JPH10284104A - Starting method for fuel cell - Google Patents
Starting method for fuel cellInfo
- Publication number
- JPH10284104A JPH10284104A JP9083702A JP8370297A JPH10284104A JP H10284104 A JPH10284104 A JP H10284104A JP 9083702 A JP9083702 A JP 9083702A JP 8370297 A JP8370297 A JP 8370297A JP H10284104 A JPH10284104 A JP H10284104A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- external load
- fuel cell
- circuit
- voltage
- stack
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Landscapes
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】この発明は、良好なタイミン
グで燃料電池に外部負荷回路を接続して運転開始するた
めの、燃料電池の起動方法に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell start-up method for starting an operation by connecting an external load circuit to a fuel cell at a favorable timing.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】一般に、燃料電池は、電解質保持層であ
るマトリックスを挟持して配置される燃料電極（水素電
極）と酸化剤電極（空気極）で構成される単電池を最小
ユニットとして、これを多数直列に積層してスタックが
構成される。各単電池の水素電極には水素等の燃料を、
また酸化剤電極には空気等の酸化剤ガスをそれぞれ供給
して電気化学反応を起こさせて発電する。電解質として
リン酸を用いるのが、リン酸型燃料電池である。単電池
は通常、厚さが数ｍｍ（ミリメートル），面積が数千ｃ
ｍ2 （平方センチメートル）で、このような単電池を数
百個積層してスタックが構成される。このスタックの端
面にマニホールドを取り付けて、反応ガスを各単電池に
供給する。2. Description of the Related Art In general, a fuel cell is constituted by a unit cell comprising a fuel electrode (hydrogen electrode) and an oxidant electrode (air electrode) arranged with a matrix serving as an electrolyte holding layer therebetween. Are stacked in series to form a stack. Fuel such as hydrogen is applied to the hydrogen electrode of each cell,
Further, an oxidizing gas such as air is supplied to the oxidizing electrode to cause an electrochemical reaction to generate power. Phosphoric acid fuel cells use phosphoric acid as the electrolyte. A cell usually has a thickness of several mm (mm) and an area of several thousand c.
At m 2 (square centimeters), several hundred such cells are stacked to form a stack. A manifold is attached to an end face of the stack, and a reaction gas is supplied to each cell.
【０００３】燃料電池は、反応ガスが各電極内の全面に
供給されると電圧が発生し、負荷をつながない状態では
約１Ｖ／単電池の開回路電圧となるが、燃料電池に負荷
を接続して負荷に流れる電流が多くなるに従い電圧は低
下する。一方、各電極には通常白金（Ｐｔ）触媒が使用
されるが、この触媒は高電圧、例えば０．８Ｖ／単電池
以上の電圧に長時間放置されると、触媒の活性が低下す
ることが指摘されている。In a fuel cell, when a reaction gas is supplied to the entire surface of each electrode, a voltage is generated. When a load is not connected, the voltage becomes about 1 V / open circuit voltage of a unit cell. As the current flowing through the load increases, the voltage decreases. On the other hand, a platinum (Pt) catalyst is usually used for each electrode. However, if this catalyst is left at a high voltage, for example, a voltage of 0.8 V / cell or more for a long time, the activity of the catalyst may decrease. It is pointed out.
【０００４】上記のように、燃料電池スタックは多数の
単電池を直列に積層して構成されるが、これに外部から
反応ガスを供給するとき単電池の積層位置によって反応
ガスの供給時期にズレが生じる。例えば、積層の上部と
下部とでは反応ガスの供給時間に相違が出る。燃料電池
は、反応ガスが不足する状態で強制的に電流が流れる
と、単電池の構造体であるカーボンの腐食反応が発生す
るので、その発生を極力防止することが必要となる。こ
のように、起動時にはスタックを構成する単電池間で反
応ガスの有無のバラツキが生じるので、この状態では外
部負荷と接続しないようにすることが肝要である。As described above, a fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a large number of cells in series, and when supplying a reaction gas from the outside to the fuel cell stack, the supply timing of the reaction gas varies depending on the stacking position of the cells. Occurs. For example, there is a difference in the supply time of the reactive gas between the upper part and the lower part of the stack. In a fuel cell, if a current is forced to flow in a state where the reaction gas is insufficient, a corrosion reaction of carbon, which is a structure of the unit cell, occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence as much as possible. As described above, at the time of start-up, the presence or absence of the reaction gas varies among the cells constituting the stack. In this state, it is important not to connect to the external load.
