Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/CN100511800C/en
Timestamp: 2020-04-03 12:16:44
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CN100511800C - Gas leak detection device and fuel cell system - Google Patents
Gas leak detection device and fuel cell system Download PDF
CN100511800C
CN100511800C CNB2005800408005A CN200580040800A CN100511800C CN 100511800 C CN100511800 C CN 100511800C CN B2005800408005 A CNB2005800408005 A CN B2005800408005A CN 200580040800 A CN200580040800 A CN 200580040800A CN 100511800 C CN100511800 C CN 100511800C
CNB2005800408005A
CN101065874K1 (en
CN101065874A (en
末松启吾
横山龙昭
马屋原健司
友定伸浩
2004-11-29 Priority to JP343259/2004 priority Critical
2004-11-29 Priority to JP2004343259 priority
2005-11-11 Priority to JP2005327305A priority patent/JP4730064B2/en
2005-11-11 Priority to JP327305/2005 priority
2005-11-28 Application filed by 丰田自动车株式会社 filed Critical 丰田自动车株式会社
2007-10-31 Publication of CN101065874K1 publication Critical patent/CN101065874K1/zh
2007-10-31 Publication of CN101065874A publication Critical patent/CN101065874A/en
2009-07-08 Publication of CN100511800C publication Critical patent/CN100511800C/en
In a fuel cell system (100), the amount of fuel gas supplied through an fuel gas supply passage (24) and the amount of fuel gas consumed by a fuel cell (10) are detected. A difference between the amount of supplied fuel gas and the amount of consumed fuel gas is calculated by subtracting the amount of consumed fuel gas from the amount of supplied fuel gas. The pressure of the fuel gas in a leak detection passage (Cx), the change in the pressure of the detected fuel gas can be detected, and the change in the amount of fuel gas in the gas leak detection passage (Cx) due to the change in the pressure of the fuel gas can thus be detected. The difference is corrected by subtracting the change in the amount of fuel gas in the gas leak detection passage from the difference. When the corrected difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a fuel gas leak is detected in the leak detection passage (Cx).
The present invention relates to be used for survey the method and apparatus of the gas leakage in fuel of fuel cell system.
Recently, fuel cell is received publicity as the new energy.Fuel cell uses oxygen and suitable fuel gas such as hydrogen to produce electric power.Typical fuel cell system comprises fuel gas service duct, fuel gas discharge channel and gas circulation channel.Fuel gas offers fuel cell by the fuel gas service duct.Fuel gas is discharged (discharging) by fuel gas discharge channel from fuel electrode (below, be called " anode ").The fuel gas of discharging is back to the fuel gas service duct by gas circulation channel.Below, other passages that fuel gas service duct, fuel gas discharge channel, gas circulation channel and fuel gas can pass through will jointly be called " anode system passage ".
The technology that can survey the gas leakage in fuel in the anode system passage is known.The example of this technology is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No JP2004-281132A (below, be called " JP2004-281132A).Specifically, JP2004-281132A described by the fuel gas scale of construction that flows in the anode system passage that will be surveyed by hydrogen flowmeter (HFM) or the like with produce the fuel gas scale of construction that electric power consumes by fuel cell, electrolyte membrane by fuel cell is compared from (discharging) gas flow that the anode system passage flows to the fuel gas scale of construction of oxygen electrode and the discharge by fuel gas discharge channel, comes the probe gas leakage.
That is, according to disclosing of JP2004-281132A, by the fuel gas scale of construction and 1 that flows in the anode system passage that will survey) produce power consumption by fuel cell, 2) flow to oxygen electrode from the electrolyte membrane of anode system passage by fuel cell, and 3) compare by the fuel gas scale of construction of fuel gas discharge channel discharge (discharging), probe gas leaks, because these are the factors that cause the detection amount fluctuation of fuel gas mobile in the anode system passage.But disclosed technology does not consider to cause other factors of fuel gas scale of construction fluctuation mobile in the anode system passage among the JP2004-281132A, so this technology has reduced the gas leakage precision of detection.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of technology that can improve the accuracy of surveying the gas leakage in fuel in the fuel cell.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of gas leak detection device that is used for surveying the gas leakage in fuel of fuel cell system.This fuel cell system comprises fuel cell, fuel gas source of supply, service duct, discharge-channel and vent valve.Fuel gas offers fuel cell by service duct from the fuel gas source of supply.Fuel gas is discharged from fuel cell by discharge-channel.Vent valve is set in discharge-channel, and this vent valve is adjusted the fuel gas scale of construction of discharging from fuel cell.Gas leak detection device comprises the supply detector in the service duct, and this supply detector is surveyed the supplied fuel gas flow.This service duct comprises the first passage that is positioned at supply detector downstream.This fuel cell comprises the second channel by its flowing fuel gas.This discharge-channel comprises the third channel that is positioned at the vent valve upstream.This gas leak detection device also comprises consumption calculating device, pressure detector, variable quantity calculator, residual quantity calculator and gas leakage in fuel detector.This consumption calculating device calculates the fuel gas scale of construction that is consumed by fuel cell.This pressure detector is surveyed the pressure of the fuel gas in this gas leakage detection channels, and this gas leakage detection channels comprises first passage, second channel and third channel.The pressure that this variable quantity calculator uses the pressure of surveying to obtain fuel gas changes, and calculates the variable quantity that changes the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels that causes owing to the pressure of fuel gas.This residual quantity calculator is by the variable quantity of the fuel gas the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage that deducts consumption from the supplied fuel gas flow, calculates the difference between the fuel gas variable quantity sum in the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage of the detection amount of supplied fuel gas and consumption.When this difference is equal to or greater than first predetermined value, there is gas leakage in fuel in this gas leakage in fuel detector judgement gas leakage detection channels.
Gas leak detection device with said structure can judge whether there is gas leakage in fuel exactly, even when the operating state owing to fuel cell changes the pressure variation that causes the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels.
This gas leakage detection channels also can comprise circulation canal.In supply position of detector downstream, an end of circulation canal is connected to service duct, and the other end of circulation canal is connected to discharge-channel.This fuel gas is back to service duct by circulation canal from discharge-channel, so that can reuse this fuel gas.
Utilize this structure, this gas leak detection device can be surveyed any gas leakage in fuel that exists in the circulation canal.
This fuel cell system can be included in the circulating pump that is provided with in the circulation canal, and this circulating pump transmits fuel gas to service duct from discharge-channel.This gas leak detection device can comprise and is used to proofread and correct the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector to reduce the correction portion of the pulsation influence that is produced by circulating pump.This residual quantity calculator calculates this difference by the variable quantity of the fuel gas in the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage that deducts consumption from the correcting value of supplied fuel gas.
This structure reduces because the variable quantity by the fuel supplying gas of supply detector detection that the pulsation of circulating pump causes.Therefore, this supply detector can be surveyed the supplied fuel gas flow exactly.
This gas leak detection device can comprise infiltration fuel gas scale of construction detector, and this infiltration fuel gas scale of construction detector is surveyed the fuel gas scale of construction that flows to the oxygen electrode of fuel cell from fuel electrode by the electrolyte membrane of fuel cell.This residual quantity calculator by from the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector, deduct the fuel gas scale of construction of consumption, in the gas leakage detection channels fuel gas variable quantity and flow out to the fuel gas scale of construction of oxygen electrode from fuel electrode by electrolyte membrane, can calculate the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed with by the fuel gas scale of construction of consumption, in the gas leakage detection channels fuel gas variable quantity and flow to difference between the summation that the fuel gas scale of construction of oxygen electrode formed from fuel electrode by electrolyte membrane.
Utilize this structure, this gas leak detection device can be surveyed fuel gas flows to the oxygen electrode of fuel gas from fuel electrode by electrolyte membrane the contingent any gas leakage in fuel in place exactly.
This gas leak detection device can comprise the discharge capacity probe portion, the fuel gas scale of construction of discharging from vent valve when the detection vent valve is opened.The variable quantity of the fuel quantity of this residual quantity calculator by deducting consumption from the detection amount of fuel supplying, the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels and from the fuel gas scale of construction of vent valve discharging calculates the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector and by the fuel quantity that consumes, the variable quantity of fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels and the difference between the summation formed from the fuel gas scale of construction of vent valve discharging.
Utilize this structure, the gas leakage in fuel when this gas leak detection device can be surveyed from vent valve discharge fuel gas exactly.
This gas leak detection device can followingly dispose.This gas leakage detection channels comprises a plurality of parts.The pressure of the fuel gas in each of a plurality of parts in this pressure detector probe gas leak detection passage.This variable quantity calculator obtains the variation of the detection pressure of the fuel gas in each part; This variable quantity calculator obtains to change owing to the pressure of the fuel gas in the appropriate section variable quantity of the fuel gas in each part that causes; And this variable quantity calculator calculates the variable quantity of the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels by the variable quantity of the fuel gas in all parts of accumulation.
Utilize this structure, the variable quantity calculator calculates the variable quantity that changes the fuel gas in each part that causes owing to the pressure in the appropriate section.Fuel gas in each part has different pressure.This variable quantity calculator calculates the variable quantity of the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels by the variable quantity of the fuel gas in all parts of accumulation.Therefore, this gas leak detection device can be surveyed gas leakage in fuel exactly.
This fuel cell system can be included in the pressure relief valve that is provided with in the service duct, and this pressure relief valve reduces the pressure of fuel gas.This gas leak detection device can comprise quantity detector and the leak judgement permission part of surveying the fuel gas scale of construction.The quantity detector is set in service duct, makes pressure relief valve between quantity detector and supply detector.Be under the situation of preset range at the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector with by the difference between the fuel gas scale of construction of quantity detector detection, leak judgement permission part allows the judgement of gas leakage in fuel detector whether to have gas leakage in fuel.If the difference between the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector and the fuel gas scale of construction surveyed by the quantity detector is in predetermined scope, these two quantity can equate so.
Utilize this structure, the pressure that does not need to consider the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels changes, and this has improved gas leakage and has surveyed accuracy.
When the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector and the fuel gas scale of construction surveyed by the quantity detector are constant, but the difference between this quantity is in preset range the time, and this gas leakage in fuel detector can be judged between supply detector in the service duct and the quantity detector and has gas leakage in fuel.
