JPH07105964A - Fuel cell power generating device and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent shortage of gas and increase in the rate of fuel consumption by furnishing a control device having control part, a pressure sensor, amperage command judging circuit, and calculation part for controlling. CONSTITUTION:When a change command 11 for the supply amperage 9A to a load 9 is fed to a control device 1, an amperage command judging means 12 issues a change generate signal 12A. A memory means rivises the fundamental supply amount and emits new fundamental supply amount information. A pressure signal for the fuel gas 3A is given to a calculation part for controlling 14 from a supply amount information transmitter, and the ratio of this pressure signal to the new fundamental supply amount information is computed, and a command pertaining to the amperage 9A to the load 9 is issued. A pressure sensor 6 is mounted on the gas flow passage, and the necessary gas supply amount can be grasped from the pressure value obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell power generator, and an improved fuel cell power generator for appropriately controlling the electric output of the fuel cell in accordance with the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell. Regarding the control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel cells that directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electric energy have become known, and their energy recovery efficiency is relatively high compared to other energy institutions. Moreover, the emission of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other air pollutants is small, so it is expected as a so-called clean energy source. As the fuel cell, depending on the type of electrolyte used, a solid polymer electrolyte type, phosphoric acid type, molten carbonate type,
Various types of fuel cells such as solid oxide type are already known.

A fuel cell power generator according to a conventional example and a control method therefor will be described below with a phosphoric acid fuel cell using phosphoric acid as an electrolyte as a main object.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional fuel cell power generation device together with its load. In FIG. 3, 2 is a known phosphoric acid type fuel cell, 3 is a phosphoric acid type fuel cell (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as fuel cell), 2 is a fuel gas supply for supplying a hydrogen-rich fuel gas 3A An apparatus 4 is an oxidant gas supply apparatus for supplying an oxidant gas 4A such as an atmosphere containing a large amount of oxygen to the fuel cell 2, and a reference numeral 5 is a well-known conversion apparatus for converting direct current electricity generated by the fuel cell 2 into single-phase alternating current electricity. ,
6, 61 and 62 are well-known pressure detectors that are mounted at appropriate positions on the supply-side pipeline 31 through which the fuel gas 3A flows, and that output signals corresponding to the pressure values of the fuel gas 3A at the installed positions. Container 7 is a control device. The fuel cell 2, the fuel gas supply device 3, the oxidant gas supply device 4, the conversion device 5, the pressure detectors 6, 61, 62 and the control device 7 constitute a main part of the fuel cell power generation device 8 according to the conventional example. . The single-phase AC electricity generated by the fuel cell power generator 8 is supplied to the load 9 and used to operate the load 9.

In the fuel gas supply device 3, in this case, which is a raw material of the fuel gas 3A, a storage tank 33 for storing a mixed liquid 33A of methanol and water, a supply of the mixed liquid 33A and its supply amount. A well-known electric pump 34 that also serves as an adjustment,
The mixed solution 33A is attached to a pipe through which the mixed solution 33A flows.
Well-known flow rate detector 35 that outputs a signal corresponding to the flow rate of
A controller 36 for controlling the electric pump 34 to supply a desired amount of the mixed liquid 33A, and a known heater 3 for gasifying the mixed liquid 33A to obtain the raw fuel gas 37A.
7, a fuel reformer 32 that reforms the raw fuel gas 37A by a catalyst to obtain the fuel gas 3A, and a pipe 31 that is installed downstream of the fuel reformer 32 and that is contained in the fuel gas 3A. A well-known filter device 38 for removing fine powder, and a well-known steam / water separator 39 installed in the pipe line 31 on the downstream side of the fuel reformer 32 to remove excess water present in the fuel gas 3A. And are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 36 has
A fuel gas amount command 71A, which will be described later, is input from the control device 7, and the mixed liquid 33A output from the flow rate detector 35 is input.
The signal corresponding to the flow rate is input, and the control device 36 performs feedback control of the electric pump 34 based on these signals so that the flow rate of the mixed liquid 33A becomes the value according to the fuel gas amount command 71A. There is.