【０００５】いずれにしても、燃料電池の起動時に当た
っては、単電池が高電圧状態にならないようにするとと
もに、反応ガスが供給されないうちに外部負荷と接続し
ないようにする必要がある。しかるに、これまでは下記
（１），（２）のような方法が採られていた。 （１）単電池の開回路電圧が所定の電圧になったのを確
認してから、外部負荷を接続する。 （２）燃料電池の両極間にその途中に抵抗器と開閉器を
有する外部接続回路を設け、外部負荷接続までこの外部
接続回路に微小な電流を流し、単電池の電圧を下げつつ
所定時間経過後に外部負荷を接続する。In any case, when starting the fuel cell, it is necessary to prevent the unit cell from being in a high voltage state and to prevent connection with an external load before the reaction gas is supplied. However, hitherto, the following methods (1) and (2) have been adopted. (1) Connect an external load after confirming that the open circuit voltage of the cell has reached a predetermined voltage. (2) An external connection circuit having a resistor and a switch is provided between the two poles of the fuel cell, and a minute current flows through the external connection circuit until an external load is connected, and a predetermined time elapses while lowering the voltage of the unit cell. Connect the external load later.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかし、上記（１）の
方法では、単電池の電圧が高電圧になるので、頻繁に起
動を行なう場合や、外部負荷を接続するまでに時間を要
する機種では、触媒の活性が低下しやすいという問題が
ある。一方、（２）の方法では、外部接続回路に微小な
電流が流れていて、スタックの開回路の検知が容易でな
いので、外部負荷接続のタイミングが取りにくゝ、積層
数が多く各単電池へガスの供給時間にバラツキが生じや
すい機種では、反応ガスが供給されないうちに外部負荷
を接続してしまうケースも生じている。したがって、こ
の発明の課題は外部負荷を良好なタイミングで接続し得
るようにすることにある。However, in the above method (1), since the voltage of the unit cell becomes high, in the case of frequent start-up or a model requiring a long time to connect an external load, In addition, there is a problem that the activity of the catalyst tends to decrease. On the other hand, in the method (2), since a minute current flows in the external connection circuit and it is not easy to detect the open circuit of the stack, it is difficult to connect the external load, and the number of stacked cells is large. In a model in which the supply time of the gas tends to vary, an external load may be connected before the reaction gas is supplied. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to connect an external load with good timing.
【０００７】[0007]
【課題を解決するための手段】このような課題を解決す
るため、請求項１の発明では、外部から空気と燃料とを
供給される複数の単電池を積層して構成される燃料電池
に外部負荷回路を接続して起動するまで、少なくとも抵
抗からなる補助回路を接続する燃料電池の起動方法にお
いて、前記補助回路を流れる電流を検知し、所定の電流
値に達した時前記外部負荷回路を接続して起動するよう
にしている。According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell comprising a stack of a plurality of cells supplied with air and fuel from the outside. Until the load circuit is connected and started, in a fuel cell starting method in which an auxiliary circuit including at least a resistor is connected, a current flowing through the auxiliary circuit is detected, and when a predetermined current value is reached, the external load circuit is connected. And start it.
