JP2018186009A - Power generator, control device, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To quickly determine whether or not an operation state is normal in each operation mode. A power generator includes a fuel cell, a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations, and a control unit that acquires temperature information of the locations where the temperature sensors are installed from the plurality of temperature sensors. Prepare. A control part changes the order which acquires temperature information by the starting mode which starts a fuel cell, and operation modes other than starting mode. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a power generation device, a control device, and a control program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a power generation apparatus including a fuel cell such as a solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as SOFC), a plurality of temperature sensors are installed in the power generation apparatus ( For example, Patent Document 1).

  The power generation device can determine whether or not the operation state is normal based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

JP-A-2006-12519

  For example, a power generation apparatus including a fuel cell such as SOFC has various operation modes such as a start mode, a power generation mode, and a standby mode. It is desirable to quickly determine whether or not the operation state is normal in each operation mode by detecting the temperature in the power generation device.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power generation device, a control device, and a control program that can quickly determine whether or not an operation state is normal in each operation mode.

  A power generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure obtains temperature information of a location where each temperature sensor is installed from a fuel cell, a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations, and the plurality of temperature sensors. A control unit. The control unit changes the order in which the temperature information is acquired between an activation mode in which the fuel cell is activated and an operation mode other than the activation mode.

  A control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls a power generation device that includes a fuel cell and a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations. The control device acquires temperature information of a place where each temperature sensor is installed from the plurality of temperature sensors. In addition, the control device changes the order in which the temperature information is acquired between an activation mode in which the fuel cell is activated and an operation mode other than the activation mode.

  A control program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a control device that controls a power generation device including a fuel cell and a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations; The step of acquiring temperature information of the place where is installed is executed. Further, the control program causes the control device to execute a step of changing the order in which the temperature information is acquired between an activation mode in which the fuel cell is activated and an operation mode other than the activation mode.

  According to the power generation device, the control device, and the control program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not the operation state is normal in each operation mode.

It is a functional block diagram showing roughly the composition of the power generator concerning the embodiment of this indication. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly an example of a structure of the selection part of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the power generation device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the order which acquires temperature information from a temperature sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the order which acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor in the case of a plurality of cell stacks. It is a figure which shows the other example of the order which acquires temperature information from a temperature sensor. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a modification of the configuration of the power generation device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration of a power generation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a power generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a hot water storage tank 60, a load 100, and a commercial power supply (grid) 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 1 generates power by supplying gas and air from the outside, and supplies the generated power to a load 100 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generator 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 12, a fuel cell module 20, a supply unit 30, an inverter 40, a combustion catalyst 45, an exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50, A circulating water treatment unit 52 and a selection unit 80 are provided.

  The power generator 1 operates in various operation modes such as a start mode, a power generation mode, and a standby mode. The activation mode is a mode in which the fuel cell module 20 of the power generator 1 is activated to start power generation. The power generation mode is a mode in which the power generation device 1 continues stable power generation. The standby mode is a mode in which the control unit 10 of the power generation apparatus 1 is operating, but the power generation apparatus 1 is not performing processing related to power generation. That is, the standby mode is a mode after the stop process from the mode before the start mode or the power generation mode.

  The power generation device 1 includes at least one processor as the controller 10 to provide control and processing capabilities for performing various functions, as will be described in further detail below. According to various embodiments, the at least one processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) or as a plurality of communicatively connected integrated circuits ICs and / or discrete circuits. Good. The at least one processor can be implemented according to various known techniques.

  In certain embodiments, the processor includes one or more circuits or units configured to perform one or more data computation procedures or processes. For example, a processor may be one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, or any of these devices or configurations The functions described below may be performed by including combinations or other known device or configuration combinations.

  The control unit 10 is connected to the storage unit 12, the fuel cell module 20, the supply unit 30, and the selection unit 80, and controls and manages the entire power generation apparatus 1 including these functional units. The control unit 10 obtains a program stored in the storage unit 12 and executes this program, thereby realizing various functions related to each unit of the power generation device 1. When transmitting a control signal or various types of information from the control unit 10 to other function units, the control unit 10 and other function units may be connected by wire or wireless. Control characteristic of this embodiment performed by the control unit 10 will be further described later.

