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation state at the time of emergency in Example 1 of the emergency response type fuel cell system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the starting state of the normal time in Example 2 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows the normal driving | running state in Example 2 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the starting state at the time of emergency in Example 2 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the driving | running state at the time of emergency in Example 2 of the emergency correspondence type fuel cell system concerning this invention.

  A safe operation method for an emergency-ready fuel cell system according to the present invention is a safe operation method for an emergency-ready fuel cell system equipped with an emergency-ready fuel cell, during normal power supply of a commercial power supply system. The emergency protection type fuel cell is connected to the commercial power supply system by the connection protection device, and the emergency protection type fuel cell and the commercial power supply system are operated by the connection protection device when the commercial power supply system is stopped. The outlet connected to the emergency response type fuel cell is activated by a power generator equipped with an emergency response type fuel cell in an automobile, and the power generated by the emergency response type fuel cell is provided in the emergency response type fuel cell. If the heat generated by the emergency type fuel cell is exchanged by the refrigerant stored in the hot water tank and the power generation amount of the emergency type fuel cell exceeds the power consumption at home, Characterized in that it consumed by the load device power.

  The emergency response type fuel cell used in the emergency response type fuel cell system to which the emergency operation type fuel cell system according to the present invention is applied is capable of generating power capable of supplying electric power to the home. Any one can be used, for example, an alkaline fuel cell (AFC) using potassium hydroxide or the like as an electrolyte, a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) using phosphoric acid as an electrolyte, or a high electrolyte as an electrolyte. Solid polymer fuel cell (PEFC) using molecular membrane, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) using molten carbonate as electrolyte, solid oxide type using oxygen conductive solid oxide such as stabilized zirconia as electrolyte Examples thereof include a fuel cell (SOFC). Among these, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that is small and easy to handle is preferable.

  Such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a reforming that generates hydrogen as a fuel using a carbon-containing fuel gas such as hydrocarbon and water, removes carbon monoxide from the reaction mixture gas, and supplies hydrogen. The device is provided with hydrogen and air generated by the reformer, respectively, to the anode and cathode provided through the solid polymer membrane disposed in the cell, and the anode is reacted by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the air. An example of using the potential difference generated between the cathodes can be given, and it is preferable to provide cells in multiple stages as required in order to obtain a desired potential difference. As a carbon-containing fuel gas used for hydrogen generation in such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, city gas is used in normal times. It is possible to switch to a carbon-containing fuel gas stored in a portable cylinder or stationary tank, etc. along with the disconnection, but it is portable or stationary storage regardless of normal or emergency. It is preferable to use a carbon-containing fuel such as natural gas, methanol, LPG, butane, naphtha, kerosene, etc. stored in the section because piping is not required.

  In addition, the emergency type fuel cell preferably has a connection terminal with a power generator mounted on the automobile when activated by a power generator mounted on the automobile described later. The connection terminal may have any shape.

  The connection protection device used for the emergency-ready fuel cell system controls the connection and disconnection between the emergency-ready fuel cell and the commercial power supply system. The emergency response type fuel cell is connected to the commercial power supply system, and when the commercial power supply system is stopped, the emergency response type fuel cell and the commercial power supply system are disconnected. Here, the commercial power supply system means a commercial power supply, the interconnection with the commercial power supply system means a connection with the commercial power supply, and the disconnection of the interconnection means a disconnection. The interconnection protection device includes a DC / AC converter that converts the direct current from the emergency-response fuel cell to alternating current and supplies alternating current power to the home, and also converts the AC of the commercial power supply system into direct current and fuel. An AC / DC converter is provided to supply the battery. When the emergency-response fuel cell is connected to the commercial power supply system, the emergency-response fuel cell is powered by the power from the commercial power supply system. The power generated by the emergency response type fuel cell is supplied to the home, and the shortage when the power generation amount of the emergency response type fuel cell is insufficient relative to the power consumption in the home is supplied from the commercial power supply system. You may do it.