The oxidant gas supply device 4 includes an oxidant gas 4
A well-known electric blower 41 that also serves to supply A and adjusts the supply amount thereof, and a control device 42 that controls the electric blower 41 to supply a desired amount of oxidant gas 4A are provided. As is well known, the phosphoric acid type fuel cell 2 has a fuel electrode 2 which is arranged to face each other with a porous electrolyte layer (not shown) containing phosphoric acid as an electrolyte interposed therebetween.
1 and a oxidizer electrode 22 are provided as a unit fuel cell stack. The phosphoric acid fuel cell 2 allows the fuel gas 3A supplied from the fuel gas supply device 3 to flow through the fuel electrode 21 through the pipe 31, and the oxidant gas 4A supplied from the oxidant gas supply device 4 to flow. The hydrogen in the fuel gas 3A and the oxygen in the oxidant gas 4A are electrochemically reacted with each other through the electrolyte layer through the electrolyte layer.
DC electricity is generated between the fuel electrode 21 and the oxidant electrode 22. It should be noted that the fuel gas 3 flowing through the fuel electrode 21 and consuming hydrogen for the above reaction to reduce the hydrogen concentration.
A is a recovery pipe 31A included in the fuel gas supply device 3
It flows through the inside and is collected.

Fuel reformer 3 provided in the fuel gas supply device 3
2 is a reforming catalyst tube 321 having a reforming catalyst filled therein.
And a fuel gas 3A having a reduced hydrogen concentration supplied from the pipe 31A, and a burner 324 for burning the combustion air supplied from the combustion air line 322 in the combustion chamber 323. In the fuel reformer 32, the reforming catalyst pipe 321 heated by the combustion gas of the fuel gas 3A and the combustion air to a temperature suitable for the reforming reaction is used as a raw gas mixture of gaseous methanol and water vapor. The fuel gas 37A is caused to flow, and is reformed into the hydrogen-rich fuel gas 3A by the reforming catalyst. The fuel gas 3A flows through the pipe 31, and the filter device 38
The solid fine powder generated due to breakage of the reforming catalyst is removed, and excess water is removed by the steam separator 39 before being supplied to the fuel cell 2. The fuel exhaust gas generated by the combustion in the combustion chamber 323 is discharged into the atmosphere through the fuel exhaust gas line 325.

The control unit 7 includes a calculation unit 71 and a calculation unit 72.
And a delay unit 73. The calculation unit 71 uses a current 9A to be supplied to the load 9 output from a command source (not shown).
Of the amount of reaction gas that can supply the value of the current 9A corresponding to the command 7A (hereinafter, the fuel gas 3A and the oxidant gas 4A are collectively referred to as such. The amount is calculated based on a well-known theoretical formula based on Faraday's law, and a fuel gas amount command 71A and an oxidant gas amount command 71B are output according to the calculation result. The calculation unit 72 inputs the command 7A, calculates the control amount for controlling the conversion device 5 corresponding to the command 7A, and outputs the command 7A.
Is to increase the value of the current 9A, the control command 72A according to the calculation result is changed to the fuel gas amount command 71
It is output to the delay unit 73 at substantially the same timing as A. Further, when the command 7A has a content to decrease the value of the current 9A, the calculation unit 72 directly outputs the control command 72A according to the calculation result at substantially the same timing as the fuel gas amount command 71A. Output to 5. The delay unit 73, when the command 7A has the content of increasing the value of the current 9A,
The control command 72A corresponding thereto is input, and after a delay time; Δt ₃ described later, a control command 73A having the same content as the control command 72A is output.

By the way, when the fuel gas amount command 71A is output, the fuel gas 3A actually supplied to the fuel cell 2 is supplied.
It takes some time to change the supply amount of the mixed liquid 33A in the fuel gas supply device 3 before the supply amount is changed to the amount based on the fuel gas amount command 71A, or the supply amount is changed. Before the mixed liquid 33A and the fuel gas 3A obtained by reforming the mixed liquid reach the fuel cell 2 through the fuel reformer 32, the filter device 38, the steam separator 39, the pipe 31 and the like. Some time is needed because it is time consuming. The above-mentioned delay time (Δt ₃ ) is a time corresponding to these times.

The converter 5 receives the control commands 72A and 73A output from the controller 7, converts the DC electricity generated by the fuel cell 2 into single-phase AC electricity, and converts the current 9A having a value based on the instruction 7A. Supply to the load 9. Pressure detector 6,6
1 and 62, the pressure detector 6 is at the inlet of the fuel cell 2 in the pipe 31, the pressure detector 61 is at the inlet of the filter device 38 in the pipe 31, and the pressure detector 62 is in the pipe 31.
The signals 6A, 61A, and 62A, which are respectively attached to the inlets of the steam separators 39 and correspond to the pressure values of the fuel gas 3A at the installed positions, are output to an alarm device (not shown) or the like. When the pressure of the fuel gas 3A at the position where the pressure detectors 6, 61, 62 are installed exceeds a predetermined value due to blockage of the flow passage through which the fuel gas 3A flows, signals 6A, 61A, 62A are generated. The alarm device that has input is to issue an alarm to prompt the driver to take measures to the operation of the fuel cell power generator 8.