  The storage unit 12 stores information acquired from the control unit 10. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 10. In addition, the memory | storage part 12 memorize | stores various data, such as a calculation result by the control part 10, for example. Further, the storage unit 12 will be described below as including a work memory when the control unit 10 operates. Although the memory | storage part 12 can be comprised by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, for example, it is not limited to these, It can be set as arbitrary memory | storage devices. For example, the storage unit 12 may be an optical storage device such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk.

  The fuel cell module 20 includes a reformer 22 and a cell stack 24. The cell stack 24 of the fuel cell module 20 generates power using gas (fuel gas) supplied from the supply unit 30 and outputs the generated DC power to the inverter 40. The fuel cell module 20 is also called a hot module. In the fuel cell module 20, the cell stack 24 generates heat with power generation. In the present disclosure, the cell stack 24 that actually generates power is appropriately referred to as a “fuel cell”. In the present disclosure, any functional unit including the cell stack 24 may be collectively referred to as “fuel cell” as appropriate. For example, as the “fuel cell”, a single cell, a fuel cell module, or the like can be given.

  The reformer 22 generates hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide using the gas and reformed water supplied from the supply unit 30. The cell stack 24 generates power by reacting hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide generated in the reformer 22 with oxygen in the air. That is, in the present embodiment, the cell stack 24 of the fuel cell generates power by an electrochemical reaction. The reformer 22 exemplifies a reformer that performs the above-described steam reforming. However, as another reformer, partial oxidation reforming that generates hydrogen using air containing oxygen or the like ( A reformer or the like that performs Partial Oxidation (POX) may be used.

  Hereinafter, the cell stack 24 will be described as an SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell). However, the cell stack 24 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the SOFC. The cell stack 24 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), and a molten carbonate fuel cell (PAFC). A fuel cell such as Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) may be used. In the present embodiment, the cell stack 24 may include, for example, four cells that can generate about 700 W of power alone. In this case, the fuel cell module 20 can output about 3 kW of electric power as a whole. However, the cell stack 24 and the fuel cell module 20 according to the present embodiment are not limited to such a configuration, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, the fuel cell module 20 according to the present embodiment may include only one cell stack 24. In this embodiment, the electric power generating apparatus 1 should just be provided with the fuel cell which produces electric power using gas. Therefore, for example, the power generation device 1 can be assumed to have only one fuel cell instead of the cell stack 24 as a fuel cell. Further, the fuel cell according to the present embodiment may be a fuel cell without a module such as PEFC.

  The supply unit 30 includes a gas supply unit 32, an air supply unit 34, and a reforming water supply unit 36. That is, the supply unit 30 supplies gas, air, and reformed water to the cell stack 24.

  The gas supply unit 32 supplies gas to the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the gas supply unit 32 controls the amount of gas supplied to the fuel cell module 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 10. In this embodiment, the gas supply part 32 can be comprised by a gas line, for example. Moreover, the gas supply part 32 may perform the desulfurization process of gas, and may heat gas preliminarily. The exhaust heat of the cell stack 24 may be used as a heat source for heating the gas. The gas is, for example, city gas or LPG, but is not limited thereto. For example, the gas may be natural gas or coal gas depending on the fuel cell. In the present embodiment, the gas supply unit 32 supplies a fuel gas used for an electrochemical reaction when the cell stack 24 generates power.

  The air supply unit 34 supplies air to the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the air supply unit 34 controls the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell module 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 10. In this embodiment, the air supply part 34 can be comprised by an air line, for example. The air supply unit 34 may preliminarily heat the air taken from the outside and supply the air to the fuel cell module 20. The exhaust heat of the cell stack 24 may be used as a heat source for heating the air. In the present embodiment, the air supply unit 34 supplies air used for an electrochemical reaction when the cell stack 24 generates power.