  In addition, the interconnection protection device is provided with a reverse power relay that prevents the power generation from the emergency-response fuel cell from flowing back to the commercial power supply system, and the power generation amount of the emergency-response fuel cell is the power consumption at home. If the amount is excessive, the adverse effect on the commercial power supply system may be prevented. Further, the interconnection protection device is provided with a comparison detection device for comparing and detecting the power generation amount of the emergency type fuel cell and the power consumption at home, and the commercial power supply system and the fuel cell system are connected. When the amount of power generated by the emergency-type fuel cell is less than the amount of power consumed at home, supply the shortage of power from the commercial power supply system. If more, surplus power from the emergency response type fuel cell is supplied to a load device to be described later. Or, when the commercial power system and the emergency-response fuel cell system are linked, the power supply to the home is the main power from the commercial power system. Alternatively, auxiliary power supply may be performed.

  The start-up power generator used in the emergency-ready fuel cell system supplies power for starting up the system including the emergency-ready fuel cell disconnected from the commercial power supply system in the event of a disaster. Such a power generator may be a power generator mounted on an automobile, such as a dynamo as a DC generator, a generator such as an alternator as an AC generator, a lead storage battery, a lithium ion battery, a lithium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, Examples include chemical batteries such as nickel-cadmium batteries, polymer batteries, silver oxide batteries, air batteries, alkaline batteries, and manganese batteries, and physical batteries such as solar batteries and nuclear batteries. Capacitors are widely used as devices for storing electric power. Is also applicable.

  The power generator mounted on the automobile is preferably an alternator that generates electricity used in the automobile. The on-vehicle power generation device can be connected to the connection terminal provided in the above-mentioned emergency response type fuel cell to start the emergency response type fuel cell.

  In addition, the outlet used in the emergency-ready fuel cell system is for outputting power from the emergency-ready fuel cell that is disconnected from the commercial power system in an emergency, and the shape of the outlet is particularly determined. Although it is not a thing, it is preferable that it is a JIS specification outlet. Further, although the number of outlets is not particularly defined, it is preferably two or more.

  The hot water storage tank used in the emergency response type fuel cell system stores heat exchange water generated by the power generation of the fuel cell, and is disposed in a circulation path arranged so as to surround the emergency response type fuel cell. Connected and provided.

  The load device used in the emergency-ready fuel cell system is a device for consuming surplus power when the emergency-ready fuel cell generates more power than household power consumption. What can be achieved is preferable, and examples of the load device include a heater and a lighting device. Moreover, you may integrate with other apparatuses, such as providing a heater in the said hot water storage tank, or an emergency type fuel cell system main body. Such a load device is not limited to the case where the emergency response type fuel cell is disconnected from the commercial power supply system, and the power generation amount of the emergency response type fuel cell is consumed even when the emergency response type fuel cell is connected. The surplus power exceeding the power may be effectively used.

  Such a safe operation method of the emergency response type fuel cell system of the present invention is normally connected to a commercial power supply system, and the emergency response type fuel cell is powered by the power from the commercial power supply system. The electric power generated by the compatible fuel cell is supplied to the home, and the shortage when the power generation amount of the emergency compatible fuel cell is insufficient with respect to the power consumption in the home is supplied from the commercial power supply system. Or during normal times, it is connected to the commercial power supply system, and the power from the commercial power supply system is supplied as the main power source to the home. Power generation may be supplementarily supplied. When the amount of power generated by the emergency response type fuel cell is excessive with respect to the power consumption at home, surplus power is supplied to the load device, and the heat generated by the power generation of the emergency response type fuel cell is exchanged by the refrigerant, Effective use of surplus power and heat generated by power generation can be achieved.

  In the event of an emergency such as a disaster, the connection between the emergency-response fuel cell and the commercial power supply system is disconnected by the connection protection device, and the emergency-response fuel cell is activated by the power generator installed in the vehicle. Supply the generated power to the home from an outlet. At this time, the emergency response type fuel cell can be started by connecting a connection terminal connected to a power generation device mounted on the automobile provided in the emergency response type fuel cell to the power generation device mounted on the automobile. When surplus power is generated in the amount of power generated by an emergency response type fuel cell relative to the power consumption at home, or the heat generated by the power generation of an emergency response type fuel cell can be used effectively in the same way as during grid connection. Even in an emergency when disconnected from the commercial power system, it is possible to stably supply power to the home.