Utilize this structure, when having gas leakage in fuel between supply detector in service duct and the quantity detector, this leakage detector easily probe gas leaks.
This fuel cell system can comprise the upstream that is arranged in the supply detector, at the shut-off valve that service duct is provided with, when closing, turn-off the supply of fuel gas.When closing the supply of this shut-off valve fuel shutoff gas, detecting at the supply detector is having in the opposite direction under the situation that the fuel gas more than scheduled volume flows with the side that fuel gas is provided, and the gas leakage in fuel detector of this gas leak detection device can be judged in the service duct of downstream part of supply position of detector upstream and shut-off valve and has gas leakage in fuel.
Utilize this structure, when the downstream part at supply position of detector upstream and shut-off valve, when having gas leakage in fuel in the gas leakage detection channels, this leakage detector can easily be surveyed gas leakage in fuel.In addition, the fuel gas scale of construction based on being surveyed by the supply detector can easily obtain the fuel gas scale of construction of leaking.
This fuel cell system can comprise the upstream that is positioned at the supply detector, and the shut-off valve that is provided with in service duct when cutting out, turn-offs the supply of fuel gas.When shut-off valve is closed and fuel cell when not producing electric power, have on the supply detector detects direction in fuel supplying under the situation that the fuel gas more than scheduled volume flows, this gas leakage in fuel detector can be judged in the gas leakage detection channels and has gas leakage in fuel.
Utilize this structure, this leakage detector is the gas leakage in fuel in the probe gas leak detection passage easily.In addition, the fuel gas scale of construction based on being surveyed by the supply detector can easily obtain the fuel gas scale of construction of leaking.
In this gas leak detection device, this gas leakage in fuel detector can stop to carry out the operation whether judgement exists gas leakage in fuel, and requiring when the gas leakage in fuel detector is carried out this operation increases under the situation of fuel cell output.
This structure prevents to increase the reduction that accuracy is surveyed in the gas leakage that causes owing to the output of fuel cell, and this is avoided surveying the error of gas leakage in fuel.
This gas leak detection device can comprise the first pressure differential detector and the first quantity survey part.Downstream pressure in the service duct of the upstream pressure in the service duct of the upstream position of first pressure differential detector detection supply detector and the downstream position of supply detector.The first pressure differential detector is by deducting the pressure differential between downstream pressure acquisition upstream pressure and the downstream pressure from upstream pressure.The first amount estimating part based on this pressure differential, is estimated the fuel gas scale of construction that flows in the supply detector.The absolute value of the difference between the fuel gas scale of construction of partly estimating by first quantity survey and the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector is equal to or greater than under the situation of second predetermined value, this gas leakage in fuel detector can judge exist in the supply detector unusual.
Utilize this structure, can easily survey unusual in the supply detector.This prevents the supply detector error ground detection fuel gas scale of construction, and this has improved gas leakage and has surveyed accuracy.
This fuel cell system can comprise the adjuster that the service duct that is arranged in supply position of detector upstream or downstream is provided with.This gas leak detection device can comprise the second pressure differential detector and the second quantity survey part.Downstream pressure in the service duct of the upstream pressure in the service duct of the upstream position of second pressure differential detector detection adjuster and the downstream position of adjuster.The second pressure differential detector obtains the pressure differential between upstream pressure and the downstream pressure by deducting downstream pressure from upstream pressure.Second quantity survey part is estimated the fuel gas scale of construction that flows in the adjuster based on the pressure differential that is obtained by the second pressure differential detector.The absolute value of the difference between the fuel gas scale of construction of partly estimating by second quantity survey and the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector is equal to or greater than under the situation of the 3rd predetermined value, this gas leakage in fuel detector can judge exist in the supply detector unusual.
A second aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of fuel cell system.This fuel cell system comprises fuel cell, fuel gas source of supply, service duct, discharge-channel, vent valve and supply detector.This fuel gas offers fuel cell by service duct from the fuel gas source of supply.By discharge-channel from the fuel cell exhaust fuel gas.Vent valve is set in discharge-channel, and this vent valve is adjusted the fuel gas scale of construction from fuel cell exhaust.The supply detector is set in service duct, and this supply detector is surveyed the supplied fuel gas flow.This service duct comprises the first passage in supply detector downstream.This fuel cell comprises the second channel by its flowing fuel gas.This discharge-channel comprises the third channel of vent valve upstream.Fuel cell system also comprises pressure detector, consumption calculating device, variable quantity calculator, residual quantity calculator and gas leakage in fuel detector.The pressure of the fuel gas in this pressure detector probe gas leak detection passage, this gas leakage detection channels comprises first passage, second channel and third channel.This consumption calculating device calculates the fuel gas scale of construction that is consumed by fuel cell.The pressure that this variable quantity calculator uses the pressure of surveying to obtain fuel gas changes, and calculates the variable quantity that changes the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels that causes owing to fuel gas pressure.This residual quantity calculator is by the variable quantity of the fuel gas the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage that deducts consumption from the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying, the difference between the fuel supplying gas flow of the fuel gas scale of construction of calculation consumption and the variable quantity sum of the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels and detection.When this difference is equal to or greater than predetermined value, there is gas leakage in fuel in this gas leakage in fuel detector judgement gas leakage detection channels.
Fuel cell system with said structure is gas leakage in fuel exactly, even when the pressure of the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels changes owing to the operating state of fuel cell.
The present invention is not limited to above-mentioned aspect.The present invention can be implemented as the control method that is used for gas leak detection device or fuel cell system.In addition, can be with the form of the computer program that is used for control method or gas leak detection device, with the form of the storage medium of storage computation machine program wherein, realize the present invention with form of transmitting the data-signal that comprises computer program with carrier wave or the like.
When the present invention be configured to computer program, wherein during the storage medium or the like of storage computation machine program, computer program can be controlled the whole functional of above-mentioned gas leakage detector, or can only control according to function of the present invention.
With reference to the accompanying drawings from exemplary embodiment is described below, will make and address more purpose, characteristics and advantage on of the present invention and become clear, wherein identical Reference numeral is used for identifying similar elements and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows the structured flowchart according to the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows the explanatory of the amplifier section of the anode system passage in the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows the flow chart of surveying operation according to the hydrogen gas leakage of first embodiment;
Fig. 4 is the view of explanation Arrhenius curve, the amounts of hydrogen of representation unit time infiltration and the relation between the battery temperature.
Fig. 5 shows the structured flowchart of fuel cell system 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 A shows the flow chart of the preparatory process that is used for the hydrogen gas leakage detection in a second embodiment;
Fig. 6 B and 6C show the flow chart of surveying operation according to the hydrogen gas leakage of second embodiment;
Fig. 7 shows the explanatory of the amplifier section of the anode system passage among second embodiment;
Fig. 8 shows the flow chart of the hydrogen gas leakage detection operation of a third embodiment in accordance with the invention; And
Fig. 9 shows the explanatory of the amplifier section of the anode system passage among the 3rd embodiment;
Below, embodiments of the invention will be described in the following order.
A1. the total of gas leak detection device
A2. hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed operation
C. the 3rd embodiment
D. improve example
A. the total of fuel cell system
Fig. 1 shows the structured flowchart according to the fuel cell system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention.This fuel cell system 100 comprises fuel cell 10, hydrogen gas tank 20, hydrogen flowmeter (below be called " HFM ") 300, pressure detector 310 and 340, current sensor 320, temperature sensor 330, air blast 30, control section 400, humidifier 60 and circulating pump 250.
Fuel cell 10 is high-molecular electrolyte fuel batteries.This fuel cell has the stepped construction of wherein stacked a plurality of battery (not shown).In each battery, hydrogen electrode (not shown: below, be called " anode ") is set on a side of last electrolyte membrane (not shown), and oxygen electrode (not shown: below, be called " negative electrode ") is set on the opposite side of electrolyte membrane.The fuel gas that comprises hydrogen is provided for the anode of each battery, and the oxidizing gas that comprises oxygen is provided for negative electrode.This causes electrochemical reaction to be proceeded, and produces electromotive force.The electric power that produces in the fuel cell 10 is provided for the predetermined load (not shown) that is connected to fuel cell 10.Although describe the present invention in conjunction with high-molecular electrolyte fuel battery, but the environment that may be used for other fuel cells, for example, have fuel cell, alkaline aqueous electrolyte fuel cell, the phosphoric acid electrolyic fuel cell of hydrogen gas separation membrane, carbonate electrolyte fuel cell of fusion etc.The passage that fuel gas flows in the fuel cell 10 will be called as " fuel gas channel 25 ".
Air blast 30 provides air as oxidizing gas for the negative electrode of fuel cell 10.Air blast 30 is connected to the negative electrode of fuel cell 10 by cathode gas service duct 34.Humidifier 60 is set in the cathode gas service duct 34.Air from air blast 30 is moistening by humidifier 60.Then, this air is provided for fuel cell 10.Cathodic discharge gas passage 36 is set in fuel cell 10.Electrochemical reaction takes place after, by cathode exhaust gas passage 36 from cathode exhaust waste gas (below, be called " cathode exhaust gas ") to atmosphere.
In hydrogen gas tank 20, hydrogen gas storage under condition of high voltage.Hydrogen gas tank 20 is connected to the fuel gas channel 25 of fuel cell 10 by fuel gas service duct 24.In fuel gas service duct 24, shut-off valve 200, first adjuster 210, HFM 300 and second adjuster 220 from hydrogen gas tank 20 to fuel cell 10 by the ordered state setting.When shut-off valve 200 was closed, its turn-offed (that is) the supply, fuel gas, and when open, its allows hydrogen mobile from hydrogen gas tank 20 of hydrogen from hydrogen gas tank 20.Control section 400 (describing afterwards) control shut-off valve 200.Providing high pressure hydrogen after fuel gas service duct 24 from hydrogen gas tank 20, the pressure of 210 pairs of fuel gas of first adjuster carries out initial adjustment.By after the HFM300, the pressure of 220 pairs of fuel gas of second adjuster carries out the secondary adjustment at fuel gas.Then, this fuel gas is provided for the anode of fuel cell 10.The desired value of the first pressure adjustment and the second pressure adjustment suitably is provided with, the design of fuel cell system 100.