  The reforming water supply unit 36 generates water vapor and supplies it to the fuel cell module 20. At this time, the reforming water supply unit 36 controls the amount of water vapor supplied to the fuel cell module 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the reforming water supply unit 36 can be configured by, for example, a reforming water line. The reforming water supply unit 36 may generate water vapor using water recovered from the exhaust gas of the cell stack 24 as a raw material. The exhaust heat of the cell stack 24 may be used as a heat source for generating water vapor.

  The inverter 40 is connected to the fuel cell module 20. The inverter 40 converts the DC power generated by the cell stack 24 into AC power. The AC power output from the inverter 40 is supplied to the load 100 via a distribution board or the like. The load 100 receives the power output from the inverter 40 via a distribution board or the like. In FIG. 1, the load 100 is illustrated as a single member, but can be an arbitrary number of various electrical devices constituting the load. The load 100 can also receive power from the commercial power supply 200 via a distribution board or the like. In FIG. 1, the connection between the inverter 40 and the control unit 10 is not shown, but the inverter 40 and the control unit 10 may be connected. With this connection, the control unit 10 can control the output of AC power by the inverter 40.

  The combustion catalyst 45 burns unburned gas contained in the exhaust generated by the power generation of the cell stack 24. The combustion catalyst 45 may include, for example, a honeycomb catalyst in which a noble metal catalyst is applied to a honeycomb structure. The noble metal catalyst may include, for example, platinum and palladium.

  The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 recovers exhaust heat from the exhaust generated by the power generation of the cell stack 24. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 can be configured with, for example, a heat exchanger. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 is connected to the circulating water processing unit 52 and the hot water storage tank 60.

  The circulating water processing unit 52 circulates water from the hot water storage tank 60 to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50. The water supplied to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 is heated by the exhaust heat recovered by the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 and returns to the hot water storage tank 60. The exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 exhausts the exhaust from which the exhaust heat has been recovered to the outside. Further, as described above, the heat recovered by the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 can be used for heating gas, air, or reformed water.

  The hot water storage tank 60 is connected to the exhaust heat recovery processing unit 50 and the circulating water processing unit 52. The hot water storage tank 60 can store hot water generated using the exhaust heat recovered from the cell stack 24 of the fuel cell module 20 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generator 1 includes a first temperature sensor 71, a third temperature sensor 73, and a fourth temperature sensor 74 in the fuel cell module 20. Further, the power generation device 1 includes a second temperature sensor 72 that detects the temperature near the outlet of the combustion catalyst 45.

  The first temperature sensor 71 is installed near the cell stack 24, for example, above the cell stack 24, and detects the temperature of the combustion unit. Here, the “combustion part” is a part where gas burns above the cell stack 24. The first temperature sensor 71 can detect whether or not gas is burning in the combustion section by measuring the temperature of the combustion section. For example, when the temperature of the combustion part detected by the first temperature sensor 71 is higher than a predetermined temperature in the startup mode of the power generator 1, the control unit 10 determines that the combustion part is normally ignited. For example, in the power generation mode of the power generation device 1, if the temperature of the combustion part detected by the first temperature sensor 71 is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 10 determines that the combustion part has misfired.

  The second temperature sensor 72 is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the combustion catalyst 45 and detects the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the combustion catalyst 45 (hereinafter, simply described as “the temperature of the outlet of the combustion catalyst” is detected). As described above, the combustion catalyst 45 burns the unburned gas contained in the exhaust gas generated by the power generation of the cell stack 24. Therefore, if the fuel cell module 20 is misfired and there is much incomplete combustion, the amount of unburned gas contained in the exhaust gas increases, and the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet increases. The second temperature sensor 72 can detect whether a large amount of incomplete combustion has occurred in the fuel cell module 20 by measuring the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet. For example, in the power generation mode of the power generation apparatus 1, if the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet detected by the second temperature sensor 72 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 10 causes a large amount of incomplete combustion in the fuel cell module 20. Is determined. The vicinity of the outlet of the combustion catalyst 45 includes a location near where the gas has passed through the combustion catalyst 45, a location immediately before the gas has completely passed through the combustion catalyst 45, and the like. In the above description, the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is detected, but the temperature of the combustion catalyst 45 other than the combustion catalyst outlet may be detected.

