Abstract:
Provided are a fuel cell system capable of shortening the wait time of an observer who confirms set points of a system interconnection protective device before starting a system interconnection operation, and a method for operating the fuel cell system.A fuel cell system 100 includes: a hydrogen generating unit 16 configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material; a heater 18 configured to heat the hydrogen generating unit; an electric power generation start command unit 32 configured to receive a command of start of an electric power generating operation of the fuel cell system, the command being input by a manual operation of an operator, the electric power generating operation being interconnected with an electric power system; and a controller 28 configured to: execute electric power generation stand-by, in which the fuel cell system stands by for the start of the electric power generating operation interconnected with the electric power system, while executing a temperature maintaining process of the hydrogen generating unit by the heater after completion of a temperature increasing process of the hydrogen generating unit by the heater; and when the electric power generation start command unit receives the command of the start of the electric power generating operation, stop the electric power generation stand-by and start the electric power generating operation interconnected with the electric power system.
Abstract:
A hydrogen generation apparatus (100) includes: a reformer (10) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material and steam; a raw material passage (21) through which the raw material that is supplied to the reformer (10) flows; a hydrodesulfurizer (13) provided downstream from a most downstream valve (11) on the raw material passage (21) and configured to remove a sulfur compound from the raw material; a sealer (15) provided on a passage (24) downstream from the reformer (10) and configured to block communication between the reformer (10) and the atmosphere; and a depressurizer (16) provided on the raw material passage (21) at a portion connecting the hydrodesulfurizer (13) and the reformer (10) and configured to release, to the atmosphere, pressure in the reformer (10) that has increased after the sealer (15) is closed.
Abstract:
A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hydrogen generator configured to generate a fuel gas through a reforming reaction by using a raw fuel; a combustor configured to heat the hydrogen generator; an on-off valve configured to open/block a gas passage through which the gas that is sent out from the hydrogen generator is supplied to the combustor; a combustion air supply device configured to supply combustion air to the combustor; an ignition device provided at the combustor; and a controller. In a case where flame extinction has occurred at the combustor during generation of a hydrogen-containing gas in a start-up process, the controller performs an ignition operation of the ignition device with the on-off valve kept opened.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system (301) of the present invention comprises a fuel cell (1); a water circulating path (9) through which water associated with an operation of the fuel cell (1) circulates; a water circulator (10) for circulating water in the water circulating path (9); a heater (14) for heating the water circulating path (9); a first abnormality detector (29, 30) for detecting a first abnormality which is an abnormality relating to leakage of water from the water circulating path (9); and a controller (16); the fuel cell system being configured to cause the water circulator (10) to perform a water circulating operation for circulating the water in the water circulating path (9) and cause the heater (14) to perform a heating operation for heating the water circulating path (9), to suppress freezing in the water circulating path, wherein the controller (16) is configured to inhibit the water circulating operation for suppressing freezing and not to inhibit the heating operation for suppressing freezing, in a case where the fuel cell system (301) is shut down in response to detection of the first abnormality by the first abnormality detector (29, 30).
Abstract:
A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power using a hydrogen-containing fuel gas; a combustible gas path (4, 17, 1a) including a fuel gas channel (1a) of the fuel cell; 0 a shutoff valve (21) disposed on the combustible gas path, located upstream of the fuel cell, to close when the fuel cell stops generating the electric power; a casing (11) containing the fuel cell, the combustible gas path, and the shutoff valve; a ventilation fan (12) configured to ventilate the casing; a stop unit (51, 52) configured to stop a ventilation operation of the ventilation fan by a manual operation of an operator; and a controller (10) configured to, when leakage of a combustible gas occurs in the casing, execute the ventilation operation of the ventilation fan as long as the ventilation operation is not stopped by the stop unit.
Abstract:
A method for operating a fuel cell system having a fuel cell equipped with an anode and a cathode includes the steps of generating electric power by allowing hydrogen gas supplied to the anode and oxygen gas supplied to the cathode to react electrochemically with each other, recovering water from water vapor discharged from at least one of the anode and cathode, storing recovered water in a water storing portion equipped with a tank having a closable drain opening, through which opening water stored in the tank is dischargeable to outside the fuel cell system, supplying water stored in the tank to a water utilizing means by a water supply portion, and making a decision whether or not to discharge the stored water to outside the fuel cell system through the drain opening in view of an increase in an amount of undesirable germs contained in water stored in the water storing portion.
Abstract:
A hydrogen generation device or a fuel cell system of the present invention can prevent deterioration or breakage of portions of the hydrogen generation device, which is caused by thermal stress attributable to repeated operation and halt. Thus, it is possible to increase the life and enhance the stability of the device and the system.A hydrogen generation device 76 of a fuel cell system 100 includes a hydrogen generation device main body 78 including a combustor 4 provided therein for combusting a predetermined medium capable of generating hydrogen and a plurality of pipes which are connected to the hydrogen generation device main body 78 for allowing the predetermined medium flow into or out of the hydrogen generation device main body 78. A temperature gradient is formed in the hydrogen generation device main body 78 by operation of the combustor 4, whereby a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion are formed in the hydrogen generation device main body 78. All of the plurality of pipes are arranged in the low temperature portion. A support 70 supports the hydrogen generation device main body 78 from an outside of the low temperature portion.
Abstract:
A hydrogen generator comprises a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction in an internal space thereof using a material gas and steam; a material gas supply passage through which the material gas is supplied to the reformer; a material gas supplier which is provided at the material gas supply passage to supply the material gas to the reformer; a first valve configured to open and close the material gas supply passage; an evaporator configured to generate a steam supplied to the reformer; a water supplier configured to supply water to the evaporator; a communicating passage for allowing the reformer to communicate with atmosphere; a second valve configured to open and close the communicating passage; and a controller configured to stop the material gas supplier and the water supplier and close the first valve and the second valve at shutdown of the hydrogen generator; and open the second valve prior to opening the first valve when the material gas supplier resumes supply of the material gas to the reformer after the shutdown.
Abstract:
A hydrogen purifying apparatus and method are provided for oxidizing and removing carbon monoxide (CO) in a modified gas containing CO in addition to a main component hydrogen gas. The apparatus and method use comprises a catalyst reaction segment having a catalyst layer for oxidizing CO, a material gas supplying segment for supplying the modified gas to the reaction segment via a material gas supply pathway, and an oxidant gas supplying segment for supplying an oxidant gas on the path of the material gas supply pathway. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for cooling the catalyst layer at the upstream side and means for heating the catalyst layer at the downstream side.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-rich gas, a shift converter (2) configured to generate hydrogen and carbon dioxide from carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-rich gas and water, a hydrogen generator (20) including a carbon monoxide removing portion (3) configured to reduce the carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-rich gas which has not been removed in said shift converter (2), a fuel cell (4) configured to generate power using the hydrogen-rich gas supplied from the hydrogen generator (20) and an oxidizing gas, an air supply portion (6, 9) configured to supply air to at least one of a position upstream of said reformer (1) and a position between said carbon monoxide removing portion (3) and said fuel cell (4) in a flow of the fuel gas; and an impurity removing means (12, 13) configured to remove an impurity gas from the air.