The HFM 300 measurement fuel gas scale of constructions that time per unit flows first adjuster 210 carries out the first pressing adjustment in fuel gas service duct 24 after (below, be called " the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction ").The unit interval fuel gas scale of construction is represented (that is, representing with standard state) with Nl/min.The unit interval fuel gas scale of construction of being measured by HFM 300 is transferred to leak detection operating part 410 (describing afterwards).
In fuel gas service duct 24, between the HFM 300 and second adjuster 220, pressure detector 310 is set.Pressure detector 310 is measured the force value (Pa: Pascal) that first adjuster 210 carries out first pressing adjustment fuel gas afterwards.The force value of measuring by pressure detector 310 is transferred to leak detection operating part 410 (describing afterwards).Fuel gas service duct 24 can be considered to according to service duct of the present invention.
Hydrogen gas tank 20 can be considered to according to fuel gas source of supply of the present invention.But, replace hydrogen gas tank 20, reformer can be provided.Produce hydrogen by this reformer of reformation ethanol, hydrocarbon, aldehyde or the like, and provide this hydrogen to fuel gas channel 25 by shut-off valve 200 or the like.
The fuel gas channel 25 of fuel cell 10 is connected to fuel gas discharge gas passage 26.Vent valve 240 is set in fuel gas exhaust passage 26.When fuel cell system 100 work, in electrochemical reaction, use after the fuel gas, from the anode exhaust fuel gas.Owing to following reason, with the given time interval, fuel gas discharges (discharging) to atmosphere from vent valve 240 by fuel gas exhaust passage 26.When fuel cell system 100 work, fuel gas can comprise unnecessary gas, that is, and and other gases beyond the hydrogen.The example of unnecessary gas is a nitrogen, flows to anode from negative electrode by electrolyte membrane.Unnecessary gas circulates in fuel cell system 100, and is not consumed, as described later.The concentration that this little by little increases the unnecessary gas in the fuel gas, the electric power that reduces fuel cell 10 produces efficient.Therefore, control section 400 (afterwards describe) control vent valve 240 comprises the fuel gas of unnecessary gas with discharging when the given interval.Fuel gas exhaust passage 26 can be considered to according to discharge-channel of the present invention.Vent valve 240 can be considered to according to the present invention vent valve.
When the fuel cell except that hydrogen separation membrane fuel cell is used as fuel cell 10, or when fuel cell 10 was used for some environment, fuel gas also can comprise other the unnecessary gases except that nitrogen.
On the direction of fuel cell 10 discharge fuel gases (below, be called " discharge directions "), at the upstream position of vent valve 240, an end of gas circulation channel 28 is connected to fuel gas discharge channel 26 therein.The other end of gas circulation channel 28 is connected to fuel gas service duct 24.Circulating pump 250 is set in gas circulation channel 28.Circulating pump 250 under stress transmits fuel gas to fuel gas service duct 24, by gas circulation channel 28.Fuel gas is by gas circulation channel 28 circulations.Therefore, the hydrogen that comprises from the fuel gas of anode exhaust is recycled, and is repeated to utilize.Control section 400 (describing afterwards) Control Circulation pump 250.Gas circulation channel 28 can be considered to according to circulation canal of the present invention.Circulating pump 250 can be considered to according to circulating pump of the present invention.Below, fuel gas service duct 24, fuel gas channel 25, fuel gas discharge channel 26 and gas circulation channel 28 will jointly be called " anode system passage ".
Be connected to position between the place of fuel gas discharge channel 26 and the place that fuel gas discharge channel 26 is connected to gas circulation channel 28 at fuel gas channel 25, pressure detector 340 is set in fuel gas discharge channel 26.Pressure detector 340 is measured the force value (Pa: Pascal) of the fuel gas that flows from fuel gas channel 25.The force value of measuring by pressure detector 340 is transferred to leak detection operating part 410 (describing afterwards).
In addition, fuel cell 10 is provided with the current value (A: current sensor 320 ampere) that measurement is produced by fuel cell 10.Fuel cell 10 is provided with temperature sensor 330, measure fuel cell working temperature (this working temperature estimated with the temperature of each battery much at one.Therefore, this working temperature will be called as " battery temperature T " (K: Kelvin)) below.The current value of being measured by current sensor 320 and be sent to leak detection operating part 410 (describing afterwards) by the battery temperature value that temperature sensor 330 is measured.Temperature sensor 330 is measured the representative temperature of the fuel cell 10 of giving certain portions.For example, temperature sensor 330 is measured the temperature of fuel cell 10 at the coolant outlet (not shown) place that the cooling agent that offers fuel cell 10 is discharged from.
Control section 400 is configured to comprise the logical circuit of microcomputer.More particularly, control section 400 comprises central processing unit (not shown), ROM (not shown), RAM (not shown), input/output end port or the like.CPU carries out predetermined calculating according to the default control program.Be used for carrying out the needed control program of calculating, control data or the like and be stored in ROM.The data quilt that CPU execution calculating needs read and write is provisionally gone among the RAM.Signal is imported into input port and exports from output port.The message that control section 400 obtains about load requests or the like, and output drive signal is to the device that constitutes fuel cell system 100, as air blast 30, humidifier 60, shut-off valve 200, circulating pump 250 and vent valve 240.Therefore, the operating state of the whole fuel cell system 100 of control section 400 considerations is controlled these devices.
Control section 400 is as leak detection operating part 410.Leak detection operating part 410 receives measured value from HFM 300, pressure detector 310, current sensor 320, temperature sensor 330 and pressure detector 340.Therefore, the hydrogen gas leakage of description was surveyed and is handled after leak detection operating part 410 was carried out.
Fig. 2 shows the explanatory of the anode system passage of the amplification among this embodiment.As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, therein fuel gas be provided on the direction of fuel cell 10 (below, be called " gas supplier to "), the part of the fuel gas service duct 24 of the upstream of first adjuster 210 can be called as " high-pressure section ", because in the anode system passage, the pressure in this part is high.Part of fuel gas service duct 24 between first adjuster 210 and second adjuster 220 can be called as " intermediate pressure section ".Pressure in the intermediate pressure section is lower than the pressure in the high-pressure section, because intermediate pressure section is positioned at the downstream of first adjuster 210.The part of the fuel gas service duct 24 in the downstream of second adjuster 220 that the gas supplier makes progress can be called as " low-pressure section ".Pressure in the low-pressure section is lower than the pressure in the intermediate pressure section, because low-pressure section is positioned at the downstream of second adjuster 220.
The passage that is centered on by the dotted line among Fig. 2 can be called as " leak detection channel C x ".That is leak detection channel C x comprises a part and the gas circulation channel 28 of fuel gas discharge channel 26 of the upstream of the vent valve 240 on the part, fuel gas channel 25, gaseous emission direction of fuel gas service duct 24 in downstream of the HFM 300 that the gas supplier makes progress.
The force value of being measured by pressure detector 340 is considered to the typical pressure value in the low-pressure section among the leak detection channel C x.The force value of being measured by pressure detector 310 is considered to the typical pressure value in the intermediate pressure section among the leak detection channel C x.
But, because hydrogen (fuel gas) is highly flammable, suppose that usually hydrogen leaks from anode system passage or the like, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.Thus, in this embodiment, when fuel cell 10 work, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation, so that survey leakage from the hydrogen of the leak detection channel C x in the anode system passage shown in Figure 2.Below, will describe hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.
Fig. 3 shows the flow chart of the hydrogen gas leakage detection operation among this embodiment.The time point of the predetermined space when fuel cell 10 work (below, be called " leak detection time point "), the hydrogen gas leakage of carrying out among this embodiment is surveyed operation.In hydrogen gas leakage was surveyed operation, its judged after the leak detection time point the arrives α time durations of second, and whether hydrogen leaks in leak detection channel C x.Below, the time of α second can be called as " leak detection period X ", because carry out leak detection during this period.That is, suppose that shut-off valve 200 is opened and provide hydrogen (fuel gas) to fuel gas service duct 24 from hydrogen gas tank 20, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.In a second embodiment, in identical supposition, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.
Survey in operation at this hydrogen gas leakage, calculate the fuel gas scale of construction that flows into leak detection channel C x (below, be called " the fuel gas scale of construction Q of detection ") based on the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction of surveying by HFM300 during the leak detection period X.In addition, during leak detection period X, fuel gas (hydrogen) amount that calculating is consumed in the process that produces electric power by fuel cell 10 (below, be called " consumption Q1 "), from fuel gas channel 25 by the electrolyte membrane of fuel cell 10 flow to negative electrode the fuel gas scale of construction (hydrogen) (below, be called " infiltration capacity Q2 ") and from the fuel gas scale of construction of leak detection channel C x by (discharging) of vent valve 240 discharging (below, be called " discharge capacity Q3 ").In addition, in this embodiment, the variable quantity of the fuel gas the leak detection channel C x during the detection leak detection period X (that is, from beginning) to the end of leak detection period.In other words, survey because the variable quantity of the fuel gas among the leak detection channel C x that variation caused of the fuel gas pressure among the leak detection channel C x during the leak detection period X.Below, the variable quantity of the fuel gas among the leak detection channel C x will be called as " variable quantity Q4 ".The fuel gas scale of construction Q that surveys comprises consumption Q1, infiltration capacity Q2, discharge capacity Q3 and variable quantity Q4.Therefore, deduct consumption Q1, infiltration capacity Q2, discharge capacity Q3 and variable quantity Q4 by fuel gas scale of construction Q from detection, the leaked fuel gas flow that calculating is estimated (below, be called and " estimate leakage rate (Δ Qx).Next, by the leakage rate of estimating is compared with predetermined threshold, leak detection operating part 410 judges among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage.
As mentioned above, variable quantity Q4 is the fuel gas variable quantity among the leak detection channel C x that causes because the pressure of the fuel gas the leak detection channel C x that (that is, begins to finishing from leak detection period X) during the leak detection period X changes.The fuel gas scale of construction of inflow leak detection channel C x increases or reduces, for example, a) wherein, by opening vent valve 24 discharge fuel gases, and then cause during leak detection period X, the pressure among the leak detection channel C x changes sharp, or b) wherein, when leak detection period X finished, because the pressure of first and second adjusters 210 and 220 is adjusted performance, the pressure among the leak detection channel C x was adjusted to and is lower than the pressure among the leak detection channel C x when leak detection period, X began.