  The third temperature sensor 73 is installed in the vicinity of the center of the cell stack 24 and detects the temperature in the vicinity of the center of the cell stack 24 (hereinafter, simply described as “detecting the temperature at the center of the cell stack”). Although the temperature at the center of the cell stack is detected, the temperature of the cell stack 24 other than the center of the cell stack 24 may be detected.

  The fourth temperature sensor 74 is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the reformer 22 and detects the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the reformer 22 (hereinafter, simply described as “detecting the temperature of the reformer outlet”). The vicinity of the outlet of the reformer 22 is a place near where the gas has passed through the reformer (reforming catalyst) 22 or a position immediately before the gas has completely passed through the reformer (reforming catalyst) 22. Place. In the above description, the temperature at the reformer outlet is detected, but the temperature of the reformer 22 other than the reformer outlet may be detected.

  The first temperature sensor 71 to the fourth temperature sensor 74 can be configured by, for example, a thermocouple. The first temperature sensor 71 to the fourth temperature sensor 74 are not limited to thermocouples, and any member can be adopted as long as it is a member capable of measuring temperature. For example, the first temperature sensor 71 to the fourth temperature sensor 74 may be a thermistor or a platinum resistance temperature detector.

  The selection unit 80 acquires temperature information from the first temperature sensor 71, the second temperature sensor 72, the third temperature sensor 73, and the fourth temperature sensor 74, and transmits one selected temperature information to the control unit 10. To do. The selection unit 80 is controlled based on a control signal from the control unit 10 and switches temperature information to be selected.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the selection unit 80. The selection unit 80 includes multiplexers (MUX) 81 a to 81 c and an A / D converter 82. Hereinafter, when not particularly distinguished, the MUXs 81a to 81c are simply referred to as MUX81.

  The MUX 81 has two input units “0” and “1”. The MUX 81 outputs the temperature information input to one of the input units to the A / D converter 82 based on the control signal from the control unit 10.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the MUX 81 a inputs temperature information from the third temperature sensor 73 to the input unit “0” and inputs temperature information from the fourth temperature sensor 74 to the input unit “1”. The MUX 81b inputs temperature information from the first temperature sensor 71 to the input unit “0”, and inputs temperature information from the second temperature sensor 72 to the input unit “1”. The MUX 81c inputs the temperature information from the second temperature sensor 72 to both the input units “0” and “1”.

  The A / D converter 82 has three input units “group 1”, “group 2”, and “group 3”. The A / D converter 82 outputs the temperature information input to one of the input units to the control unit 10 based on the control signal from the control unit 10. When the temperature information is output to the control unit 10, the A / D converter 82 converts the temperature information input as an analog signal into a digital signal.

  The configuration of the selection unit 80 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example, and the configuration is not limited thereto. The selection part 80 should just be the structure which can select one temperature information from the several temperature information acquired from the several temperature sensor. For example, if the selection unit 80 can select one temperature information from a plurality of temperature information acquired from a plurality of temperature sensors, the number of input units of the MUX 81 and the number of input units of the A / D converter 82 are arbitrary. May be the number of

  Next, the operation of the control unit 10 will be described.

  The control unit 10 acquires temperature information around the place where each temperature sensor is installed from the first temperature sensor 71, the second temperature sensor 72, the third temperature sensor 73, and the fourth temperature sensor 74. That is, the control unit 10 acquires temperature information of the combustion unit from the first temperature sensor 71. The control unit 10 acquires the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet from the second temperature sensor 72. The control unit 10 acquires the temperature at the center of the cell stack from the third temperature sensor 73. The control unit 10 acquires the temperature at the reformer outlet from the fourth temperature sensor 74.