【０００８】また、請求項２の発明では、外部から空気
と燃料とを供給される複数の単電池を積層して構成され
る燃料電池に外部負荷回路を接続して起動するまで、少
なくとも抵抗からなる補助回路を接続する燃料電池の起
動方法において、前記補助回路の抵抗の両端の電圧を検
知し、所定の電圧値に達した時前記外部負荷回路を接続
して起動するようにしている。According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least the resistance until the external load circuit is connected to the fuel cell constituted by laminating a plurality of unit cells to which air and fuel are supplied from the outside and started is connected. In the starting method of a fuel cell to which the auxiliary circuit is connected, the voltage across the resistor of the auxiliary circuit is detected, and when the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage value, the external load circuit is connected and started.
【０００９】[0009]
【作用】燃料電池にガスが供給されて電圧が発生する
と、その電圧に比例して外部接続回路に流れる電流が増
加する。したがって、その電流値を測定することによ
り、スタックの発生電圧を正確に知ることができる。す
なわち、外部接続回路には固定抵抗が組み込まれている
ので、スタックの電圧が増加するのに従い電流が増加す
るが、その電流値と固定抵抗値とからスタック電圧を容
易に算出でき、反応ガスが充分にスタックに供給されて
いるかどうかを判断することができる。また、外部接続
回路に設けられている固定抵抗で生じる電圧降下を直接
測定することによっても、同様の検知が可能である。When a voltage is generated by supplying gas to the fuel cell, the current flowing to the external connection circuit increases in proportion to the voltage. Therefore, by measuring the current value, the generated voltage of the stack can be accurately known. That is, since a fixed resistor is incorporated in the external connection circuit, the current increases as the voltage of the stack increases.However, the stack voltage can be easily calculated from the current value and the fixed resistance value, and the reaction gas is reduced. It can be determined whether the stack is sufficiently supplied. The same detection is possible by directly measuring a voltage drop generated by a fixed resistor provided in the external connection circuit.
【００１０】[0010]
【発明の実施の形態】図１はこの発明の第１の実施の形
態を示すブロック図である。同図において、１は単電
池、２はスタック、３は負荷接続線、４は外部負荷、５
は外部負荷回路、６は外部接続回路（補助回路）、７は
開閉器、８は固定抵抗、９は電流検知器である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a cell, 2 is a stack, 3 is a load connection line, 4 is an external load, 5
Is an external load circuit, 6 is an external connection circuit (auxiliary circuit), 7 is a switch, 8 is a fixed resistor, and 9 is a current detector.
【００１１】すなわち、単電池１を多数積層してなる燃
料電池スタック２の正，負両極間に、負荷接続線３およ
び外部負荷４からなる外部負荷回路５を接続するととも
に、この外部負荷回路５と並列に開閉器７，固定抵抗８
および電流検知器９の直列回路からなる外部接続回路
（補助回路）６を接続する。電流検知器９はスタック２
に流れる電流を検出し、その電流値が所定の値になった
ら、反応ガスが充分にスタック２に供給されているもの
とし、外部負荷回路５内の図示されない開閉器を閉じ、
運転を開始（起動）する。そのため、図示は省略してい
るが、燃料電池スタック２と外部負荷４との間には通常
は直流−交流変換器が設けられるが、その場合は直流−
交流変換器が開閉器相当の役目を果たすものとし、燃料
電池スタック２に外部負荷４を直接接続する場合は、開
閉器に相当するものを外部負荷回路５に設けておくもの
とする。That is, an external load circuit 5 composed of a load connection line 3 and an external load 4 is connected between the positive and negative poles of a fuel cell stack 2 having a large number of unit cells 1 stacked. Switch 7 and fixed resistor 8 in parallel with
And an external connection circuit (auxiliary circuit) 6 comprising a series circuit of a current detector 9. Current detector 9 is stack 2
Is detected, and when the current value reaches a predetermined value, it is assumed that the reaction gas is sufficiently supplied to the stack 2 and a switch (not shown) in the external load circuit 5 is closed,
Start (start) operation. For this reason, although not shown, a DC-AC converter is usually provided between the fuel cell stack 2 and the external load 4, but in this case, a DC-AC converter is provided.