In the fuel cell power generator 8 according to the conventional example having the above-mentioned configuration, for example, a command; S _A, which is the command 7 _A for supplying the load 9 with the current 9 _A having the current value I _A , is input. If so, the control device 7 issues a command, which is the fuel gas amount command 71A corresponding to this command (S _A );
s _A is output, and the fuel gas supply device 3 receives this command (s _A ) and the mixed liquid 33A of the flow rate; q _A corresponding to the current value (I _A ) is stored in the storage tank 33 by the electric pump 34. Sourced from. Mixture 3 with this flow rate (q _A )
3A is vaporized by being heated by the heater 37, and the raw fuel gas 37
A is supplied to the fuel reformer 32. Raw fuel gas 3
7A is reformed by the fuel reformer 32 into the fuel gas 3A rich in the supply amount: Q _A , and is fed to the fuel electrode 21 of the fuel cell 2 through the filter device 38 and the steam separator 39. Also, the oxidant gas supply unit 4, receives the oxidant gas amount command 71B corresponding to the command 7A which is output from the control unit 7, the supply amount corresponding to the current value (I _A); Q
Oxidant electrode 22 which oxidant gas 4A of _4A has a fuel cell 2
Is supplied to. In the fuel cell 2, a fuel gas 3A are generated direct current electricity corresponding to the supply amount of the the oxidant gas 4A, as a result, current 9A of current to the load 9 from converter 5 (I _A) Is being supplied. Note that the command is a control command 73A from the delay unit 73 when the; i _A is outputted. The above state is shown in the left half of the timing chart shown in FIG.

Here, taking the pressure detector 6 as an example, the signals output by the pressure detector 6 and the like will be described. Since the pressure detector 6 is installed in the conduit 31 located at the inlet of the fuel cell 2, the pressure value detected by the pressure detector 6 is the supply amount (Q _A ) of the fuel gas 3A of the fuel cell 2. It corresponds substantially to the pressure drop value generated in the fuel electrode 21 which 2 has. As is well known, this pressure drop value has a relationship approximately proportional to the square of the supply amount (Q _A ), so that the signal output from the pressure detector 6 is eventually the supply amount (Q _A). ) Is a signal that almost corresponds to.

In the fuel cell power generator 8 operating in this state, as shown in the right half of FIG. 4, at time t ₀ ,
_A current value that is larger than the current value (IA) in the load 9;
It is assumed that the command; S _B, which is the command 7A in which the command value for supplying the current 9A having I _B is changed, is input. From the control device 7, almost instantly, and thus at almost the time (t ₀ ).
In the fuel gas amount command 71A corresponding to the command (S _B)
Is output; s _B is output. In the fuel gas supply system 3 receives the command (s _B), flow a current value of the mixed solution 33A (I _B) corresponding to the flow rate; q immediately electric pump 34 in order to increase the _B starts accelerating , Reaches the flow rate (q _B ) in a relatively short time. However, the supply amount of the fuel gas 3A supplied to the fuel cell 2, the delay time from the time (t ₀₎ for the reasons mentioned above; boosting is started at about t _1; time of Delta] t ₁ delayed. Then, the supply amount of the fuel gas. 3A followed by increased people ordinal, time (t ₀₎ delay time; Delta] t ₂ delayed by time; turned around t _2, the supply amount corresponding to the current value (I _B); so that the fuel gas 3A of Q _B is supplied to the fuel cell 2.

The control command 73A given from the controller 7 to the converter 5 is the delay time (Δ) of the fuel gas 3A.
In consideration of the supply delay due to t ₁ ), (Δt ₂ ), a delay is taken into consideration with some allowance; the time after the lapse of the delay time (Δt ₃ ) which is slightly longer than Δt ₂ ; control at t ₃ . from the device 7, the command corresponding to the current value (I _B); i _B is output. Thus, the fuel cell power generation device 8, it becomes possible to supply current value based on a command 7A after being changed current 9A of (I _B) to the load 9.