Survey in the operation at hydrogen gas leakage, at first, leak detection operating part 410 calculates the detection fuel gas scale of construction Q (Nl) during the leak detection period X.More particularly, during leak detection period X, leak detection operating part 410 continues to obtain the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction from HFM300, and by the accumulation unit time fuel gas scale of construction, calculates the fuel gas scale of construction Q (Nl) that surveys.
Leak detection operating part 410 calculates the consumption Q1 (step S110) during the leak detection period X.More particularly, leak detection operating part 410 receives average current value Iav (A) from current sensor 320, and average current value Iav (A) is the current average that is produced by fuel cell 10.Leak detection operating part 410 uses the number of battery cells Nc in average current value Iav and the fuel cell 10 to calculate leak detection period X, and (the consumption Q1 during (second) is according to formula as described below (1).The consumption Q1 that the establishing criteria state representation is calculated according to formula (1):
Q 1 = &Integral; t t + &alpha; Iav 96485 &times; Nc 2 &times; 22.4 dt ( Nl ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 1 )
In addition, the infiltration capacity Q2 (Nl) (step S120) during the leak detection operating part 410 calculating leak detection period X.
Fig. 4 is the view of explanation Arrhenius curve, the amounts of hydrogen of representation unit time infiltration and the relation between the battery temperature.Arrhenius curve among Fig. 4 shows battery temperature T (K) and unit interval infiltration capacity (Nl/min), that is the fuel gas scale of construction (hydrogen) of time per unit (min) capillary electrolysis plasma membrane sheet, between relation.Under the situation of fuel cell 10 real works, use (for example comprises the electrolyte membrane identical with fuel cell 10, the electrolyte membrane that its diaphragm pressure, material, size or the like are identical with the electrolyte membrane of fuel cell 10) fuel cell is judged the Arrhenius curve in the mode of experience.
More particularly, leak detection operating part 410 receives average cell temperature Tav (K) during the leak detection period X from temperature sensor 330.Leak detection operating part 410 uses Arrhenius curve (Fig. 4) to obtain unit interval infiltration capacity Q2a based on average cell temperature Tav.Then, leak detection operating part 410 uses the infiltration capacity Q2 in formula (2) basis of calculation state as described below.
Q 2 = Q 2 a 60 &times; &alpha; ( Nl ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 2 )
Next, the discharge capacity Q3 (Nl) (step S130) during the leak detection operating part 410 calculating leak detection period X.More particularly, during leak detection period X, leak detection operating part 410 continue from pressure detector 340 receive low-pressure section the leak detection channel C x (below, be called " low-pressure section pressure P 1 ") in pressure (reading), and receive battery temperature T (reading) from temperature sensor 330.Below, the low-pressure section pressure P 1 that the time point t during leak detection period X surveys will be called as " instantaneous low-pressure section pressure P 1 (t) ".The battery temperature T that time point t during leak detection period X surveys will be called as " instantaneous battery temperature T (t) ".Leak detection operating part 410 calculates the instantaneous discharge capacity Q3a (t) of the time point t during the leak detection period X according to formula as described below (3).Then, leak detection operating part 410 calculates discharge capacity Q3 according to formula as described below (4) based on instantaneous discharge capacity Q3a (t).In formula (3), the effective cross-sectional area of vent valve 24 when S represents that gas is discharged, and Pg represents atmospheric pressure.In addition, the instantaneous discharge capacity Q3a of establishing criteria state representation (t).Therefore, establishing criteria state representation discharge capacity Q3.
Q 3 a ( t ) = 226.3 &times; S &times; Pg ( Pl ( t ) - Pg ) - 273 T ( t ) ( Nl / min ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 3 )
Q 3 = &Integral; t t + &alpha; Q 3 a ( t ) 60 dt ( Nl ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 4 )
Then, the variable quantity Q4 (Nl) (step S140) in the leak detection operating part 410 calculating leak detection period X processes.As mentioned above, leak detection channel C x comprises low-pressure section and intermediate pressure section.Because carry out the pressure adjustment by second adjuster 220, the pressure of the fuel gas in the low-pressure section is different from the pressure in the intermediate pressure section.Therefore, when the pressure among the leak detection channel C x changed, the change value of pressure of low-pressure section was different from the change value of pressure of intermediate pressure section.Therefore, leak detection operating part 410 calculates because the fuel gas variable quantity of each of the low-pressure section of the leak detection passage X that the variation of the pressure during the leak detection period X causes and intermediate pressure section.Then, leak detection operating part 410 calculates variable quantity Q4 by to the summation of the fuel gas scale of construction in low-pressure section and the intermediate pressure section.Below, the fuel gas variable quantity that changes in the low-pressure section that causes owing to the pressure of low-pressure section will be called as " low-pressure section variable quantity Q4a (Nl) ".Because the fuel gas variable quantity in the intermediate pressure section that the pressure in the intermediate pressure section changes will be called as " intermediate pressure section variable quantity Q4b (Nl) ".
More particularly, in step S140, the pressure the low-pressure section of leak detection operating part 410 when pressure detector 340 receives that the leak detection period, X began (below, be called " low-pressure section time started pressure P ls ").In addition, the pressure the low-pressure section of leak detection operating part 410 when pressure detector 340 receives leak sensor X and finishes (below, be called " low-pressure section concluding time pressure P le ").Pressure the intermediate pressure section of leak detection operating part 410 when pressure detector 310 receives that the leak detection period, X began (below, be called " intermediate pressure section time started pressure P msl ").In addition, the pressure the intermediate pressure section of leak detection operating part 410 when pressure detector 310 receives leak detection period X and finishes (below, be called " intermediate pressure section concluding time pressure P me ").Leak detection operating part 410 is by deducting low-pressure section concluding time pressure P le from low-pressure section time started pressure P ls, the change value of pressure Δ P1 in the low-pressure section during the calculating leak detection period X.Leak detection operating part 410 calculates low-pressure section variable quantity Q4a (Nl) based on change value of pressure Δ P1 according to formula as described below (5).Formula (5) stems from the gaseous state formula.Similarly, leak detection operating part 410 divides beginning time pressure Pms to deduct intermediate pressure section concluding time pressure P me by splenium therefrom, calculates the change value of pressure Δ P2 in the intermediate pressure section during the leak detection period X.Leak detection operating part 410 calculates intermediate pressure section variable quantity Q4b (Nl) based on change value of pressure P2 according to formula as described below (6).Formula (6) stems from the gaseous state formula.Leak detection operating part 410 passes through to low-pressure section variable quantity Q4a and intermediate pressure section variable quantity Q4b read group total variable quantity Q4, shown in the formula as described below (7).In formula (5), V1 represents the volume of the low-pressure section of leak detection channel C x.In formula (6), V2 represents the volume of the intermediate pressure section of leak detection channel C x.The design of the value fuel cell system 100 of V1 and V2 sets in advance.In formula (5) and (6), Z represents the known compressed coefficient.
Q 4 a = &Delta;P 1 &times; V 1 100 &times; Z ( Nl ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 5 )
Q 4 b = &Delta;P 2 &times; V 2 100 &times; Z ( Nl ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 6 )
Q4＝Q4a+Q4b(Nl) …(7)
Leak detection operating part 410 calculates the leakage rate Δ Qx (Nl) (step S150) that estimates.More particularly, shown in the formula as described below (8), leak detection operating part 410 calculates the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates by deducting consumption Q1, infiltration capacity Q2, discharge capacity Q3 and variable quantity Q4 from the fuel gas scale of construction Q that surveys.
ΔQx＝Q-Q1-Q2-Q3-Q4(Nl)…(8)
Then, leak detection operating part 410 uses the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates, judges among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage.That is leak detection operating part 410 compares leakage rate Δ Qx and the predetermined threshold value F that estimates.When the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates is equal to or greater than threshold value F (YES in step S160), leak detection operating part 410 judge in leak detection channel C x, exist hydrogen gas leakage (that is, detect hydrogen gas leakage) (step S170), and the work (step S180) that stops fuel cell 10.This prevents owing to hydrogen gas leakage is wasted hydrogen.In the case, the leakage rate Δ Qx of estimation represents leakage hydrogen gas amount among the leak detection channel C x.
The leakage rate Δ QQ (Nl/min) of time per unit can use leakage rate (in the case, the leakage rate Δ Qx that equals to estimate) to calculate, according to formula as described below (9).
&Delta;QQ = &Delta;Qx &alpha; ( Nl / min ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 9 )
As the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates during less than threshold value F (NO in step S160), leak detection operating part 410 is judged do not have hydrogen gas leakage (step S190) in leak detection channel C x.
After execution in step S180 and S190, leak detection operating part 410 is finished hydrogen gas leakage and is surveyed operation.
Therefore, hydrogen gas leakage is in the present embodiment surveyed in the operation, and leak detection operating part 140 judges among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage based on the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates, the leakage rate Δ Qx of estimation uses variable quantity Q4 to calculate.Thus, even under the situation that the pressure among the leak detection channel C x changes during leak detection period X (that is, even in leak detection channel C x under the unsettled situation of condition), also can survey hydrogen gas leakage exactly.
As mentioned above, leak detection channel C x comprises low-pressure section and intermediate pressure section, and owing to pass through the pressure adjustment that second adjuster 220 is carried out, the pressure of the fuel gas in the low-pressure section is different from intermediate pressure section.Therefore, when the pressure among the leak detection channel C x changed, the change value of pressure in the low-pressure section was different from intermediate pressure section.Therefore, hydrogen gas leakage is in the present embodiment surveyed in the operation, obtains low-pressure section and change value of pressure Δ P1 in the intermediate pressure section and the Δ P2 of leak detection channel C x.Working pressure changing value Δ P1 and Δ P2 calculate low-pressure section variable quantity Q4a and intermediate pressure section variable quantity Q4b.Then, by obtaining variable quantity Q4 to low-pressure section variable quantity Q4a and intermediate pressure section variable quantity Q4b summation.Utilize this structure, can consider the pressure distribution (pressure distribution) among the leak detection channel C x, obtain variable quantity Q4.Therefore, can calculate variable quantity Q4 exactly.As a result, can survey hydrogen gas leakage among the leak detection channel C x exactly.