The AC converter plays a role equivalent to a switch. When the external load 4 is directly connected to the fuel cell stack 2, a switch equivalent to the switch is provided in the external load circuit 5.
【００１２】図２はこの発明の第２の実施の形態を示す
ブロック図である。同図からも明らかなように、この実
施例は電流検知器の代わりに電圧検知器１０を、固定抵
抗８に並列に設けた点が特徴である。すなわち、電圧検
知器１０により固定抵抗８の両端の電圧（電圧降下）を
検知するようにしたもので、その他は図１と同様なので
説明は省略する。FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. As is clear from FIG. 3, this embodiment is characterized in that a voltage detector 10 is provided in parallel with the fixed resistor 8 instead of the current detector. That is, the voltage (voltage drop) at both ends of the fixed resistor 8 is detected by the voltage detector 10, and the other components are the same as those in FIG.
【００１３】[0013]
【発明の効果】この発明によれば、外部接続回路（補助
回路）に流れる電流または固定抵抗の両端電圧を検知す
る、つまり電流，電圧特性にもとづくスタック特性に着
目するようにしたので、燃料電池スタックへのガス供給
状況を正確に把握することが可能になるという利点が得
られる。その結果、単電池が高電圧状態に放置された
り、反応ガスの不足した状態で外部負荷と接続すること
を防止できる。また、外部接続回路の電流とスタック電
圧よりスタックの開回路電圧を容易に推定できるので、
開回路電圧から検知できる項目であるスタック内で生じ
ているガスリークの発生状態なども簡単に検出できると
いう利点もある。According to the present invention, the current flowing in the external connection circuit (auxiliary circuit) or the voltage across the fixed resistor is detected, that is, the stack characteristic based on the current and voltage characteristics is focused on, so that the fuel cell is used. This has the advantage that the gas supply status to the stack can be accurately grasped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unit cell from being left in a high voltage state or being connected to an external load in a state where the reaction gas is insufficient. Also, since the open circuit voltage of the stack can be easily estimated from the current of the external connection circuit and the stack voltage,
There is also an advantage that the state of gas leak occurring in the stack, which can be detected from the open circuit voltage, can be easily detected.
【図１】この発明の第１の実施の形態を示すブロック図
である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】この発明の第２の実施の形態を示すブロック図
である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
１…単電池、２…スタック、３…負荷接続線、４…外部
負荷、５…外部負荷回路、６…外部接続回路（補助回
路）、７…開閉器、８…固定抵抗、９…電流検知器、１
０…電圧検知器。DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Single cell, 2 ... Stack, 3 ... Load connection wire, 4 ... External load, 5 ... External load circuit, 6 ... External connection circuit (auxiliary circuit), 7 ... Switch, 8 ... Fixed resistance, 9 ... Current detection Container, 1
0: Voltage detector.
Claims (2)
の単電池を積層して構成される燃料電池に外部負荷回路
を接続して起動するまで、少なくとも抵抗からなる補助
回路を接続する燃料電池の起動方法において、 前記補助回路を流れる電流を検知し、所定の電流値に達
した時前記外部負荷回路を接続して起動することを特徴
とする燃料電池の起動方法。1. A fuel in which an auxiliary circuit comprising at least a resistor is connected until an external load circuit is connected to a fuel cell constituted by laminating a plurality of unit cells supplied with air and fuel from the outside until startup. A method for starting a fuel cell, comprising detecting a current flowing through the auxiliary circuit and connecting the external load circuit to start when a predetermined current value is reached.