In the above description with reference to FIG. 4, the case where the current 9A supplied to the load 9 is increased has been described. However, even when the current 9A is decreased, the utilization rate of hydrogen as described below is 100 [. %], The following measures are taken. That is, the current 9
When the command 7A for decreasing the value of A is input, the control device 7 controls the command 71A for reducing the supply amount of the fuel gas 3A; Q, and the command for reducing the supply amount of the oxidant gas 4A; Q _4. 71B and the conversion device 5 at the same time
In addition, the control command 72A for directly reducing the value of the current 9A is directly output without passing through the delay unit 73.

By the way, the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 2
3A supply amount (Q) and oxidant gas 4A supply amount (Q
_Four) Is a direct current corresponding to the current 9 A that the fuel cell 2 should generate.
Is it a theoretical formula based on Faraday's law, corresponding to the current value?
Based on the theoretical consumption of hydrogen and oxygen that can be obtained from
It is generally used. Actually, the supply amount (Q),
(Q_Four) Is more than the amount corresponding to the theoretical consumption mentioned above.
The amount of supply corresponding to the theoretical amount of consumption
(Q), (Q_Four) Value of the actual supply (Q),
(Q _Four) Value is called the utilization rate,
The actual supply amount (Q), (Q_Four) Manage
There is.

The fuel cell 2 has a property that the relationship between the output current and the voltage greatly depends on this utilization factor, and in particular, the utilization factor relating to hydrogen [that is, relating to the supply amount (Q)] becomes large. As it approaches [%], the output voltage value for the same output current value decreases, the power generation efficiency decreases, and the life of the fuel cell 2 tends to decrease. On the contrary, the smaller utilization factor means the flow rate of the mixed liquid 33A for the same output current value; q (for hydrogen), or the supply amount of the oxidant gas 4A (Q ₄ ).
(In terms of oxygen) is increased, and by supplying more fuel and oxidant than necessary, and by supplying more fuel and oxidant than necessary, auxiliary machinery such as the electric pump 34 and the electric blower 41 can be used. The efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device 8 decreases due to an increase in the amount of power consumed.

Considering these things comprehensively, in the fuel cell power generator 8, the hydrogen utilization rate is usually 70-80.
[%] Level, and it is cheap because the raw material is the atmosphere,
Further, the utilization rate of oxygen which does not require the reforming process is set to about 40 to 60%, which is smaller than the utilization rate of hydrogen.
For this reason, in the fuel gas supply device 3 which supplies the fuel gas, the flow rate of the mixed liquid 33A is constantly set to the fuel gas amount command 71.
In order to obtain a value corresponding to A, the electric pump 34 is controlled by feedback control.
However, in the oxidant gas supply device 4, of course, feedback control may be performed on the electric blower 41, but the oxidant gas supply device 4 supplies the oxidant gas with a low utilization rate. Therefore, in many cases, the fuel cell power generator 8 adopts a simple control corresponding to only the oxidant gas amount command 71B.

As the raw material of the fuel gas 3A, other than the above-mentioned mixed liquid 33A of methanol and water, for example, a method of individually supplying methanol and water or steam, or a method of using natural gas or the like as a raw fuel. Is also known. The conversion device 5 is a device that converts direct current electricity into multi-phase alternating current electricity in addition to converting the direct current electricity into single-phase alternating current electricity, and the voltage changes depending on the output current value generated by the fuel cell 2. There is also known a device or the like that outputs a direct current voltage of a constant value regardless of the current value.

[0020]

The fuel cell power generator 8 according to the above-mentioned prior art supplies the load 9 with electric power in a sufficiently stable manner if the fluctuation is relatively gentle with respect to the fluctuating load. It is possible to However, the conventional fuel cell power generator 8 has the following problems. That is, in the control device 7, for example, when the current 9A is increased, the control command 73A to the conversion device 5 is set in consideration of the response delay of the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A, and further safety is taken into consideration. Delay time (Δt
Since the output is delayed by ₃ ), the current 9A output from the converter 5 is the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A corresponding to the command 7A, in the case of the example illustrated in FIG.
After reaching, the time difference according to the equation (1); the value corresponding to the command 7A is set due to the delay of Δt.