Therefore, hydrogen gas leakage is in the present embodiment surveyed in the operation, and leak detection operating part 410 judges among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage based on the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates, the leakage rate Δ Qx of estimation uses infiltration capacity Q2 to calculate.Therefore, can survey hydrogen gas leakage exactly.
Therefore, hydrogen gas leakage is in the present embodiment surveyed in the operation, and leak detection operating part 410 judges in the leak detection passage whether have hydrogen gas leakage based on the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates, the leakage rate Δ Qx of estimation uses discharge capacity Q3 to calculate.Therefore, though during the leak detection period under the situation of vent valve 240 discharge fuel gases, also can survey hydrogen gas leakage exactly.
Leak detection operating part 410 among this embodiment can be considered to supply detector, consumption calculating device, residual quantity calculator and hydrogen gas leakage detector.
Next, second embodiment will be described.Fig. 5 shows the structured flowchart of fuel cell system 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Basically, have and the identical structure of fuel cell system 100 among first embodiment according to the fuel cell system 110 of second embodiment, except being different from HFM 300, be connected to the upstream of gas circulation channel 28 in the downstream, position of second adjuster 220 with at the gas supplier fuel gas service duct 24 that makes progress, HFM 500 is set in the fuel gas service duct 24.After second adjuster 220 carries out the second pressure adjustment, the HFM500 measurement unit time fuel gas scale of construction.Leak detection operating part 410 is from HFM 500 recruiting unit's time fuel gas scale of constructions.In a second embodiment, leak detection operating part 410 is carried out hydrogen gas leakage and is surveyed operation and preparatory process.
Fig. 6 A shows the flow chart that hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed the preparatory process of operation.Fig. 6 B and 6C show the flow chart of surveying operation according to the hydrogen gas leakage of second embodiment.
In fuel cell system 100, even the situation that the pressure in the leak detection passage changes (that is, even in the leak detection passage under the unsettled situation of condition) also detects hydrogen gas leakage according to first embodiment.According to second embodiment, except that the hydrogen gas leakage of carrying out according to first embodiment is surveyed operation, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation (Fig. 6 B and 6C) and preparatory process (Fig. 6 A).For example, in the leak detection passage, carry out hydrogen gas leakage shown in Figure 3 under the unsettled situation of condition and survey operation.For example, under the situation of conditional stability, the hydrogen gas leakage shown in execution graph 6B and the 6C is surveyed operation in the leak detection passage.Below, the hydrogen gas leakage of describing among second embodiment is surveyed operation and is used for the preparatory process that hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed operation.
Fig. 7 shows the explanatory of the anode system passage of the amplification among second embodiment.As shown in Figure 7, in a second embodiment, in the passage identical, carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation with leak detection channel C x among first embodiment.But in a second embodiment, the part of fuel gas service duct 24 between HFM 300 and the HFM 500 is called as " the middle HFM channel C x1 " among the leak detection channel C x.Part of fuel gas service duct 24 except that middle HFM channel C x1, that is the part of fuel gas service duct 24 in the HFM500 downstream that makes progress of gas supplier is called as " low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cx2 ".
At first, use description to the preparatory process that hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed operation.As shown in Figure 6A, before carrying out hydrogen gas leakage detection operation, under given interval, leak detection operating part 410 is from each HFM 500 and HFM 300 recruiting unit's time fuel gas scale of constructions (step S250).In a second embodiment, the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction that receives from HFM 500 is called as " unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 ".The unit interval fuel gas scale of construction that receives from HFM300 is called as " unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy2 ".
Next, whether leak detection operating part 410 judgement unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy2 be all constant, and whether condition stablizes (step S270) among the leak detection channel C x.More particularly, the absolute value of difference between 410 unit of account time of leak detection operating part fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and the Qy2 (below, be called " absolute value of difference ").The absolute value of the difference whether absolute value of the current difference of leak detection operating part 410 judgements calculates when being substantially equal to detect unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2 last time (below, be called " previous absolute difference ").
When the absolute value of this current difference was substantially equal to the absolute value of previous difference, leak detection operating part 410 judged that condition is stable (YES in step S270) among the leak detection channel C x, and finishes this preparatory process.Then, leak detection operating part 410 is carried out hydrogen gas leakage and is surveyed operation.
When this current absolute difference was substantially equal to previous absolute difference, leak detection operating part 410 was judged the conditional instability (NO in step S270) among the leak detection channel C x, and repeatedly execution in step S250 and S270.
Then, the hydrogen gas leakage of describing among second embodiment is surveyed operation.When hydrogen gas leakage detection operation is performed, do not carry out by opening the operation of vent valve discharging from the fuel gas of anode exhaust.Shown in Fig. 6 B, survey in the operation at hydrogen gas leakage, at first, leak detection operating part 410 judges whether the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and the Qy2 that survey equate (step S320) when preparatory process (Fig. 6 A) finishes.Leak detection operating part 410 can judge whether unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2 are in the preset range, replaces judging whether unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2 equate.Determine this preset range based on the error margin in the detection of each unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2.That is even if under the situation that unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2 also fail to be considered to equate when having considered error margin, leak detection operating part 410 judges that difference between unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and the Qy2 is not in preset range.
When unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2 do not wait (NO in step S320), in the middle of judging, leak detection operating part 410 has hydrogen gas leakage (step S330) among the HFM channel C x1.Then, leak detection operating part 410 stops the work (step S410) of fuel cell 10, and finishes this hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.
When unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 is equal with Qy2 (YES in step S320), in the middle of judging, leak detection operating part 410 do not have hydrogen gas leakage (step S340) among the HFM channel C x1.
The value that leak detection operating part 410 is measured by HFM300 during based on predetermined leak detection period Y is calculated the fuel gas scale of construction that flows into leak detection channel C x (below, be called " the fuel gas scale of construction Q of detection " ') (step S350).In a second embodiment, leak detection period Y is β second.
The fuel gas scale of construction (hydrogen) that 410 calculating of leak detection operating part are consumed by fuel cell 10 generation electric power (below, be called " consumption Q1 " ') (step S360).More particularly, leak detection operating part 410 receives average current value Iav ' (A) from current sensor 320, and average current value Iav ' is the mean value of the electric current that produced by fuel cell 10 during the leak detection period X (A).Then, leak detection operating part 410 uses average current value Iav ' according to aforesaid formula (1) calculation consumption amount Q1 ', replaces average current value Iav, and uses β to replace α.Consumption Q1 ' establishing criteria state representation.
In addition, the fuel gas scale of construction of leak detection operating part 410 calculating capillary electrolysis plasma membrane sheets (below, be called " infiltration capacity Q2 " ') (step S370).More particularly, during the leak detection period, the average cell temperature Tav ' that leak detection operating part 410 receives fuel cells 10 from temperature sensor 330 (K).Then, leak detection operating part 410 uses above-mentioned Arrhenius curve (Fig. 4), obtains unit interval infiltration capacity Q2a ' based on average cell temperature Tav '.Then, leak detection operating part 410 is according to above-mentioned formula (2), and applying unit time infiltration capacity Q2a ' replaces unit interval infiltration capacity Q2a, and uses β to replace α, the infiltration capacity Q2 ' in the basis of calculation state.
The leakage rate Δ Qx ' that 410 calculating of leak detection operating part are estimated is (step S380) (Nl).More particularly, leak detection operating part 410 is by deducting the leakage rate Δ Qx ' that consumption Q1 ' and infiltration capacity Q2 ' calculating are estimated from the fuel gas scale of construction Q ' that surveys.
ΔQ＇＝Q＇-Q1＇-Q2＇(Nl)…(10)
Then, whether there is hydrogen gas leakage (step S390) among the low-pressure section HFM of the downstream passage Cx2 of leak detection operating part 410 judgement leak detection channel C x.That is leak detection operating part 410 compares the leakage rate Δ Qx ' that estimates with predetermined threshold value F '.When the leakage rate Δ Qx ' that estimates is equal to or greater than threshold value F ' (YES in step S390), leak detection operating part 410 judge exist among the downstream passage Cx2 of low-pressure section HFM hydrogen gas leakage (that is, leak detection operating part 410 detects hydrogen gas leakage) (step S400), stop the work (step S410) of fuel cell 10, and stop this hydrogen gas leakage detection operation.In the case, the hydrogen gas leakage amount among the downstream passage Cx2 of the leakage rate Δ Qx ' of estimation expression low-pressure section HFM.
As the leakage rate Δ Qx ' that estimates during less than threshold value F ' (NO in step S390), leak detection operating part 410 is judged among the low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cx2 and is not had hydrogen gas leakage (step S420).Then, leak detection operating part 410 is finished the hydrogen gas leakage detection operation in the present embodiment.
Hydrogen gas leakage in first embodiment is surveyed in the operation, and after the condition change in leak detection channel C x was stable, leak detection operating part 410 judged among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage.Therefore, discharge capacity is the gas flow from vent valve 240 dischargings, because variable quantity that the pressure of leak detection channel C x changes the fuel gas among the caused leak detection channel C x or the like does not need to be considered.Therefore, can survey hydrogen gas leakage exactly.
In addition, in a second embodiment hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed in the operation, by comparative unit time fuel gas scale of construction Qy1 and Qy2, can easily judge among the middle HFM channel C x1 of leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage.
In addition, hydrogen gas leakage is in a second embodiment surveyed in the operation, when in the middle of leak detection operating part 410 is judged, having hydrogen gas leakage among HFM channel C x1 or the low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cx2 (step S330 or step S400), stop the work (step S410) of fuel cell 10.Therefore, can prevent because the leakage hydrogen gas waste.
Leak detection operating part 410 among second embodiment can be considered to survey according to quantity detector of the present invention and hydrogen gas leakage.
Next, the 3rd embodiment will be described.Basically, the fuel cell system 120 among the 3rd embodiment has the structure of the fuel cell system 100 that is similar among first embodiment.That is the fuel cell system 120 among the 3rd embodiment has and the identical structure (Fig. 5) of fuel cell system 110 among second embodiment.HFM 300 among the 3rd embodiment and each of HFM 500 have the function of surveying the fuel gas flow direction among each HFM.That is, when the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction of representing by each HFM be on the occasion of the time, fuel gas flows towards fuel cell 10 among each HFM.When the unit interval of being represented by each HFM, the fuel gas scale of construction was negative value, fuel gas flowed towards hydrogen gas tank 20 among each HFM.