  The control unit 10 does not acquire a plurality of temperature information at the same time. The control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to select which temperature information is acquired, and switches the temperature information to be selected at a predetermined time interval.

  The control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 so as to acquire temperature information in a predetermined order according to the operation mode. The control unit 10 changes the order in which the temperature information is acquired in the start mode and the operation mode other than the start mode. A specific example of the order of acquiring temperature information in the start mode and a specific example of the order of acquiring temperature information in an operation mode other than the start mode will be described later in the description of FIGS.

  In the startup mode, the control unit 10 changes the order of acquiring the temperature information so that the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion unit is higher than in the operation mode other than the startup mode. This is because in the start-up mode, it is highly important to quickly determine whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited.

  The control unit 10 changes the order of acquiring the temperature information so that the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet is higher in the operation modes other than the startup mode than in the startup mode. This is because it is highly important to quickly determine whether incomplete combustion has occurred in the fuel cell module 20 in an operation mode other than startup.

  Next, the operation of the power generation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 10 of the power generation device 1 determines whether the operation mode of the power generation device 1 is the activation mode or an operation mode other than the activation mode (step S101).

  When the operation mode of the power generation device 1 is the startup mode (Yes in step S101), the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 so that the temperature information can be acquired in the order corresponding to the startup mode, and corresponds to the startup mode. Temperature information is acquired in order (step S102).

  When the operation mode of the power generator 1 is an operation mode other than the startup mode (No in step S101), the control unit 10 sets the selection unit 80 so that the temperature information can be acquired in the order corresponding to the operation mode other than the startup mode. Temperature information is acquired in the order corresponding to the operation mode other than the startup mode (step S103).

[Order of temperature information acquisition according to operation mode]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the order in which the control unit 10 acquires temperature information. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of obtaining temperature information in the startup mode. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of the order in which temperature information is acquired in an operation mode other than the startup mode.

  In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the numbers surrounded by circles indicate the order of temperature acquisition.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82, and acquires temperature information in the following order.
1: Cell stack center 2: Combustion part 3: Reformer outlet 4: Combustion catalyst outlet (After this, 1: Return to the cell stack center)

  As described above, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 acquires four pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and when acquiring the fourth temperature information, returns to the acquisition of the first temperature information. In this manner, the control unit 10 repeats acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82 in the operation modes other than the start mode, and the temperature information in the following order. To get.
1: Center of cell stack 2: Combustion section 3: Outlet of combustion catalyst 4: Outlet of reformer 5: Outlet of combustion catalyst (After this, 1: Return to center of cell stack)

  In this way, in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 acquires five pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and acquires the fifth temperature information, thereby acquiring the first temperature information. Return. In this way, the control unit 10 repeats the acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG. 4B in the operation mode other than the startup mode.

  When the input unit of the MUX 81 is switched, the control unit 10 may acquire temperature information after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed in order to wait for the output of the MUX 81 to stabilize. Further, in order to improve the accuracy of the temperature information, the control unit 10 may calculate the average value by repeating the acquisition of the temperature information a plurality of times when acquiring the temperature information.

  Comparing the order of temperature information acquisition in the startup mode shown in FIG. 4A and the order of temperature information acquisition in the operation mode other than the startup mode shown in FIG. 4B, the order shown in FIG. The frequency at which the temperature information of the combustion section is acquired is higher than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 4 (a), the temperature of the combustion part is acquired once every four times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 4 (b), the temperature of the combustion part is only once every five times. Not acquired. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion unit in the startup mode, the control unit 10 quickly determines whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited in the startup mode. can do.

  In addition, the order shown in FIG. 4B has a higher frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 4 (b), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is acquired twice in 5 times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 4 (a), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is 1 in 4 times. Only acquired once. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 allows the fuel cell module 20 in the operation mode other than the start-up mode. In, for example, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not a large amount of incomplete combustion has occurred due to misfire or the like.