[0021]

## EQU1 ## Δt = Δt ₃ −Δt ₂ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. It is inevitable to prevent the hydrogen content in 3A from becoming zero. However, this means that the fuel gas 3A based on the supply amount (Q _B ) is used only for the supply amount (Q _A ) at least during the time difference (Δt). Further, when the current 9A is decreased, at least the time corresponding to the delay time (Δt ₁ ), part of the fuel gas 3A does not contribute to the generation of the current. For these reasons, when the operation in which the value of the current 9A is frequently changed by the command 7A is performed, the fuel consumption rate of the fuel cell power generation device 8 is significantly increased. The existence of the time difference (Δt) pointed out in the above section corresponds to the time required for changing the value of the current 9A [delay time (Δt ₃ )]. ] Also becomes longer by this time difference (Δt). This makes it difficult to respond promptly to changes in the current value required by the load. Further, since the delay time (Δt ₂ ) is generated by various factors as described above, it is extremely difficult to accurately calculate its value. For this reason, it is general that a test is performed at the time of completion of manufacturing the fuel cell power generator 8 and the delay time (Δt ₃ ) is set based on the delay time obtained from the test. However, while the fuel cell power generator 8 is operated for a long time, the delay time (Δt ₂ ) changes greatly due to the aging of the above-mentioned factors or the occurrence of an unexpected situation. It does not mean that it is longer than Δt ₃ ). When the delay time (Δt ₂ ) becomes longer than the delay time (Δt ₃ ), when the command 7A for increasing the value of the current 9A is input, the supply amount of the fuel gas 3A becomes short, but is insufficient. Utilization rate of hydrogen is 10
It becomes 0 [%] (hereinafter, this may be referred to as a gas shortage), and the fuel cell 2 may be damaged.

Up to now, the problems of the fuel cell power generation device have been described for the phosphoric acid type fuel cell, but when the solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell is adopted as the fuel cell,
Since it requires a fuel reformer, it has almost the same problems as the phosphoric acid fuel cell. Further, when a molten carbonate type or solid oxide type fuel cell is adopted as the fuel cell, a fuel reformer is not generally required, but a vaporizer may be required depending on the raw fuel used,
Further, there may be a case where the fuel cell is relatively separated from the raw fuel source, and in such a case, the same problem as in the case of the phosphoric acid type fuel cell occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is not to run out of gas and to reduce the fuel consumption rate even when the output current fluctuates. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell power generation device that does not increase and a control method thereof.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, the above objects are as follows: 1) A fuel cell for supplying direct current electricity to a fuel cell and a fuel gas for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell. A supply device, an oxidant gas supply device that supplies an oxidant gas to the fuel cell, and a conversion device that converts direct current electricity generated by the fuel cell into alternating current electricity or direct current electricity having a different voltage or the like and supplies the load. A fuel cell power generation device comprising: a control device having a calculation unit that outputs a command relating to a fuel gas supply amount to be supplied by a fuel gas supply device in accordance with a value of a current required to be supplied to a load. Is provided with a supply amount information transmitter for outputting a signal corresponding to the supply amount of the fuel gas, in a flow passage through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is passed. Output from A signal is input, and a converter is provided with a controller that outputs a command relating to the current value to be output to the load in response to this signal. 2) In the means described in 1 above, the controller is The control unit that is provided determines whether or not there is a change in the command related to the current value input to the control device and the control device, and outputs a change generation signal when the commanded current value changes. A value command determination means and a storage means for storing the basic supply amount information are provided, and the storage means does not change the fuel gas supply amount after the time when the change occurrence signal is output from the current value command determination means. The signal output by the supply amount information transmitter in the period when it does not occur is held as the basic supply amount information until at least a new change occurrence signal is output, and the control arithmetic unit is configured to hold the above-mentioned basic supply amount information. To quantity information The ratio of the signal output by the supply amount information transmitter is calculated, and the converter outputs a command related to the current value to be output to the load in accordance with the calculated ratio. 3) The above item 1 Alternatively, in the means described in the paragraph 2, the supply amount information transmitter is attached to a flow passage through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows, and a signal corresponding to the pressure value of the fuel gas at the attached position. And a fuel cell for generating direct current electricity by receiving supply of fuel gas and oxidant gas, and a fuel gas supply device for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, An oxidant gas supply device that supplies an oxidant gas to the fuel cell, a converter that converts the DC electricity generated by the fuel cell into AC electricity or DC electricity with a different voltage, and supplies it to the load. Fuel The fuel gas supply device supplies the supply amount information transmitter, which is installed in the flow passage for flowing the gas and outputs a signal corresponding to the supply amount of the fuel gas, and the value of the current required to be supplied to the load. The calculation unit that outputs a command regarding the fuel gas supply amount to be input, and the signal output from the above-mentioned supply amount information transmitter are input, and a command regarding the current value that the conversion device should output to the load is input in response to this signal. A control method of a fuel cell power generator including a control device having a control unit for outputting, a control procedure for determining whether or not a command regarding a current value input to the control device has changed, and a commanded current value. If there is a change, the control procedure for outputting the change generation signal, and the supply amount information transmitter during the period after the change generation signal is output and the fuel gas supply amount has not changed yet. Signal output by , A control procedure for storing in the storage means as basic supply amount information, and a control procedure for calculating the ratio of signals output by the supply amount information transmitter after the change occurrence signal for the basic supply amount information is input, A control method comprising a control procedure in which the conversion device outputs a command relating to a current value to be output to a load in correspondence with the calculated ratio.
5) In the means described in 4) above, the supply amount information transmitter is mounted in a flow passage through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows, and the pressure value of the fuel gas at the installed position The control method is a pressure detector that emits a corresponding signal.