Fig. 8 shows the flow chart of the hydrogen gas leakage detection operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.Fuel cell system 120 among the 3rd embodiment is carried out hydrogen gas leakage shown in Figure 8 and is surveyed operation except that the hydrogen gas leakage in each of first and second embodiment is surveyed operation.In first embodiment, when fuel cell 10 work, leak detection operating part 410 is carried out hydrogen gas leakage and is surveyed operation.In the 3rd embodiment, when fuel cell 10 was not worked, leak detection operating part 410 was carried out hydrogen gas leakage shown in Figure 8 and is surveyed operation.Below, the hydrogen gas leakage of describing among the 3rd embodiment is surveyed operation.
Fig. 9 shows the explanatory of the anode system passage of the amplification among the 3rd embodiment.In the 3rd embodiment, carry out the passage that leak detection channel C z that hydrogen gas leakage surveys comprises leak detection channel C x among first embodiment and the fuel gas service duct 24 between the HFM 300 and first adjuster 210 (below, be called " intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1; The zone of representing to upper right rising diagonal by the lower-left from Fig. 9).In leak detection channel C z, the part of fuel gas service duct 24 between second adjuster 220 and the HFM300 is called as " centre-HFM upstream passageway Cz2 " (that is, by the upper left zone represented to the decline diagonal of bottom right among Fig. 9).Part of fuel gas service duct 24 between the HFM 500 and second adjuster 220 is called as " middle HFM downstream passage Cz3 " (that is the zone of being represented by the cross spider among Fig. 9).Part of fuel gas service duct 24 be arranged in the gas supplier to the downstream (that is the zone of representing by the point among Fig. 9) of HFM 500.
In the 3rd embodiment, leak detection operating part 410 is carried out hydrogen gas leakage and is surveyed operation under the preset time interval.At first, when fuel cell 10 is not worked, that is when shut-off valve 200 was closed, leak detection operating part 410 was from each recruiting unit's time fuel gas scale of construction of HFM 500 and HFM 300, (step S500).In the case, the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction of being surveyed by HFM500 is called as " unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 ".The unit interval fuel gas scale of construction of being surveyed by HFM 300 is called as " unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 ".
Then, leak detection operating part 410 judges that whether unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 are on the occasion of, negative value or zero (step S510).
At unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 (step S510:Qz1=0) under zero the situation, that is, when HFM 500 detects when not having fuel gas to flow, leak detection operating part 410 judges that whether unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 are on the occasion of, negative value or zero (step S520).
Also (step S520:Qz2=0) under zero the situation at unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1, that is, when HFM 300 detections do not have fuel gas to flow, there is not hydrogen gas leakage (step S530) in 410 judgements of leak detection operating part in leak detection channel C z, because there is not fuel gas to flow in HFM300 and HFM 500.
At unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 is (step S520:Qz2＜0) under the situation of negative value, leak detection operating part 410 judges that fuel gas flows to intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1 from middle HFM upstream passageway Cz2, and there is hydrogen gas leakage (step S540) in judgement in intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1.In the case, the hydrogen gas leakage amount of time per unit equals the absolute value of unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2.In the case, owing to following reason, leak detection operating part 410 judges that there is not hydrogen gas leakage (below be called " intermediate pressure section/high-pressure section adjuster upstream passageway ") in part of fuel gas service duct 24 upstreams of first adjuster 210 that the gas suppliers make progress.Even in middle pressure/high-pressure section adjuster upstream passageway, have hydrogen gas leakage, because the performance of first adjuster 210, pressure/high-pressure section adjuster upstream passageway during fuel gas among the intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1 does not flow into by first adjuster 210, so HFM300 can not survey the changes in flow rate of fuel gas.
Unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 be on the occasion of situation under (step S520:Qz2〉0), leak detection operating part 410 judges that fuel gas flows to middle HFM upstream passageway Cz2 from intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1, and there is hydrogen gas leakage (step S550) in judgement in middle HFM upstream passageway Cz2.In the case, the gas leakage in fuel amount of time per unit is unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2.In the case, owing to following reason, there is not hydrogen gas leakage in 410 judgements of leak detection operating part in middle HFM downstream passage Cz3 or low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz4.When in middle HFM upstream passageway Cz2, having hydrogen gas leakage, since the performance of second adjuster 220, HFM upstream passageway Cz2 in the middle of the fuel gas among the middle HFM downstream passage Cz3 does not flow into by second adjuster 220.
At unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 is (step S510:Qz1＜0) under the situation of negative value, leak detection operating part 410 judges that fuel gas flows to middle HFM downstream passage Cz3 from low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz4, and there is hydrogen gas leakage (step S560) in judgement in middle HFM downstream passage Cz3.In the case, the hydrogen gas leakage amount of time per unit equals the quantity by the absolute value acquisition that unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 is added to unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1.
In addition, unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 be on the occasion of situation under (step S510:Qz1〉0), leak detection operating part 410 judges that fuel gas flows to low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz4 from low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz3, and there is hydrogen gas leakage (step S570) in judgement in low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz4.The gas leakage in fuel amount of time per unit equals unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1.
After step S530 to 570 finishes, finish hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.
Hydrogen permeate is in the present embodiment surveyed in the operation, can be based on the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz1 that is surveyed by HFM 500 with by the hydrogen gas leakage among the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qz2 detection leak detection channel C z of HFM 300 detections.When in leak detection channel C z, having hydrogen gas leakage, can from intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1, middle HFM upstream passageway Cz2, middle HFM downstream passage Cz3 and low-pressure section HFM downstream passage Cz4, judge the position that has hydrogen gas leakage.Therefore, can promptly judge the position that has hydrogen gas leakage.In addition, in the 3rd embodiment, the leak detection channel C x of leak detection channel C z in first embodiment in the hydrogen gas leakage detection operation, comprise intermediate pressure section HFM upstream passageway Cz1.Therefore, in than the bigger leak detection passage of the leak detection passage among first embodiment, can detect hydrogen gas leakage.In addition, when fuel cell 10 work and when fuel cell 10 is not worked, can survey hydrogen gas leakage.
Leak detector operating part 410 among second embodiment can be considered to according to hydrogen gas leakage detector of the present invention.
The present invention is not limited to the foregoing description.Under the condition that does not break away from true spirit of the present invention, can realize the present invention with various embodiment.
D1. first improve example
Improve in the example first, use one of two kinds of methods as described below, in the enterprising line operate test of any one hydrogen flowmeter (HFM 300 or HFM 500) of the foregoing description.Below, the hydrogen flowmeter of its enterprising line operate test will be called as " test HFM ".Leak detection operating part 410 is in the enterprising line operate test of test HFM.
To be described in first method of the enterprising line operate test of test HFM below.In the method, in the fuel cell system in each of the foregoing description, temperature sensor (not shown: below, be called " probe temperature transducer ") is set in fuel gas service duct 24.The temperature of the fuel gas that flows among this probe temperature sensor measurement test HFM (below, be called " test fuel gas temperature Th ").In addition, pressure detector (not shown: below, be called " test pressure detector ") is set in fuel gas service duct 24.Pressure in the fuel gas service duct 24 at the position upstream place of the test HFM that test pressure detector measurement gas supplier makes progress (below, be called " upstream pressure Ph2 ") and the fuel gas service duct 24 of position downstream part of test HFM in pressure (below, be called " downstream pressure Ph1 ").Leak detection operating part 410 is from probe temperature transducer acceptance test fuel gas temperature T h, and receives downstream pressure Ph1 and upstream pressure Ph2 from the test pressure detector.Based on test fuel gas temperature Th, downstream pressure Ph1 and upstream pressure Ph2, leak detection operating part 410 calculates the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qh (Nl/min) that estimates, this unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qh (Nl/min) is the estimation fuel gas scale of construction that flows among the time per unit test HFM, according to formula as described below (11).In formula (11), Sh represents that fuel gas passes through the effective cross-sectional area of its partial test HFM that flows.In addition, the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qh of establishing criteria state representation estimation.
Qh = 226.3 &times; Sh &times; Ph 1 ( Ph 2 - Ph 1 ) 273 Th ( Nl / min ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 11 )
Next, leak detection operating part 410 is from test HFM recruiting unit's time fuel gas scale of construction (Nl/min).Then, the absolute value of the difference between the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qh of the leak detection operating part 410 acquisition unit interval fuel gas scale of constructions and estimation (below, be called " test absolute value U1 ").In addition, leak detection operating part 410 will be tested absolute value U1 and compare with predetermined threshold Jh.When testing absolute value U1 less than threshold value Jh, leak detection operating part 410 judges that test HFM are working properly.When test absolute value U1 was equal to or greater than threshold value Jh, leak detection operating part 410 was judged test HFM operation irregularity.
Therefore, unusual in can probing test HFM.This prevents to test HFM and measures the fuel gas scale of construction mistakenly, has improved the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
Leak detection operating part 410 in this improvement example can be considered to first pressure difference transducer and the first quantity survey part.
Next, second method of the enterprising line operate test of test HFM will be described in.In the method, in the fuel cell system in each the foregoing description, position upstream or the downstream part of the test HFM that makes progress the gas supplier are provided with adjuster (not shown: below, be called " test throttle ") in fuel gas service duct 24.In addition, pressure detector (not shown: below, be called " test pressure detector ") is set in fuel gas service duct 24.Pressure in the fuel gas service duct 24 at the position upstream place of test pressure detector measurement test throttle (below, be called " upstream pressure Pm2 ") and the fuel gas service duct 24 of the position downstream part of test throttle in pressure (below, be called " downstream pressure Pm1 ").In addition, temperature sensor (below, be called " probe temperature transducer) is set.The temperature of flowing fuel gas in the probe temperature sensor measurement test throttle (below, be called " test fuel gas temperature Tm ").Leak detection operating part 410 is from probe temperature transducer acceptance test fuel gas temperature T m, and receives downstream pressure Pm1 and upstream pressure Pm2 from the test pressure detector.Leak detection operating part 410 is based on test fuel gas temperature Tm, downstream pressure Pm1 and upstream pressure Pm2, calculate the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qm (Nl/min) that estimates according to formula as described below (12), this unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qm (Nl/min) is the estimation fuel gas scale of construction that flows among the time per unit test HFM.In formula (12), Sm represents that fuel gas passes through the effective cross-sectional area of its partial test adjuster that flows.The unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qm that the establishing criteria state representation should be estimated.