の単電池を積層して構成される燃料電池に外部負荷回路
を接続して起動するまで、少なくとも抵抗からなる補助
回路を接続する燃料電池の起動方法において、 前記補助回路の抵抗の両端の電圧を検知し、所定の電圧
値に達した時前記外部負荷回路を接続して起動すること
を特徴とする燃料電池の起動方法。2. A fuel in which an auxiliary circuit comprising at least a resistor is connected until an external load circuit is connected to a fuel cell constituted by laminating a plurality of unit cells supplied with air and fuel from the outside and started. A method for activating a fuel cell, comprising detecting a voltage across a resistor of the auxiliary circuit and connecting and starting the external load circuit when a predetermined voltage value is reached.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9083702A JPH10284104A (en) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-04-02 | Starting method for fuel cell |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9083702A JPH10284104A (en) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-04-02 | Starting method for fuel cell |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH10284104A true JPH10284104A (en) | 1998-10-23 |
Family
ID=13809837
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9083702A Pending JPH10284104A (en) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-04-02 | Starting method for fuel cell |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH10284104A (en) |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6329089B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2001-12-11 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for increasing the temperature of a fuel cell |
| JP2002151125A (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-05-24 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Abnormality detecting method for fuel cell and abnormality detecting device for fuel cell |
| US6582840B2 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2003-06-24 | General Motors Corporation | Fuel cell stack coolant conductivity sensor using differential voltage measurements |
| JP2005197123A (en) * | 2004-01-08 | 2005-07-21 | Sharp Corp | Fuel cell mounted type portable apparatus |
| JP2005222857A (en) * | 2004-02-06 | 2005-08-18 | Hitachi Ltd | Fuel cell power generation system |
| JP2006024546A (en) * | 2004-06-08 | 2006-01-26 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Operation method of fuel cell |
| JP2006147213A (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2006-06-08 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Fuel battery cell and its starting method |
| JP2006228553A (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-08-31 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Operation method for fuel cell |
| JP2007149574A (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-14 | Toyota Motor Corp | Fuel cell system |
| JP2008084704A (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2008-04-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Fuel cell system |
| JP2009205995A (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2009-09-10 | Toto Ltd | Fuel cell module |
| EP2571086A2 (en) | 2011-09-14 | 2013-03-20 | Azbil Corporation | Electric power generation system and gas measuring system |
| EP2645098A2 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2013-10-02 | Azbil Corporation | Electric power generating system and gas measuring system |
-
1997
- 1997-04-02 JP JP9083702A patent/JPH10284104A/en active Pending
Cited By (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6329089B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2001-12-11 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for increasing the temperature of a fuel cell |
| JP2002151125A (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-05-24 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Abnormality detecting method for fuel cell and abnormality detecting device for fuel cell |
| US6582840B2 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2003-06-24 | General Motors Corporation | Fuel cell stack coolant conductivity sensor using differential voltage measurements |
| JP2005197123A (en) * | 2004-01-08 | 2005-07-21 | Sharp Corp | Fuel cell mounted type portable apparatus |
| JP4704690B2 (en) * | 2004-02-06 | 2011-06-15 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Fuel cell power generation system |
| JP2005222857A (en) * | 2004-02-06 | 2005-08-18 | Hitachi Ltd | Fuel cell power generation system |
| JP2006024546A (en) * | 2004-06-08 | 2006-01-26 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Operation method of fuel cell |
| JP2006147213A (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2006-06-08 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Fuel battery cell and its starting method |
| JP2006228553A (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-08-31 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Operation method for fuel cell |
| JP2007149574A (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-14 | Toyota Motor Corp | Fuel cell system |
| JP2008084704A (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2008-04-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Fuel cell system |
| JP2009205995A (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2009-09-10 | Toto Ltd | Fuel cell module |
| EP2571086A2 (en) | 2011-09-14 | 2013-03-20 | Azbil Corporation | Electric power generation system and gas measuring system |
| EP2645098A2 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2013-10-02 | Azbil Corporation | Electric power generating system and gas measuring system |
| JP2013205106A (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2013-10-07 | Azbil Corp | Power generating system, and gas measuring system |
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