  In this way, by changing the order in which the temperature information is acquired between the activation mode and the operation mode other than the activation mode, the control unit 10 can quickly make a necessary determination according to the operation mode. In the start-up mode, information on whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited is important. In the startup mode, the control unit 10 can quickly determine whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited by increasing the frequency at which the temperature information of the combustion unit is acquired. Further, in operation modes other than the start-up mode, information on whether or not incomplete combustion has occurred frequently is important. In an operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 can quickly determine whether or not incomplete combustion has occurred frequently by increasing the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet.

[Example when there are multiple cell stacks]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the order in which the control unit 10 acquires temperature information when the number of cell stacks 24 is plural. In the example shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that there are four cell stacks 24 (cell stacks A to D). In addition, it is assumed that there are four combustion parts A to D corresponding to the number of cell stacks 24. Also, it is assumed that there are two reformers 22, reformers A and B. For each of the plurality of cell stacks 24, the plurality of combustion sections, and the plurality of reformers 22, there are a plurality of temperature sensors that detect the temperature of the center of the cell stack, the temperature of the combustion section, and the temperature of the reformer outlet. It shall be. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the MUX has six input units.

  Fig.5 (a) is a figure which shows an example of the order of acquisition of the temperature information in starting mode. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of obtaining temperature information in an operation mode other than the startup mode.

  In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the circled numbers indicate the order of temperature acquisition.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82, and acquires temperature information in the following order.
1: Cell stack center A
2: Combustion part A
3: Cell stack center B
4: Combustion part B
5: Cell stack center C
6: Combustion part C
7: Cell stack center D
8: Combustion part D
9: Reformer outlet A
10: Reformer outlet B
11: Combustion catalyst outlet (After this, 1: Return to cell stack center A)

  As described above, in the start-up mode, the control unit 10 acquires 11 pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and when the 11th temperature information is acquired, returns to the acquisition of the first temperature information. In this way, the control unit 10 repeats acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5B, in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82, and the temperature information in the following order. To get.
1: Cell stack center A
2: Combustion part A
3: Combustion catalyst outlet 4: Cell stack center B
5: Combustion part B
6: Combustion catalyst outlet 7: Cell stack center C
8: Combustion part C
9: Combustion catalyst exit 10: Cell stack center D
11: Combustion part D
12: Combustion catalyst outlet 13: Reformer outlet A
14: Reformer outlet B
15: Combustion catalyst outlet (After this, 1: Return to cell stack center A)

  As described above, in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 acquires 15 pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and when the 15th temperature information is acquired, the control unit 10 acquires the first temperature information. Return. In this way, the control unit 10 repeats the acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG. 5B in the operation mode other than the startup mode.

  When the order of temperature information acquisition in the startup mode shown in FIG. 5A is compared with the order of temperature information acquisition in an operation mode other than the startup mode shown in FIG. 5B, the order shown in FIG. The frequency at which the temperature information of the combustion section is acquired is higher than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 5 (a), the temperature of each combustion section is acquired once every 11 times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 5 (b), the temperature of each combustion section is set to 15 times. Acquired only once. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion unit in the startup mode, the control unit 10 quickly determines whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited in the startup mode. can do.

  Further, in the order shown in FIG. 5B, the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet is acquired more frequently than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 5 (b), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is acquired five times in 15 times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 5 (a), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is 1 in 11 times. Only acquired once. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 allows the fuel cell module 20 in the operation mode other than the start-up mode. It is possible to quickly determine whether or not a large amount of incomplete combustion has occurred.

[Other examples of temperature information acquisition order]
FIG. 6 shows another example of the order in which the control unit 10 acquires temperature information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the MUX has three input units.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of obtaining temperature information in the startup mode. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of acquiring temperature information in an operation mode other than the startup mode.