[0025]

According to the present invention, in the fuel cell power generator, when the command for changing the value of the current supplied to the load is input to the control device by the above configuration and the control method, First, the current value command determination means determines that the commanded current value has changed, and outputs a change occurrence signal. The storage means that has received this change occurrence signal modifies the basic supply amount information to be stored and outputs this new basic supply amount information. The control calculation unit calculates the ratio between the signal output from the supply amount information transmitter and the new basic supply amount information, and the current which the converter should output to the load in correspondence with the calculated ratio. Outputs the command related to the value. Using the signal output by this supply amount information transmitter, take the ratio of the output signal of the supply amount information transmitter input as the basic supply amount information and the output signal of the supply amount information transmitter at every moment. First, it is possible to grasp the current value regarding the rate of change of the supply amount of the fuel gas after the basic supply amount information is input. By outputting a command related to the current value that the conversion device should output to the load in accordance with the change rate of the supply amount of the fuel gas, the conversion device responds to the current value output by the fuel cell according to the supply amount of the fuel gas. It becomes possible to output a current having the specified value to the load. Further, as the supply amount information transmitter, a pressure detector which is mounted on the flow passage through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows and which transmits a signal corresponding to the pressure value of the fuel gas at the mounted position is used. Therefore, the pressure value of the fuel gas at the position where the pressure detector detected by the pressure detector is installed;
As is well known, p has the relationship of the equation (2) with respect to the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas, and is necessary to obtain the action described in the above term from the pressure value (p). The amount of supply (Q) can be grasped.

[0026]

[Equation 2] p∝Q ² …………………… (2)

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a fuel cell power generator according to an embodiment of the present invention together with its load. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those of the conventional fuel cell power generator shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. It should be noted that, in FIG. 1, as for the reference numerals given in FIG. 3, only representative reference numerals are shown.

In FIG. 1, 8A is a fuel cell power generator in which the controller 1 is used instead of the controller 7 in the conventional fuel cell power generator 8 shown in FIG. The control device 1 uses the control unit 11 instead of the calculation unit 72 and the delay unit 73 in the control device 7. The control unit 11 includes a current value command determination circuit unit 12 that is a current value command determination unit and a storage circuit unit 1 that is a storage unit.
3 and a control calculation unit 14. Further, the fuel cell power generator 8A is provided with a pressure detector 6 as a supply amount information transmitter, which the fuel cell power generator 8 is provided for issuing an alarm.
The signal 6A corresponding to the pressure value of the fuel gas 3A output from the pressure detector 6 is used as the information of the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A.

The current value command discriminating circuit section 12 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the circuit section 12) is, for example, a command 7.
A memory circuit that stores A and a comparison circuit that compares the contents stored in this memory circuit with a new command 7A are provided, and the command 7A is input, and there is a change in the current value commanded by the command 7A. If there is a new command 7A
Of the change generation signal 1 from the comparison circuit.
2A (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as signal 12A)
Is output.

The memory circuit section 13 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the circuit section 13) is a circuit for storing a basic pressure value; p ₀ , and the pressure value output from the pressure detector 6; p.
_When the signal 6A corresponding to 6 and the signal 12A are input and the signal 12A is output from the circuit unit 12, the pressure value input at that time; p ₆ is stored as the basic pressure value (p ₀ ). Signal 1 corresponding to the basic pressure value (p ₀ )
Output 3A.