  Hereinafter, the safe operation method of the emergency-response fuel cell system of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Example 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the emergency-response fuel cell system according to the present invention includes an emergency-response fuel cell 1, an interconnection protection device 2, a load device 3, a power generation device 4, a hot water tank 5, and an outlet 6. Provided. A heater is used as a load device, and this is incorporated into a storage tank and configured as an integral unit. During normal times, a commercial power supply and an emergency type fuel cell are connected, and the fuel cell system is activated using the commercial power supply, as shown by the arrows in the figure. The electric power generated after the start-up is provided to a household load as indicated by an arrow in FIG. In the event of a disaster, as shown in FIG. 3, the interconnection protection device disconnects the fuel cell from the commercial power source, and the emergency-ready fuel cell is activated by the power generator installed in the vehicle, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. In addition, power is supplied. As shown in FIG. 4, the electric power generated after the start-up is output to the household load from the outlet attached to the emergency-response fuel cell body, and the surplus power is consumed by the load device.

[Example 2]
As shown in FIG. 5, the emergency response type fuel cell system of the present invention includes an emergency response type fuel cell 1, a connection protection device 2, a load device 3, a connection terminal 7, and a hot water tank 5. A heater is used as a load device, which is incorporated into a hot water tank and configured as an integral unit. During normal operation, a commercial power supply and an emergency response type fuel cell are connected, and the emergency response type fuel cell system is started up using the commercial power supply as indicated by an arrow in the figure. The electric power generated after startup is provided to a household load as shown by the arrow in FIG. In the event of a disaster, as shown in FIG. 7, the interconnection protection device disconnects the emergency-response fuel cell from the commercial power source, and the emergency-response fuel cell is activated by the on-vehicle power generation device and the emergency-response fuel cell. A connection terminal provided in the terminal is connected, and power is supplied as shown by an arrow in the figure. As shown in FIG. 8, the electric power generated after the start-up is output from the outlet attached to the emergency response type fuel cell body to the household load, and the surplus power is consumed by the load device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Emergency response type fuel cell 2 Linkage protection device 3 Load device 4 Power generation device 5 Hot water tank 6 Outlet 7 Connection terminal

Claims (8)

This is a safe operation method for an emergency-ready fuel cell system equipped with an emergency-ready fuel cell. During normal power supply of the commercial power supply system, the emergency protection-type fuel cell is connected to the commercial power supply by a connection protection device. Starts with the grid,
When the commercial power supply system is stopped, the connection between the emergency response type fuel cell and the commercial power supply system is disconnected by the interconnection protection device, and the emergency response type fuel cell is started by the power generator installed in the vehicle. ,
Supplying the power generated by the emergency response type fuel cell to the home from an outlet provided in the emergency response type fuel cell;
When the heat generated by the emergency response type fuel cell is heat-exchanged by the refrigerant stored in the hot water tank, and the power generation amount of the emergency response type fuel cell exceeds the power consumption at home, surplus power is consumed by the load device A safe driving method for an emergency-ready fuel cell system.   2. The safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency response type fuel cell has a connection terminal with a power generation device mounted on an automobile.   The safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation device is an alternator.   The safe operation method for an emergency response type fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the emergency response type fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.   4. The safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency response type fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.   The emergency type fuel cell uses city gas as a carbon-containing fuel gas used for generating hydrogen, and disconnects between a commercial power source and a fuel cell by an interconnection protection device described later in an emergency. Therefore, it is possible to switch to a carbon-containing fuel gas stored in a portable cylinder or a stationary tank, and can be used in both natural and emergency situations. 6. The safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein a carbon-containing fuel selected from gas, methanol, LPG, butane, naphtha, and kerosene is used.   The interconnection protection device converts a direct current from the emergency response type fuel cell into an alternating current to supply alternating current power to a home, or converts an alternating current of the commercial power supply system into a direct current. An AC / DC converter for supplying to the emergency response type fuel cell is provided. When the emergency response type fuel cell is connected to the commercial power supply system at normal times, the emergency response type fuel cell is When the electric power generated by the power supply from the commercial power system and generated by the emergency-response fuel cell is supplied to the home, and the power generation amount of the emergency-response fuel cell is insufficient with respect to the power consumption at home 7. The safe operation method of an emergency response type fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the shortage of the fuel cell system is supplied from a commercial power supply system.   8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is used to output electric power from the emergency response type fuel cell that is cleaved from the commercial power supply system in an emergency from an outlet provided in the emergency response type fuel cell. A safe operation method of any one of the emergency type fuel cell systems.

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