Qm = 226.3 &times; Sm &times; Pm 1 ( Pm 2 - Pm 1 ) 273 Tm ( Nl / min ) &CenterDot; &CenterDot; &CenterDot; ( 12 )
Next, leak detection operating part 410 is from test HFM recruiting unit's time fuel gas scale of construction (Nl/min).Then, the absolute value of the difference between the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qm of the leak detection operating part 410 acquisition unit interval fuel gas scale of constructions and estimation (below, be called " test absolute value U2 ") in addition, leak detection operating part 410 will be tested absolute value U2 and compare with predetermined threshold Jm.When testing absolute value U2 less than threshold value Jm, leak detection operating part 410 judges that test HFM are working properly.When test absolute value U2 was equal to or greater than threshold value Jm, leak detection operating part 410 was judged test HFM operation irregularity.
Therefore, unusual in can probing test HFM.This prevents to test HFM and measures the fuel gas scale of construction mistakenly, improves the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
Leak detection operating part 410 in this improvement example can be considered to according to second pressure difference transducer of the present invention and the second quantity survey part.
D2. second improve example
In first embodiment or second embodiment, hydrogen flowmeter (HFM 300 or HFM500) is measured from hydrogen gas tank 20 supplied fuel gas flows.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example second, use and be used for calculating the identical method of the estimation fuel gas scale of construction (that is the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qm (Nl/min) of the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction Qh of estimation or estimation) mobile among the time per unit test HFM and estimate from the amounts of hydrogen (fuel gas) of hydrogen gas tank 20 supplies.Hydrogen gas leakage in first embodiment or second embodiment is surveyed the fuel gas scale of construction of using this estimation in the operation.Utilize this structure, can survey hydrogen gas leakage, and not use hydrogen flowmeter.
D3. the 3rd improve example
Improve in the example the 3rd, under the output increase situation of fuel cell 10, stop hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation when the hydrogen gas leakage in carrying out first embodiment or second embodiment is surveyed operation.This prevents to reduce the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy owing to the output increase of fuel cell 10, and this prevents to survey the mistake in the hydrogen gas leakage.
D4. the 4th improve example
In first embodiment or second embodiment, fuel cell 10 only is provided with a current sensor, surveys the electric current that is produced by fuel cell 10.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example the 4th, fuel cell 10 is provided with a plurality of current sensors with different investigative ranges.In the case, when the hydrogen gas leakage in carrying out first embodiment or second embodiment is surveyed operation, leak detection operating part 410 in the middle of a plurality of current sensors from having the current sensor received current value with the corresponding investigative range of output of fuel cell 10.Utilize this structure, the calculation consumption amount improves the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy exactly.
D5. the 5th improve example
In first embodiment, carry out hydrogen gas leakage down at interval at the fixed time and survey operation.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example the 5th, when the current value of being surveyed by current sensor 320 is almost nil, for example, when fuel cell 10 is worked off and on, when the work of fuel cell 10 begins or when fuel cell 10 is not worked, carries out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.In addition, when vent valve 240 is opened execution discharging work, does not carry out hydrogen gas leakage and survey operation.Utilize this structure, in the calculating of estimating the hydrogen gas leakage amount, do not need to consider consumption, discharge capacity or variable quantity, this has improved the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
D6. the 6th improve example
In first embodiment or second embodiment, can be such as the unnecessary gas of nitrogen and water vapour from negative electrode by the electrolyte membrane inflow fuel gas channel 25.In the case, for example, the unnecessary gas flow of the Arrhenius curve acquisition capillary electrolysis plasma membrane sheet that use obtains by experiment in advance (below, be called " unnecessary infiltration gas ").Obtain the partial pressure of the unnecessary infiltration gas among the leak detection Cx.By deduct the partial pressure of unnecessary infiltration gas from total pressure, obtain the hydrogen dividing potential drop.By obtain the ratio of hydrogen divided by total pressure with the hydrogen dividing potential drop.Ratio with hydrogen multiply by infiltration capacity Q2, discharge capacity Q3 and variable quantity Q4.Multiply by infiltration capacity Q2, discharge capacity Q3 and variable quantity Q4 based on ratio, calculate and estimate leakage rate Δ Qx with hydrogen.Utilize this structure, can consider unnecessary infiltration gas detection hydrogen gas leakage, improve the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
D7. the 7th improve example
The 7th improvement example is identical with first embodiment, except leak detection operating part 410 during leak detection period X stops the circulating pump 250.This structure has reduced the pulsation influence that is produced by the circulating pump on the HFM 300 250.As a result, leak detection operating part 410 can receive the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction more accurately from HFM 300, and this improves the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.In addition, the pressure among this STRUCTURE DEPRESSION leak detection channel C x changes.As a result, leak detection operating part 410 can calculate variable quantity Q4 exactly, and this improves the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
D8. the 8th improve example
Improve in the example the 8th, leak detection operating part 410, according to the pulsation that produces by circulating pump 250, the waveform of the variable quantity of the unit interval fuel gas of surveying by HFM 300 or HFM 500 in expression (below, be called " surveying fuel gas scale of construction waveform ") go up to carry out and filter operation.More particularly, leak detection operating part 410 is estimated the waveform by the pulsation of circulating pump 250 generations based on the rotating speed of circulating pump 250.The phase place of the estimation waveform of leak detection operating part 410 by changing pulsation with π obtains to filter waveform, and will filter on the fuel gas scale of construction waveform that waveform is superimposed upon detection.Utilize this structure, leak detection operating part 410 can reduce the influence of pulsation on HFM 300 that is produced by circulating pump 250, and does not stop circulating pump 250.Therefore, leak detection operating part 410 can receive the unit interval fuel gas scale of construction more accurately from HFM 300, and this improves the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.
The 7th leak detection operating part 410 that improves in example and the 8th improvement example can be considered to according to correction portion of the present invention.
D9. the 9th improve example
Improve in the example the 9th, by hybrid system is disposed in fuel cell in each the foregoing description and predetermined secondary cell combination.Utilize this structure, fuel cell 10 can according to circumstances suitably be worked in stable condition.That is, in leak detection channel C x, can make this condition stable easily, it has improved the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.Secondary cell can be the battery be scheduled to or fuel cell same as the previously described embodiments.
D10. the tenth improve example
Improve in the example the tenth, in step S160 (Fig. 3), the hydrogen gas leakage in first embodiment is surveyed in the operation, judges whether the difference of estimating between leakage rate Δ Qx and the threshold value F is in preset range, (that is, estimate that leakage rate Δ Qx is approximately identical with threshold value F).Estimating that the difference between leakage rate Δ Qx and the threshold value F is under the situation of preset range, do not judge whether there is hydrogen gas leakage immediately.The step S100 to S160 that hydrogen gas leakage is surveyed in the operation is repeatedly carried out pre-determined number.Each time step S100 to S160 is performed, and the leakage rate Δ Qx of estimation compares with threshold value F.Then, judge among the leak detection channel C x whether have hydrogen gas leakage based on this comparative result.Utilize this structure, be under the situation of preset range at hydrogen gas leakage amount Δ Qx that estimates and the difference between the threshold value F, can prevent to survey the mistake in the hydrogen gas leakage, this has improved the hydrogen gas leakage detection accuracy.In addition, in this improves example,, can judge among the leak detection channel C x to have hydrogen gas leakage when the leakage rate Δ Qx that estimates becomes bigger when a lot of than threshold value F, and repeating step S100 to S160 many times not.When estimating that leakage rate Qx becomes more much smaller than threshold value F, can judge among the leak detection channel C x not have hydrogen gas leakage, and repeating step S100 to S160 not.Utilize this structure, can promptly survey hydrogen gas leakage.This preset range is determined based on the error margin in the calculating of Q, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4.That is, even under the situation that this estimations leakage rate Δ Qx and threshold value F can not be considered to equate when considering error margin, the difference between judgement estimation leakage rate Qx and the threshold value F is not in preset range.
D11. the 11 improve example
In the 3rd embodiment, two hydrogen flowmeters (HFM 300 and HFM 500) are set in fuel gas service duct 24.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example the 11, three or above hydrogen flowmeter are set in fuel gas service duct 24.By surveying the identical method inspection unit time fuel gas scale of construction of operation with the hydrogen gas leakage the 3rd embodiment, the hydrogen gas leakage that leak detection operating part 410 is surveyed among this leak detection channel C z from the hydrogen flowmeter recruiting unit time fuel gas scale of construction and usefulness.In addition, by the inspection unit time fuel gas scale of construction, can judge the position that has hydrogen gas leakage.
D12. the 12 improve example
In a second embodiment, two hydrogen flowmeters (HFM 300 and HFM 500) are set, and leak detection operating part 410 judges based on the amounts of hydrogen of being measured by hydrogen flowmeter (the fuel gas scale of construction) whether the condition in the leak detection passage is stable.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example the 12, three or above hydrogen flowmeter are set.By receiving the fuel gas scale of construction from three or above hydrogen flowmeter, leak detection operating part 410 judges whether condition is stable in the leak detection passages.Utilize this structure, can judge more accurately whether condition is stable in the leak detection passage.Judge under the situation of conditional stability in leak detection passage that at its when having difference between the fuel gas scale of construction of being surveyed by two hydrogen flowmeters wherein, it can be judged in the position between these two hydrogen flowmeters and has hydrogen gas leakage.