Control arithmetic unit 14 (hereinafter, simply arithmetic unit 14
May be abbreviated. ) Inputs the command 7A, the signal 6A and the signal 13A, calculates the ratio of the momentary pressure value (p ₆ ) to the basic pressure value (p ₀ ) and corresponds to this calculated ratio. Pressure value according to (2) (p)
And the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A, the fuel gas 3A
The present value of the supply amount (Q) of the
A command 11A relating to the value of the current 9A to be output to the converter 5 is output to the converter 5.

FIG. 2 shows a time chart of main amounts of the fuel cell power generator 8A controlled by the controller 1 having the above-mentioned structure. The same parts as those in FIG. 4, which is a time chart showing the fuel cell power generator 8 of the conventional example, are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Fuel cell power generator 8
As shown in the right half of FIG. 2, the time (t
_0), the current value in the load 9 (current value is larger than I _A) (command command value to case supply a current 9A with I _B) is a command 7A has changed (S _B) is input Suppose In this case, the arithmetic unit 71 included in the control device 1 performs the same change operation as the arithmetic unit 71 included in the control device 7 according to the conventional example. On the other hand, in the circuit section 12, the command 7A commands (S
Signal 12 to determine that it has changed to a command from _A) (S _B)
Output A. The circuit unit 13 receiving the signal 12A,
The stored basic pressure value (p ₀ ) is changed to the pressure value (p ₆ ) at the time (t ₀ ) and thereafter, the signal 13A corresponding to the changed basic pressure value (p ₀ ) is output. Computing unit 14
Is a signal 6A that is output momentarily with respect to the signal 13A.
[This is a signal corresponding to the pressure value (p ₆ ) output from the pressure detector 6. ], And the converter 9 outputs the current 9 to be output to the load 9 in accordance with the calculated ratio.
The command 11A regarding the value of A is output. Therefore, the command 11A has almost the same shape as the change in the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A with respect to time.

Therefore, the current value of the direct current output by the reaction gas supplied to the fuel cell 2 is the current 9 output from the converter 5 to the load 9 as shown in FIG.
It corresponds to the value of A. As a result, the fuel gas 3
Delay time (Δt ₁ ) related to the supply amount (Q) of A, (Δt
_{Even if 2} ) changes due to aging, etc., the command 11A corresponding to the delay time (Δt ₁ ) and (Δt ₂ ) after the change
Is output, the utilization rate of hydrogen in the fuel cell 2 can be made substantially constant at any time, and it becomes possible to eliminate the occurrence of gas shortage, and
It is also possible to eliminate the problem that a large amount of fuel gas 3A does not contribute to the generation of electric current.

Further, since the command 11A has the same shape as the change of the supply amount (Q) of the fuel gas 3A with respect to time, the time difference according to the formula (1) existing in the fuel cell power generator 8 of the conventional example is shown. Since it is not necessary to provide (Δt), it becomes easy to quickly deal with the fluctuation of the value of the current 9A required by the load 9. In the above description, the pressure detector used as the supply amount information transmitter is the pressure detector 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example,
It may be the pressure detector 61 or the pressure detector 62. However, the pressure detector 61 is used as a supply amount information transmitter.
When the pressure detector 62 is adopted, the delay time from the installation position of the pressure detectors 61, 62 with respect to the pipeline 31 is shorter than that when the pressure detector 6 is used as the supply amount information transmitter. The output of the signal corresponding to the pressure change is started. At that time, unlike the case of the pressure detector 6, the supply amount of the fuel gas 3A after the change has not yet reached the fuel cell 2. Therefore, in this case, the pressure detector 6
The signals output from 1, 62 and the like need to be processed in anticipation of the reduced delay time.

In the above description, the supply amount information transmitter is assumed to be a pressure detector. However, the supply amount information transmitter is not limited to this. For example, a flow rate detector for outputting a signal corresponding to the flow rate of fuel gas. May be However, in the case of using a pressure detector, the pressure detector that was conventionally installed for alarms, etc. can be used, while in the case of using a flow rate detector, a flow rate detector is newly installed in the pipeline for supplying fuel gas, etc. Must be installed.