  In FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the circled numbers indicate the order of temperature acquisition.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82, and acquires temperature information in the following order.
1: Center of cell stack 2: Combustion unit 3: Reformer outlet 4: Combustion unit 5: Combustion catalyst outlet 6: Combustion unit (After this, 1: Return to cell stack center)

  As described above, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 acquires six pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and when acquiring the sixth temperature information, returns to the acquisition of the first temperature information. In this way, the control unit 10 repeats acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG. 6A in the startup mode.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 10 controls the selection unit 80 to switch the inputs of the MUX 81 and the A / D converter 82 in the operation mode other than the start mode, and the temperature information in the following order. To get.
1: Center of cell stack 2: Combustion catalyst outlet 3: Combustion part 4: Combustion catalyst outlet 5: Reformer outlet 6: Combustion catalyst outlet (After this, 1: Return to cell stack center)

  In this way, in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 acquires six pieces of temperature information in one cycle, and when the sixth temperature information is acquired, the control unit 10 acquires the first temperature information. Return. In this way, the control unit 10 repeats acquisition of temperature information in the order shown in FIG. 6B in the operation mode other than the startup mode.

  When the order of temperature information acquisition in the startup mode shown in FIG. 6A is compared with the order of temperature information acquisition in an operation mode other than the startup mode shown in FIG. 6B, the order shown in FIG. The frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion section is higher than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 6 (a), the temperature of the combustion part is acquired three times in six times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 6 (b), the temperature of the combustion part is only once in six times. Not acquired. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion unit in the startup mode, the control unit 10 quickly determines whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited in the startup mode. can do. Moreover, the order of acquiring the temperature information shown in FIG. 6A is higher in the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion section than the order of acquiring the temperature information shown in FIG. Therefore, by acquiring the temperature information in the order as shown in FIG. 6A, the combustion unit is more quickly activated in the start-up mode than when acquiring the temperature information in the order as shown in FIG. It can be determined whether or not the ignition is normal.

  In addition, the order shown in FIG. 6B has a higher frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet than the order shown in FIG. Specifically, in the order shown in FIG. 6 (b), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is acquired three times in six times, whereas in the order shown in FIG. 6 (a), the temperature of the combustion catalyst outlet is 1 in six times. Only acquired once. Thus, by increasing the frequency at which the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, the control unit 10 allows the fuel cell module 20 in the operation mode other than the start-up mode. It is possible to quickly determine whether or not a large amount of incomplete combustion has occurred. Moreover, the order of acquiring the temperature information shown in FIG. 6B is higher in the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet than the order of acquiring the temperature information shown in FIG. Therefore, by acquiring the temperature information in the order as shown in FIG. 6B, the operation modes other than the startup mode are more quickly obtained than the temperature information is acquired in the order as shown in FIG. 4B. The fuel cell module 20 can determine whether or not a large amount of incomplete combustion has occurred.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 10 changes the order in which the temperature information is acquired in the start mode and the operation mode other than the start mode. Thereby, the electric power generating apparatus 1 can determine rapidly whether an operation state is normal in each operation mode.

  In addition, in the startup mode, the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information so that the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion unit from the first temperature sensor 71 is higher than in the operation mode other than the startup mode. To change. As a result, it can be quickly determined whether or not the combustion unit has normally ignited in the startup mode.

  In addition, in the operation mode other than the start mode, the control unit 10 acquires the temperature information so that the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion catalyst outlet from the second temperature sensor 72 is higher than that in the start mode. Change the order. Thereby, the electric power generating apparatus 1 can determine rapidly whether incomplete combustion has generate | occur | produced many in the fuel cell module 20 in operation modes other than starting mode.

[Configuration with control device externally]
The embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized as a configuration having function blocks corresponding to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 12 of the power generation device 1 illustrated in FIG. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the control device 2 that controls the power generation device 1 from the outside includes a control unit 10 and a storage unit 12. The functions of the control unit 10 and the storage unit 12 of the control device 2 shown in FIG. 7 are respectively equivalent to the functions of the control unit 10 and the storage unit 12 of the power generation device 1 shown in FIG.