D13. the 13 improve example
Surveying in the operation according to the hydrogen gas leakage of first embodiment, based on the integrated value (that is) that the pressure in the expression low-pressure section changes, the discharge capacity Q3 (Nl) during the calculating leak detection period X according to the integrated value of formula (3) (4) acquisition.But the present invention is not limited to this structure.Improve in the example discharge capacity Q3 (Nl) during the leak detection operating part 410 following calculating leak detection period X the 13.Fuel cell 10 work in the different operating condition in experiment in advance (that is the variation in the electric power amount that produces by fuel cell, the pressure in the anode system, temperature and the test).In each condition of work, survey the fuel gas scale of construction by opening the discharging of vent valve 240 time per units (below, be called " unit interval discharge capacity ").Based on this result, produce the mapping that concerns between unit interval discharge capacity and the condition of work (below, be called " discharging mapping ") is shown.This mapping is stored in the predetermined memory (not shown).Leak detection operating part 410 is read this discharging mapping from memory.Based on this discharging mapping, the unit interval discharge capacity that leak detection operating part 410 obtains corresponding to the condition of work during the leak detection period X.In addition, leak detection operating part 410 is surveyed the time (second) of opening vent valve 240 during the leak detection period X, that is, the time during the discharge fuel gas (below, be called " drain time ").Utilize this structure, leak detection operating part 410 is based on unit interval discharge capacity and the discharge capacity Q3 that surveys during drain time calculates leak detection period X.
D14. the 14 improve example
Improve in the example the 14, leak detection operating part 410 is used control program and is configured to software.In addition, all or part leak detection operating part 410 can be configured to hardware.
1. gas leak detection device of surveying the gas leakage in the fuel cell system (100), this fuel cell system comprises fuel cell (10); The fuel gas source of supply; Provide the service duct of fuel gas to fuel cell (10) (24) from the fuel gas source of supply; Discharge-channel (26), by it from fuel cell (10) discharge fuel gas; And the vent valve (240) that in discharge-channel (26), is provided with, be used for adjusting the fuel gas scale of construction from fuel cell (10) discharging,
This gas leak detection device comprises:
The supply detector that is provided with in service duct (24), it surveys the supplied fuel gas flow, wherein
This service duct (24) comprises the first passage that is positioned at supply detector downstream,
This fuel cell (10) comprises the second channel that fuel gas therefrom flows through,
This discharge-channel (26) comprises the third channel that is positioned at vent valve (240) upstream, wherein
This gas leak detection device also comprises: the consumption calculating device, calculate the fuel gas scale of construction that is consumed by fuel cell (10); Pressure detector, the pressure of the fuel gas in the probe gas leak detection passage, this gas leakage detection channels comprises first passage, second channel and third channel; The variable quantity calculator, its pressure that uses the pressure of surveying to obtain fuel gas changes, and calculates the variable quantity that changes the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels that causes owing to the pressure of fuel gas; The residual quantity calculator, by the variable quantity of the fuel gas the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage that deducts consumption from the fuel supplying gas flow, the difference between the variable quantity sum of the fuel supplying gas flow that calculating is surveyed and the fuel gas scale of construction of consumption and the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels; And the gas leakage in fuel detector, when this difference is equal to or greater than first predetermined value, there is gas leakage in fuel in its judgement gas leakage detection channels.
2. according to the gas leak detection device of claim 1, wherein this gas leakage detection channels comprises circulation canal (28), the one end is connected to service duct (24) at the downstream position of supply detector, with and the other end be connected to discharge-channel (26), fuel gas flows to service duct (24) from discharge-channel (26) by circulation canal (28) thus, so that can reuse fuel gas.
3. according to the gas leak detection device of claim 2, wherein
This fuel cell system (100) is included in the circulating pump (250) that is provided with in the circulation canal (28), and this circulating pump is sent to service duct (24) with fuel gas from discharge-channel (26),
This gas leak detection device comprises correction portion, and it proofreaies and correct the fuel supplying gas flow of being surveyed by the supply detector, so that reduce the pulsation influence that produces by circulating pump (250), and
This residual quantity calculator deducts the fuel gas the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage of consumption by the correcting value from fuel supplying gas variable quantity calculates this difference.
4. according to the gas leak detection device of claim 2, wherein
This fuel cell system (100) is included in the circulating pump (250) that is provided with in the circulation canal (28), and this circulating pump is sent to service duct (24) with fuel gas from discharge-channel (26), and
This supply detector is surveyed the fuel supplying gas flow of circulating pump (250) when not working.
5. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, wherein
This gas leakage detection channels comprises a plurality of parts,
The pressure of the fuel gas in each of a plurality of parts in the pressure detector probe gas leak detection passage,
The variable quantity calculator obtains the variation of the detection pressure of the fuel gas in each part; The variable quantity calculator obtains to change owing to the pressure of the fuel gas in each appropriate section the variable quantity of the fuel gas in each part that causes; And the variable quantity calculator calculates the variable quantity of the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels by the variable quantity summation to the fuel gas in all parts.
6. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, wherein
This fuel cell system (100) is included in the pressure relief valve that is provided with in the service duct (24), and this pressure relief valve reduces the pressure of fuel gas, and
Gas leak detection device comprises the quantity detector, and this quantity detector is used to survey the fuel gas scale of construction, and be set in the service duct (24) so that pressure relief valve between quantity detector and supply detector; And leak judgement permission part, be under the situation of preset range at the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector with by the difference between the fuel gas scale of construction of quantity detector detection, it is used to allow the gas leakage in fuel detector to judge and whether has gas leakage in fuel.
7. according to the gas leak detection device of claim 6, wherein
When the fuel supplying gas flow of surveying by the supply detector and the fuel gas scale of construction surveyed by the quantity detector all are constant, but the difference between this two quantity is in preset range the time, and this gas leakage in fuel detector is judged between supply detector in service duct (24) and the quantity detector and had gas leakage in fuel.
8. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, wherein
This fuel cell system (100) comprise the upstream position that is arranged in the supply detector, at the shut-off valve (200) that service duct (24) is provided with, when this shut-off valve cuts out, turn-off the supply of fuel gas, and
When by closing shut-off valve (200) when having cut off the supply of fuel gas, detecting at the supply detector is having in the opposite direction under the situation that the fuel gas more than scheduled volume flows with the side that fuel gas is provided, and this gas leakage in fuel detector is judged in the service duct (24) of downstream position of the upstream of supply detector and shut-off valve (200) and had gas leakage in fuel.
9. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, wherein
When shut-off valve (200) is closed and fuel cell (10) when not producing electric power, detecting at the supply detector is having on the direction of fuel supplying gas under the situation about flowing more than the fuel gas of scheduled volume, and this gas leakage in fuel detector is judged in gas leakage detection channels and had gas leakage in fuel.
10. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, also comprise:
The first pressure differential detector, downstream pressure in the service duct (24) of the upstream pressure in the service duct (24) of the upstream position of its detection supply detector and the downstream position of supply detector, and, obtain the pressure differential between upstream pressure and the downstream pressure by deducting downstream pressure from upstream pressure; And
The first quantity survey part, it estimates the fuel gas scale of construction mobile in the supply detector based on this pressure differential, wherein
The absolute value of the difference of gas leakage in fuel detector between the fuel gas scale of construction of partly estimating by first quantity survey and the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector is equal to or greater than under the situation of second predetermined value, judge exist in the supply detector unusual.
11. according to any one gas leak detection device of claim 1 to 4, wherein
This fuel cell system (100) is included in the adjuster that is provided with in the upstream of supply detector or the service duct of downstream position (24),
This gas leak detection device comprises the second pressure differential detector, downstream pressure in the service duct (24) of the upstream pressure in the service duct (24) of the upstream position of its detection adjuster and the downstream position of adjuster, and, obtain the pressure differential between upstream pressure and the downstream pressure by deducting downstream pressure from upstream pressure; And the second quantity survey part, it is based on the pressure differential that is obtained by the second pressure differential detector, estimates the fuel gas scale of construction that flows in the adjuster in the service duct (24), and
The absolute value of the difference of gas leakage in fuel detector between the fuel gas scale of construction of partly estimating by second quantity survey and the fuel supplying gas flow surveyed by the supply detector is equal to or greater than under the situation of the 3rd predetermined value, judge in the supply detector, exist unusual.
12. a method that is used for surveying the gas leakage of fuel cell system (100), this fuel cell system comprises fuel cell (10); The fuel gas source of supply; Service duct (24) provides fuel gas to fuel cell (10) by it from the fuel gas source of supply; Discharge-channel (26) is discharged fuel gas by it from fuel cell (10); And the vent valve (240) that in discharge-channel (26), is provided with, be used for adjusting the fuel gas scale of construction from fuel cell (10) discharging; This method comprises
Predetermined primary importance place in service duct (24) surveys the supplied fuel gas flow;
The fuel gas scale of construction that calculating is consumed by fuel cell (10);
The pressure of the fuel gas in the probe gas leak detection passage, this gas leakage detection channels comprises first passage, is arranged in the downstream of the predetermined first of service duct (24); Second channel in fuel cell (10), fuel gas therefrom flows through; And third channel, it is arranged in the upstream of the vent valve (240) of discharge-channel (26);
The pressure that utilizes the pressure of surveying to obtain fuel gas changes;
Calculate the variable quantity that changes the fuel gas in the gas leakage detection channels that causes owing to the pressure of fuel gas;
By the variable quantity of the fuel gas the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage that deducts consumption from the fuel supplying gas flow of being surveyed, the difference between the variable quantity sum of the fuel gas in the fuel supplying gas flow that calculating is surveyed and the gentle body leak detection of the fuel gas scale of construction passage of consumption; And
When this difference is equal to or greater than predetermined value, judge in the gas leakage detection channels to have gas leakage in fuel.
CNB2005800408005A 2004-11-29 2005-11-28 Gas leak detection device and fuel cell system CN100511800C (en)
JP343259/2004 2004-11-29
JP2004343259 2004-11-29
JP2005327305A JP4730064B2 (en) 2004-11-29 2005-11-11 Gas leak detection device and fuel cell system
JP327305/2005 2005-11-11
CN101065874A CN101065874A (en) 2007-10-31
CN101065874K1 CN101065874K1 (en) 2007-10-31
CN100511800C true CN100511800C (en) 2009-07-08
ID=36218746
CNB2005800408005A CN100511800C (en) 2004-11-29 2005-11-28 Gas leak detection device and fuel cell system
US (1) US7648787B2 (en)
JP (1) JP4730064B2 (en)
CN (1) CN100511800C (en)
DE (1) DE112005001818T5 (en)
WO (1) WO2006056878A2 (en)
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