[0036]

According to the present invention, as the above-mentioned configuration and control method, even under an operating condition in which the current value output by the fuel cell power generator fluctuates, the utilization rate of hydrogen is substantially constant at any time. And by this, the time difference (Δ
Since it is not necessary to provide t), there are the following effects. That is, even if the delay time of the increase / decrease of the fuel gas becomes long due to the change with time of the equipment, the occurrence of gas shortage is prevented.
Further, even under an operating condition in which the current value output by the fuel cell power generator frequently changes, the fuel consumption rate is prevented from increasing. Further, even under an operating condition in which the current value output by the fuel cell power generator frequently changes, a quick response to the current value change becomes possible. In addition, by using a pressure detector for the supply amount information transmitter, in order to obtain the effects of the above items,
Since it is possible to use the pressure detector that has been conventionally installed for an alarm or the like, it is possible to prevent the structure of the fuel cell power generator from becoming complicated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a fuel cell power generator according to an embodiment of the present invention together with its load.

2 is a time chart of the main quantities of the fuel cell power plant according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional fuel cell power generator together with its load.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of the main quantities of the fuel cell power plant according to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 control device 11 control part 11A command 12 current value command discrimination circuit part 12A signal 13 memory circuit part 13A signal 14 control calculation part 3A fuel gas 6 pressure detector 6A signal 7A command 8A fuel cell power generator 9 load 9A current

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell for generating direct current electricity by receiving supply of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply device for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and an oxidizer for supplying the oxidant gas to the fuel cell. An agent gas supply device, a conversion device that converts direct current electricity generated by a fuel cell into alternating current electricity or direct current electricity having a different voltage or the like and supplies it to a load, and a fuel gas corresponding to the value of the current required to be supplied to the load. In a fuel cell power generation device including a control device having a calculation unit that outputs a command relating to the fuel gas supply amount to be supplied by the gas supply device, the fuel cell power generation device passes the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell. The flow path is equipped with a supply amount information transmitter that outputs a signal corresponding to the supply amount of the fuel gas, and the control device inputs the signal output from the above-mentioned supply amount information transmitter and makes it correspond to this signal. Conversion device Fuel cell power generation system characterized by comprising a control unit for outputting a command regarding a current value to be output to the load. 2. The fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit included in the control device determines whether or not there is a change in a command regarding the current value input to the control calculation unit and the control device. When the changed current value has a change, the current value command determination means for outputting the change generation signal and the storage means for storing the basic supply amount information are provided. At least a new change occurrence signal is used as the basic supply amount information, which is the signal output by the supply amount information transmitter in the period after the output from the determination means and the change in the fuel gas supply amount has not yet occurred. The control calculation unit calculates the ratio of the signal output by the supply amount information transmitter to the basic supply amount information, and the conversion device corresponds to the calculated ratio. Out to the load A fuel cell power generation device, which outputs a command related to a current value to be applied. 3. The fuel cell power generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply amount information transmitter is mounted in a flow passage through which fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows, and at the position where it is mounted. A fuel cell power generator, which is a pressure detector that emits a signal corresponding to a pressure value of fuel gas. 4. A fuel cell for generating direct current electricity by receiving supply of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply device for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and an oxidizer for supplying the oxidant gas to the fuel cell. An agent gas supply device, a conversion device that converts direct current electricity generated by a fuel cell into alternating current electricity or direct current electricity having a different voltage, and supplies the load to a load, and a flow path through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows. A supply amount information transmitter mounted on the vehicle and outputting a signal corresponding to the supply amount of the fuel gas, and a command regarding the fuel gas supply amount to be supplied by the fuel gas supply device corresponding to the value of the current required to be supplied to the load. And a control unit that inputs a signal output from the supply amount information transmitter and outputs a command related to a current value to be output to the load by the conversion device in response to this signal. Device with fuel A control method for a battery power generator, in which a control procedure for determining whether or not a command related to the current value input to the control device has changed, and a change occurrence signal is output when the commanded current value has changed And the signal output by the supply amount information transmitter in the period after the change generation signal is output and when the fuel gas supply amount has not changed yet are stored as basic supply amount information. The control procedure stored in the means, the control procedure for calculating the ratio of the signal output by the supply amount information transmitter after the change generation signal for the basic supply amount information is input, and the control ratio corresponding to this calculated ratio. And a control procedure for outputting a command related to a current value that the conversion device should output to the load. 5. The method of controlling a fuel cell power generator according to claim 4, wherein the supply amount information transmitter is mounted in a passage through which the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell flows, and the position where it is mounted. A method for controlling a fuel cell power generator, which is a pressure detector that emits a signal corresponding to the pressure value of the fuel gas in.