  The embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized as a control program to be executed by the control device 2 illustrated in FIG. 7, for example.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each functional unit, each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so that there is no logical contradiction, and a plurality of functional units, steps, etc. are combined or divided into one. It is possible. In addition, each of the embodiments of the present invention described above is not limited to being performed faithfully to each of the embodiments described above, and is implemented by appropriately combining the features or omitting some of the features. You can also.

  For example, the order of temperature measurement shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is merely an example. In the start-up mode, if the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the combustion unit is higher than the operation mode other than the start-up mode, and in the operation mode other than the start-up mode, if the frequency of acquiring the temperature information of the fuel catalyst outlet is higher than the start-up mode, Other orders may be used.

  In the above disclosure, the power generation apparatus 1 including the cell stack 24 serving as the SOFC has been described as the present embodiment. However, as described above, the power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the one provided with the SOFC, and may include various fuel cells such as a PEFC without a module. In the present disclosure, the “fuel cell” means, for example, a power generation system, a power generation unit, a fuel cell module, a hot module, a cell stack, or a cell.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power generator 2 Control apparatus 10 Control part 12 Storage part 20 Fuel cell module 22 Reformer 24 Cell stack 30 Supply part 32 Gas supply part 34 Air supply part 36 Reformed water supply part 40 Inverter 45 Combustion catalyst 50 Waste heat recovery process Unit 52 Circulating water treatment unit 60 Hot water storage tank 71 First temperature sensor 72 Second temperature sensor 73 Third temperature sensor 74 Fourth temperature sensor 80 Selection unit 81 Multiplexer (MUX)
82 A / D converter 100 Load 200 Commercial power supply

Claims (7)

A fuel cell;
Multiple temperature sensors installed in different locations,
A controller that acquires temperature information of a place where each temperature sensor is installed from the plurality of temperature sensors;
The said control part is an electric power generating apparatus which changes the order which acquires temperature information by the starting mode which starts the said fuel cell, and operation modes other than this starting mode. The power generator according to claim 1,
The plurality of temperature sensors include a first temperature sensor that detects a temperature in a combustion portion above the fuel cell,
The said control part changes the said order so that the frequency which acquires temperature information from a said 1st temperature sensor may be made higher in the said starting mode than in operation modes other than this starting mode. The power generator according to claim 2,
Further comprising a combustion catalyst for burning unburned gas contained in the exhaust of the fuel cell;
The plurality of temperature sensors further includes a second temperature sensor that detects a temperature in the vicinity of the combustion catalyst,
The said control part changes the said order so that the frequency which acquires temperature information from a said 2nd temperature sensor may be made higher in operation modes other than the said start mode rather than in the said start mode. In the electric power generating apparatus of Claim 3,
The fuel cell includes a plurality of cell stacks,
The first temperature sensor has a number corresponding to the number of the plurality of cell stacks provided above the plurality of cell stacks so as to detect a temperature in a combustion part above each cell stack.
The controller is
In the start-up mode, after acquiring temperature information in all the combustion units above each cell stack from the first temperature sensor, acquire temperature information in the vicinity of the combustion catalyst from the second temperature sensor,
In operation modes other than the start-up mode, the temperature information in the vicinity of the combustion catalyst is obtained from the second temperature sensor every time the temperature information in the combustion section above one cell stack is obtained from the first temperature sensor. A power generator. In the electric power generating apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
An operation mode other than the start-up mode is a power generation device that is a power generation mode or a standby mode. A control device for controlling a power generation device including a fuel cell and a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations,
From the plurality of temperature sensors, obtain temperature information of the place where each temperature sensor is installed,
The control apparatus which changes the order which acquires temperature information by the starting mode which starts the said fuel cell, and operation modes other than this starting mode.
Control device. A control device that controls a power generation device that includes a fuel cell and a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different locations.
Obtaining temperature information of a place where each temperature sensor is installed from the plurality of temperature sensors;
The control program which performs the step which changes the order which acquires temperature information by the starting mode which starts the said fuel cell, and operation modes other than this starting mode.

Images